The river that you see before you was once known to the Blackfoot as Kinaksisaahti or “Little River”.
It was given its present name by Captain Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1805-1806, who described the river in his journal: "the water of this river possesses a peculiar whiteness, being about the color of a cup of tea with the added mixture of a tablespoonful of milk. From the color of its water we called it Milk River."
The Milk River is the northernmost major tributary of the Missouri, and thus represents the rough northern extent of the Mississippi Watershed. The small area drained by the Milk River in southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan is one of two areas in Canada that drain into the Gulf Of Mexico (The others being Big Muddy Creek and Poplar River watershed which extends into Canada in Saskatchewan.)
The area the river traverses through southern Alberta is rich in cultural histories as well as natural and ecological sensitive resources. Aboriginal use of areas along the river and adjoining coulees have been recorded back approximately 3500 years and strong evidence that use may extend back 9,000 years or more. The sandstone cliffs of the Milk River valley contain the largest concentration of Plains Indian rock art on the North American Plains. These rock art sites are protected by law with the majority of sites located within Writing on Stone Provincial Park.
The Milk River Natural Area, south and east of Foremost contains badlands that rival Drumheller in ruggedness, beauty and paleontological resources. Access by canoe is a great way to experience this area but getting your canoe and supplies out of the valley at the International Boundary IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. Access to this area by road (and dirt trail) is through the Pinhorn Grazing Reserve on the south side of the river. The roads and trails are rough and challenging when dry and impassible when wet.
Canoeing and rafting the Milk River is a popular activity throughout the spring and summer. Access to the river is available at the Town of Milk River, Gold Springs Park, Coffin Bridge, Weir Bridge and Writing on Stone Provincial Park. Overnight camping on the Milk is permitted at the Town of Milk River, Gold Springs Park, Poverty Rock, Writing on Stone Provincial Park, Deer Creek Bridge and Aden Bridge. This is the last easily accessible access or river exit before the Milk River crosses into the United States.