missouri river motorboating

Bismarck, ND Baseball Team Announces Missouri River Motorboaters Rebrand

The bismarck larks will change their name for one game on july 27, 2023.

(Bismarck, ND) – In honor of summertime, pontoons and the mighty Missouri River, the Bismarck Larks baseball team of the Northwoods League will change their name to the Missouri River Motorboaters for one game on July 27.

The players and coaches will wear special-designed hats and jerseys for the game against the Rochester Honkers at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark Home of Dakota Community Bank & Trust Field.

Jerseys will be auctioned off during the game with all net proceeds benefiting a local charity. The team also has a variety of summer themed t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and other merchandise for sale now at mrmotorboaters.com.

“The Missouri River holds a special place in Bismarck’s heart as well as every other city the 2,341 miles of water passes through,” said Bismarck Larks Owner and CEO John Bollinger. “We wanted to create a brand that connected with our boat loving fans, but also fans from all over the country that love their summertimes on the water.”

The Motorboaters gives a nod to boat captains as the logo is designed with the motorboat engine as the character wearing sunglasses, a boat captain’s hat, and motoring a pontoon. Additionally, the pontoon boat’s paddle features a baseball bat knob and the colors are designed to give off a fun, summer vibe.

The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States beginning in Three Forks, Montana and stopping in Missouri where it connects to the Mississippi River. It passes through the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, as well as receives river water from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Learn and shop exclusive Missouri River Motorboaters gear at mrmotorboaters.com .

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Bismarck Larks

201 W Front Ave

Bismarck, ND 58504

(701) 557-7600

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Bismarck Larks to play as Missouri River Motorboaters

The collegiate summer level Bismarck Larks will rebrand as the Missouri River Motorboaters for one game this season. The temporary change is an homage to summertime, pontoons, and the longest river in the United States, the Missouri, per the team.

“The Missouri River holds a special place in Bismarck’s heart as well as every other city the 2,341 miles of water passes through,” said Bismarck Larks Owner and CEO John Bollinger. “We wanted to create a brand that connected with our boat loving fans, but also fans from all over the country that love their summertimes on the water.”

The suite of logos, created by John Worthen of Worthen Design, features colors “designed to give off a fun, summer vibe,” as well as a motorboat engine character wearing sunglasses and a captain’s hat while motoring a pontoon. A boat paddle that underscores the logo includes a baseball bat knob.

Bismarck’s home state of North Dakota is one seven US states that the Missouri River passes through, in addition to two Canadian provinces.

Jerseys will be auctioned off during the July 27 game with all net proceeds benefiting a local charity.

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Bismarck, ND Baseball Team Announces Missouri River Motorboaters Rebrand

June 14, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods) Bismarck Larks News Release

(Bismarck, ND) - In honor of summertime, pontoons and the mighty Missouri River, the Bismarck Larks baseball team of the Northwoods League will change their name to the Missouri River Motorboaters for one game on July 27.

The players and coaches will wear special-designed hats and jerseys for the game against the Rochester Honkers at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark Home of Dakota Community Bank & Trust Field.

Jerseys will be auctioned off during the game with all net proceeds benefiting a local charity. The team also has a variety of summer themed t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and other merchandise for sale now at mrmotorboaters.com.

"The Missouri River holds a special place in Bismarck's heart as well as every other city the 2,341 miles of water passes through," said Bismarck Larks Owner and CEO John Bollinger. "We wanted to create a brand that connected with our boat loving fans, but also fans from all over the country that love their summertimes on the water."

The Motorboaters gives a nod to boat captains as the logo is designed with the motorboat engine as the character wearing sunglasses, a boat captain's hat, and motoring a pontoon. Additionally, the pontoon boat's paddle features a baseball bat knob and the colors are designed to give off a fun, summer vibe.

The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States beginning in Three Forks, Montana and stopping in Missouri where it connects to the Mississippi River. It passes through the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, as well as receives river water from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Learn and shop exclusive Missouri River Motorboaters gear at mrmotorboaters.com.

