Buffalo Mirage Fishing Access is an entry point into the Yellowstone River near present-day Park City, west of Billings, Montana. Currently, the site provides a location for fishing, boating, and picnicking. William Clark and his detachment camped at this area for a week during their return voyage.

In July 1806, shortly after the Corps of Discovery split into two separate expeditions to explore more territory, Clark and his party set up camp near present-day Buffalo Mirage Fishing Access. The party stopped at this location from July 19 to July 24 to construct new canoes and hunt the bountiful supply of buffalo, elk, and other game in the area. The party found suitable timber to create two new canoes and continued to explore the Yellowstone River by water. While camped near Buffalo Mirage Access, Indians (probably Crow) stole about half of the group’s horses.

Shortly after the horse theft, Clark composed a speech to give the Indians should they meet any during their exploration of the Yellowstone River. This speech asserted the president of the United States as the “Great Father” of the Indians, criticized them for stealing the expedition’s horses, and demonstrated the American view of natives as “red children.”

Researched, written, and narrated by University of West Florida Public History Student Jonathan Harwood.