Shortly after the dust settled from the Montana gold rush, railroads started zigzagging their way across the state. As early as 1887, trains were blowing steam in northeast Montana, near present-day Culbertson, which sat just north of a bend in the Missouri River, tucked in amongst bluffs, aspens, and cottonwood trees. The river created a divide. The north side of the river had access to the railroad, the south side of the river, consisting mostly of farmland, was cut off for a large chunk of the year. A ferry operated during the summer months, but was shut down for the long winters, stranding the southern farmers and settlers. Winter brought ice to the river, and some, especially the more hardy and fearless, would cross on the ice, though, much like today, this would have been a dangerous undertaking due to the unpredictable currents in the river. A solution was needed.

In the 1920s, the US government implemented a program that matched state money in a push to build bridges. Things were looking promising for a bridge over the Missouri near Culbertson, though the money ran out shortly before construction was to begin. Locals were determined, however, and raised the matching funds themselves, through bonds and a grant from the railroad. By the time the money was collected, the Great Depression had reared its ugly head, causing the federal part of that program to collapse. Even though the Roosevelt administration was funding make-work projects like timber and concrete bridges, the Culbertson Bridge, a steel bridge, was excluded. Finally, in an act of Congress, the bridge was funded and a contract inked in 1933.

The Culbertson Bridge opened in September of 1934, the very same day the ferry stopped running. It was a huge success and not only solved a major issue for the region, but also served a key role in the Fort Peck Dam project. By the 1980s, the bridge was old and tired and was replaced with a modern bridge that still spans the Missouri River today.

The Culbertson Bridge Fishing Access Site is the last river access point before reaching the confluence of the Yellowstone River 30 miles downstream. Lewis and Clark experienced their first encounter with a grizzly bear near here. Lewis had to run for his life and jump into the river after his shot only enraged the bear. The expedition gained a new respect for the bruin after that. The access site provides a sweeping view of the Missouri River Breaks across the river.