• Discuss this story on the Northwoods League message board ...

Northwoods League Stories from June 14, 2023

• Bismarck, ND Baseball Team Announces Missouri River Motorboaters Rebrand - Bismarck Larks
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley Awarded Softball Equipment Through Share the Glove Initiative - Waterloo Bucks
• Express Score Early and Often to Split the Series - Eau Claire Express
• Dock Spiders Get Revenge on Mallards 5-1 For Fourth Win of the Season - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Bismarck Larks Stories

• Bismarck Larks Announce Staffing Updates
• The Larks Shake off Recent Road Trip and Secure Victory Over Mankato at Home
• From the Owner & CEO: A Reflection on the 2024 Season
• The Larks Complete Successful Sweep Over the Honkers
• Larks Set to Host Annual Clark's Birthday Party

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Missouri River Adventure Camp

Are you ready for a watershed adventure.

Explore the Missouri River by motorboat and by land! Be prepared to witness majestic birds, catch slimy fish, and investigate wondrous forest critters. Field trips will be around Columbia, Missouri and may include Rock Bridge State Park, Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, the River Center (formerly Katfish Katy's), Flat Branch Creek and motorboating on the Missouri River. Campers will gather at Waters-Moss Memorial Wildlife Area for a new adventure each day!

Read on for more details and be sure to check out our 2024 Missouri River Adventure Camp reflection and photo album .

Camp Details:

• Dates: 2025 dates coming soon!
• Location: Waters-Moss Memorial Wildlife Area
• Ages: 9-13 years old
• Pricing: $170 per camper

Education Programs

Volunteer with our education programs, learn more about missouri river adventure camp , program schedule.

Want to know what a typical day is like at Missouri River Adventure Camp? The schedule below outlines the variety of activities and experiences that range from motorboat rides, water coloring, stream exploration and a river clean-up. 

Monday: Welcome to Missouri River Adventure Camp

• Field Trip Location: Rock Bridge State Park
• Activities: Get to Know You Activities, Hiking, Stream Exploration and Missouri River Olympics. 

Tuesday: Connecting to the Missouri River

• Field Trip Location: Missouri River - Missouri River Center
• Activities: On-the-River Experience on Motorboats, Water Coloring, Outdoor Escape Room, and Missouri River Olympics. 

Wednesday: Behind the Scenes of the Missouri River 

• Field Trip Location: Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, Missouri River Center
• Activities: Birding, Fishing, Hiking, and Missouri River Olympics.

Thursday: Forces that Shape the Missouri River 

• Field Trip Location: Flat Branch Creek
• Activities: Local Creek Cleanup, Honeysuckle Removal, and Missouri River Olympics.

Friday: Connecting Others to the Missouri River

• Field Trip Location: Waters-Moss Memorial Wildlife Area
• Activities: Creative Art Project, Missouri River Olympics, Student Presentations & Closing Celebration 

This schedule could be subject to change due to weather and the availability of resources during the program.

Pick Up & Drop Off 

Each day will begin and end at the Waters-Moss Memorial Wildlife Area in Columbia, Missouri. Drop off will be from 7:45am–8:30am and pick up will be from 4:30pm–5:15pm. Simple activities and access to the playground will be provided during pick up and drop off times. Official Missouri River Adventure Camp activities will start and end between 8:30 am–4:30 pm. Please arrive promptly as we will often be traveling for field trips. 

Missouri River Creative Art Project

During the Missouri River Adventure Camps, students will work in partners to use art to communicate about a Missouri River related issue. At the end of their experience, students will present their Missouri River Creative Art Project to an audience of engaged Missouri River advocates. Family and friends are welcome to come and learn about what has sparked their student’s interest. The presentation will take place on Friday at Waters-Moss Memorial Wildlife Area. 

Registration Process

If you are applying for financial aid, please refer to the "Financial Aid" section below.

