Basics
- River:
- Missouri River
- Class:
- Class I+
- Suitability:
- Canoe
- River Length
- 150 miles
- Time:
- 1 - 8 days
- Season:
- May to September
Description
Steeped in western history and spectacular geology, the Wild & Scenic Upper Missouri River is an incredible destination for visitors to central Montana looking to get away from it all. The Missouri River has been the lifeblood of this landscape for hundreds of years, providing for the Native Americans that once inhabited its banks, giving passage to Lewis and Clark, and becoming a major trade route and home to hopeful homesteaders. Though there is not much whitewater action on the Missouri, a day, overnight or weeklong canoe trip along this river is a wonderful way to explore and enjoy the beauty of ‘Big Sky Country’.
Traveling over 150 miles in length with several put-in and take-out options, the Missouri flows through the badlands of the Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument and past the surreal looking White Cliffs that puzzled Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery on their journey down this same river over two hundred years ago. Lewis and Clark spent a good deal of time upon this stretch of the Missouri and the river flows through the Lewis and Clark National History Trail.
Trips upon the Missouri are leisurely and can include several side hikes to enjoy the sweeping vistas of this area of Montana. Visitors can enjoy commercially run canoe trips varying in length from a day to over a week from mid-spring to fall.
