Giant Springs flows as it did when Lewis and Clark first saw it

On June 18, 1805, William Clark of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition came upon Giant Springs on the banks of the Missouri River in north-central Montana. Ever since, untold numbers of visitors, retracing the expedition's route, have found Giant Springs to be the pleasant spot described 200 years ago.

"We proceeded on ... to the largest fountain or spring I ever saw," Clark wrote, "and doubt if it is not the largest in America known."

Today a state park, complete with picnic areas, a visitors center and fish hatchery occupy the site that thrilled Clark. Of course, Indians who passed through...