Tuition is $170 per student and includes activities plus two snacks. Students will be required to pack a lunch. 

• Registration opens spring 2025, through Columbia Parks & Recreation. You may call (573) 874-7460 and register for Missouri River Adventure Camp via telephone. Calling is highly encouraged and is the most user-friendly way to register.
• We will launch a registration link which will take you directly to the registration page on The City of Columbia's website. The activity number for Missouri River Adventure Camp is 303917-01. 
• After completing the enrollment/payment process through Columbia Parks & Recreation, you will receive an email from Missouri River Relief by the end of May. The email will include important camp information and a registration packet. The registration packet will include the following forms: camper information, camper medical and general risk release forms.

Please note Columbia Parks & Recreation's Activity and Program Refund Policy . 

Financial Aid

Financial aid is awarded based on the family's financial need, level of interest in learning more about the environment and the Missouri River, and ability to get to and from the camp each day. We have 5 financial aid awards, and by applying, you are not securing a spot at camp; often, by the time we award financial aid, our summer camp program is filled. 

To apply for financial aid, fill out the financial aid form (form will go live spring 2025) and click the "Submit Form" button.

We will begin awarding financial aid in mid-April and then continue making awards on a rolling basis until all available funds are awarded. We typically notify financial aid applicants of the amount we are able to award within a month of receiving an application.

If you have any questions, please contact our Education Director, Kristen Schulte at [email protected] or call 573-443-0292. 

Thank You to Our Partners

We would like to extend a Big Muddy thank you to our partners who help make running the Missouri River Adventure Camp possible. 

The Missouri Birding Society

Ready for Action?

8. Missouri River White Cliffs Power Boat trips

• INFORMATION

Missouri River White Cliffs

One Day Power Boat trips

By jet boat and prop boat

For the river adventurer or history buff with a limited amount of time available, Montana River Outfitters offers an exciting day trip through the most popular and beautiful section of the Wild and Scenic Missouri River through the White Cliffs section of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.

This beautiful and historic 47 mile stretch of river has changed little since Lewis & Clark marveled at its “scenes of visionary enchantment.” This section of the Wild and Scenic Missouri River from Coal Banks Landing to Judith Landing is famous to history buffs for its Lewis & Clark history, Native American significance, steamboat history, and for the famous artists who painted the White Cliffs area. White sandstone cliffs, volcanic intrusions, and amazing rock formations still fascinate present day explorers. This is a relatively calm water trip providing ample time for relaxation and exploration. Experience firsthand the enchantment of this area with hikes to old homesteads, Native American sites, and spectacular geological formations.

Enjoy our comfortable and exciting one day, scenic excursions by motorized boats through the beautiful White Cliffs area in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.   We generally use jet boats, but occasionally use motorized inflatables or prop boats as well.

From September 16 through June 14, we travel both down and upstream and can travel faster, allowing either a shorter duration trip or offer more time for exploring and hiking.

From June 15 to September 15 upstream travel is not allowed, and there is a no-wake speed limit.  During this timeframe we offer trips by motorized boats down river only.  Since we are required to travel moderately slow, this trip will take at least 8 hours, plus whatever time we take for lunch, hikes and the road trip back to your vehicle. This results in an exciting, enjoyable and very full day adventure.

Our trips may meet at Great Falls, Fort Benton or Coal Banks Landing, and occasionally at Judith Landing, with transportation provided back to the meeting location.  We generally begin at 8:00 AM and try to complete the trip by 5:00 PM.  A delicious lunch is provided along with soft drinks and water.  Since most trips are custom trips, we can often adjust launch and meeting times somewhat. There are several vault toilets along the way, and a portable toilet is also available when needed.

Maximum capacity for our jet boat is 6 guests of standard size.  At times we may need to reduce the number of passengers.  We try to tailor trips to individual needs or desires as much as possible, however, we have to rely on the boat captain to determine schedule modifications due to timing, or weather or water levels.

$1500.00 per day for 1 to 6 people from June 15 through September 14. Discounts available during the off season.  (Pleas contact us to find launch dates)

Please contact us to find launch dates, book a trip, or for more information.

Or, check out our multi-day trip landing page for more information on this section of the river.

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Boating on the Missouri River

*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

If you are in the middle of the country then boating down the Missouri River might be on your bucket list. In this article I will answer some of the more common questions about the Missouri River and hopefully give you some insight for your boating trip down the Missouri. 

Where Does the Missouri River Start and End?

The Missouri River starts in Brower’s Spring, Montana and ends at the Mississippi River north of St. Louis. The Missouri flows 2,540 miles until it empties into the Mississippi River. 

There is a debate whether the Missouri River is longer than the Mississippi River and it honestly depends on where you think the rivers start. If you search online:

Is the Missouri River longer than the Mississippi river? 

You will find a variety of answers to that question. If you go to google right now it says that the Mississippi is longer than the MIssouri! But is that correct? 

According to the USGS the Missouri River is 2,540 miles long while the Mississippi River is 2,340. That makes the MISSOURI RIVER the longest river in the United States! So how does the almighty Google get that wrong? 

The problem is the answer changes depending on how you measure the start of the rivers but according to the United States Geological Survey  the MISSOURI RIVER is longer! 

Does the Missouri River Flow North?

When I was first researching the Missouri River this was one of the questions I came across. I of course laughed! “Rivers don’t run north,” I thought. It turns out I was wrong! 

The Missouri River does run north! If you look at the map below you can see where the Missouri turns and goes north before then going southeast again. 

How Much of the Missouri River Is Navigable?

Considering the above information, the next obvious question is, how far is the Missouri River navigable? 

Unfortunately, how much of the MIssouri River is navigable depends entirely on which boat you are using. The upper 1,806 miles of the Missouri are really only navigable by smaller boats like kayaks or canoes assuming you are trying to travel the entire distance. 

There are many places along the Missouri River or lakes where you can use a houseboat or powered boat but you can’t take those boats all the way down the river for one simple reason, dams! 

There are 6 dams spread throughout the upper Missouri River that don’t have locks. That means to continue down the Missouri you have to carry your boat around the dam and relaunch it in the water below. With a canoe or kayak this is an inconvenience. With a houseboat or any other type of boat this is impossible (unless you are Superman!). 

These dams without locks make traveling down the entire Missouri River impossible except for those smaller boats that you can carry or drag around the dams. There are multiple stretches of the Missouri that are 200+ miles in between dams. 

You could certainly use power boats along those stretches but you can’t take them to the next section of the river without taking the boat out of the water. 

Since most of the upper Missouri is allowed to meander and isn’t taken care of by anyone the section from Fort Benton to Sioux City can vary in depth so even if you are using a canoe or kayak you do need to watch out for sandbars and sucken debris while you are traveling. 

From Sioux City to St Louis, the Missouri River is channeled out so those 734 miles will have no problem handling a boat no matter what the size. That section of the river is often used for barges transporting items from Nebraska/Iowa to St Louis as well points in between. 

Can you Boat on the Missouri River? 

Yes, you absolutely can boat on the Missouri River! How much of the river you can boat on is dependant on the time of year and what type of boat you have. As mentioned above, the entire Missouri River is open to boat traffic but portions of it will be too shallow to take larger boats on and only a flat bottom boat or kayak/canoe would work well. 

You can boat many different sections in between the dams as well so as long as you aren’t trying to boat down the entire Missouri River there are many places available to take your boat out. 

The time of year can also have some effect on where you can boat as well. Certain cities along the river close off river access when the river is flooding. If you are planning to travel the Missouri River during springtime be sure to check with each city along your route to make sure that the marinas etc. are open or if it is legal for you to boat through. 

Can you Boat the Entire Missouri River?

Knowing that you can boat the Missouri River is great but what if you want to boat the entire river, is that possible? 

Yes, it is possible to boat the entire Missouri River but you would have to change boats at some point during the journey.

The upper section of the river is only deep enough for a canoe or kayak. There are also six dams that don’t have a lock on the top portion of the river so you would have to carry your boat along the shore and then relaunch it once you get to the bottom of the dam.

Once you reach Sioux City you can then use a power boat for the remainder of the trip. You do have to be careful as there are many places that have sand bars or debris that could damage your boat or motors.

The time of year can be a factor as flooding on the river can introduce a lot more debris and some areas can become unnavigable or even be closed to recreational boats and barges.

Are There Barges on the Missouri River? 

If you are going to boat down the Missouri you are probably wondering what kind of other boat traffic you will encounter. Barges are one of those vessels that you will want to be sure to steer clear of as their wake can cause issues if your boat sits lower in the water. 

Yes, there are barges on the Missouri River. During flooding, the river can become closed to barge traffic in specific areas. For example in June of 2019 the US Coast Guard shut down the Missouri River to all boat traffic including barges and recreational traffic due to flooding. It was closed from St. Louis to Sioux City for a total of 750 miles that was closed.  Source

Can you Float the Missouri River?

The Missouri River does a lot of meandering and flows into a variety of lakes in the upper portions which makes simply drifting down the river a VERY slow process. Can it be done? Yes, it certainly can but I personally wouldn’t recommend just floating.

Many people canoe or kayak the Upper MIssouri as there are many areas where you can go for 100-150 miles without encountering rough water. That meandering section or lakes would be difficult to float down but with amazing scenery it is excellent to paddle down. 

Floating is possible on the lower Missouri River as the current will normally run 3-5mph but there is a lot of barge and large boat traffic so floating that section is an option but avoiding those large boats while simply floating would be difficult to do. 

Best Boat for the Missouri River

For the upper Missouri River, your best boat choice would be a kayak or canoe. You can easily pull them out and carry them around the dams while also traveling at a decent rate. Once you reach Sioux CIty below the Gavins Point Dam you can use any boat you like as those 734 miles are made to handle large barges.

If you want to use a houseboat, speedboat, or just a fishing boat, all of them will work just fine on the lower Missouri River. Being that this website is all about houseboats that’s obviously the boat that I would choose for your journey but some people prefer moving much faster than a houseboat will allow. 

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Matthew Robbs

I love the outdoors and especially spending time with my family. Whether on a boat or at the beach, my happy place is near the water.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Are boater guides available (maps)? Boater guides are available for the area between Fort Benton and Judith Landing (river miles 0-88.5), and between Judith Landing and James Kipp Recreation Area (river miles 88.5-149). The water proof guides provide river miles, land ownership, topography and developed campsite locations. Each guide sells for $4.00. These guides can be purchased by a check or money order payable to the DOI/BLM; send to BLM, P.O. Box 1389, Fort Benton, MT 59442. Or call the BLM Fort Benton River Management Station for credit card purchases at (877) 256-3252.

Is drinking water available? Yes, there is potable water at Coal Banks Landing Access Site (river mile 41.5) and James Kipp Recreation Area (river mile 149). There are no other potable water sources on public land. The BLM recommends you bring adequate drinking water (one gallon per person per day).

Can the water be filtered? This 149-mile section of the Upper Missouri is not meeting drinking water standard due to nutrients, flow alteration, pathogens, sediment, suspended solids and other inorganics and siltation. Many of these contaminates can be removed by the hand-held filters on the market today. However, they may not be effective in removing herbicides and pesticides. The potential for runoff from adjacent agricultural lands to contain herbicides and pesticides is why BLM recommends carrying drinking water rather than relying on filtration. Also, the potential for many other industrial and agricultural contaminates, and the wide variety of hand-held filters and their effectiveness means there is no guarantee your particular filter will be safe. Carrying water is the only way you can be sure of its quality. For more information, contact the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901, 406/444-4820 or at www.deq.mt.gov.

Is a permit required?   Presently no permit is required for a non-commercial float on the Upper Missouri unless your group size is greater than 30. In this case you need to apply for a Special Recreation Permit by contacting the Fort Benton River Management Station at (877) 256-3252.

Do you Restrict group size?  Seasonal Restriction of Group-Size for Launching at Coal Banks Landing and Judith Landing. (15 JUN thru 1 AUG): From June 15 to August 1 at Coal Banks Landing and Judith Landing, groups larger than 20 people may only launch on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

When is a trip considered commercial?  The BLM’s Special Recreation Permit policy defines commercial use in several ways. In general it is defined as recreational use of public lands and related waters for business or financial gain. In addition, BLM’s definition of commercial use includes, "when any person, group, or organization receives money, or obtains goods and services, as compensation from participants in recreational activities…when anyone collects a fee that is not strictly a sharing of expenses for the purpose of the activity, service, or use." For example, a non-profit organization advertises guided trips on the Missouri. They collect the advertised fee from those who would like to participate. If a portion of the fee pays a trip leader or guide, or goes to support an organization, foundation, or other cause, (i.e. is not strictly a sharing of expenses between trip participants) the use is considered commercial.

Is registration mandatory?   No. However, all boaters are encouraged to register before they begin their trip. This allows the BLM to gather accurate visitor-use statistics to help better manage the river and can be vital in the case of an emergency. Boaters can register at the Fort Benton Fairgrounds, the Fort Benton Visitor Center, Wood Bottom, Coal Banks Landing, Judith Landing and James Kipp Recreation Area. 

Is emergency assistance available?   Search and Rescue is the responsibility of the local counties. In addition, BLM Park Rangers and Law Enforcement Rangers frequently patrol the river. Please note, emergency response times will be determined by your location, your ability to contact the county or BLM and the accessibility of the area. Cell phones provide minimal reception at most river locations. In some areas reception is improved by hiking up to the rim. Satellite phones provide the best reception.

Are there hiking trails?   There are no established trails along the river corridor. Dispersed hiking can be enjoyed anywhere on public lands. If hiking the sandstone cliffs along the river, take caution for these areas are fragile and crumble easily.

Are commercial trips available?   Yes. The BLM Fort Benton River Management Station can provide a current list of Authorized Outfitting and Vending Services, which includes shuttle services.

Do campsites have to be reserved?  Currently there is no campsite reservation system. Campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Where is it permissible to camp?  You can camp in developed campgrounds or at dispersed undeveloped sites on public land anywhere along the river corridor. Landowner permission is required to camp on or access private lands.

Is camping allowed on private lands below the high-water mark?   Under the Montana Stream Access Law, the public may use rivers and streams for recreational purposes up to the ordinary high-water marks. Although the law gives recreationists the right to use rivers and streams for water-related recreation, it does not allow them to enter posted lands bordering those streams or to cross private lands to gain access to streams. Complete rules are available at any Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office or http://fwp.mt.gov/fish/ .

Is camping allowed on the islands?   Yes. However, camping on islands is discouraged from April 1 to July 31 to protect nesting birds.

Are there rapids?   Yes. The rapids along the Upper Missouri are categorized as Class I. Class I rapids are defined as: easy; fast moving with riffles and small waves, few obstructions; easily avoided; low risk; easy self-rescue. Although the surface of the river appears placid and lazy, boaters should be aware hazards such as submerged rocks, tree snags and powerful undertows lurk beneath this surface.

How fast is the river flowing and what is the stream flow?  The average mid-summer current moves at 3½ mph. Current stream flow, displayed in cubic feet per second, can be viewed on the USGS website: http://mt.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/current?type=flow . There are monitoring sites at Fort Benton, Virgelle (near Coal Banks Landing) and Landusky (downstream from James Kipp Recreation Area).

What type of watercraft is best suited for this river ?  Canoes or kayaks are the preferred craft. Rafts and driftboats are not recommended due to the generally slow current and the potential for upriver winds. For motorized use, jetboats or other shallow draft boats are preferred because of shallow waters, frequent gravel and mud bars and poor water clarity. If you are planning a trip with a motorboat and are unfamiliar with the river, please contact the BLM at 877-256-3252 (toll free) or the Chouteau County Sheriff at 406-622-5451.

What is the average number of miles paddled per day? The average floater achieves 15-20 miles per day. Mileage is dependent on weather conditions and personal ability.

Is a personal floatation device required?   Approved personal floatation devices are required for every boater and must be readily available. Children under 12 must wear a life vest at all times.

Can cell phones be used on the river?   There is minimal reception at most locations on the river. In some areas reception is improved by hiking up to the rim. Satellite phones provide the best reception.

What kind of weather can be expected?  Extremes in weather can be experienced while floating the Upper Missouri. Snowstorms can occur at anytime during the floating season, especially late spring and early fall. Take time to plan for the worst possible conditions if you go in May, June, September or October. Sudden violent thunderstorms, frequent in the summer months, can plummet temperatures 20° to 50° in minutes and create dangerous conditions along the river including lightning, high winds and hail.

Are shelters available?   There are primitive 3-sided wooden shelters available at Hole-in-the-Wall and Slaughter River campsites. No other shelters are available on public land.

Are portable toilets mandatory? There is a mandatory portable toilet regulation for anyone camping overnight between Fort Benton and James Kipp Recreation Area. The portable toilet must be either a washable, reusable toilet system that allows for the carry-out and disposal of solid human waste via an authorized sewer system or an approved degradable bag system specifically designed for human waste disposal.

Are campfires allowed?   The BLM recommends using existing metal fire rings for open fires. In sites with no metal fire rings we recommend the use of a gas stove. The BLM may issue fire restrictions at anytime depending on conditions. Be sure to check with the Fort Benton River Management Station concerning possible fire restrictions prior to departure.

Are there trash dumpsters?   The BLM promotes the Leave No Trace principle of pack-it-in, pack-it-out. Currently dumpsters are available at Coal Banks Landing, Judith Landing and James Kipp Recreation Area for trash disposal.

Will I see cattle on public land?   Yes. The BLM manages the river under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield. These principles require the BLM to preserve natural and cultural resources while providing for multiple uses such as livestock grazing as well as recreation.

Are motorized craft allowed?  Since 1976 there have been seasonal boating restrictions on the "wild and scenic" segments of the Upper Missouri National Wild & Scenic River.

Open Segments (In these segments, motorized travel upstream and downstream is allowed all year long)

• Fort Benton to Pilot Rock (river mile 0 to 52)
• Deadman Rapids to Holmes Council Island (river mile 84.5 to 92.5)

Seasonal Restricted Segments (15 JUN thru 15 SEP)

• Pilot Rock to Deadman Rapids (River Mile 52 to 84.5)__Motorized watercraft travel downstream only at no-wake speeds: DAILY (Sunday thru Saturday)
• Holmes Council Island to Fred Robinson Bridge (River Mile 92.5 to 149)

Motorized watercraft travel downstream only at no-wake speeds:

THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY

No Motorized watercraft travel:

SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

In these segments, upstream travel by motorized watercraft is limited to administrative, emergency or law enforcement watercraft only. A no-wake speed is defined as a speed where no white water occurs in the path of the vessel or in waves created by the vessel.

Is fishing permitted? If so, what species can be expected?   Yes, fishing is permitted. A Montana State resident or non-resident fishing license is required. Common sportfish available include; Walleye, sauger, northern pike, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, shovelnose sturgeon and paddlefish.

What type of wildlife will I see along the river? Mule and Whitetail Deer, Pronghorn Antelope, Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Coyotes, Mountain Lions, Red Fox, Badger, Raccoon, Skunk, Beaver, Porcupine, Muskrat, Prairie Dogs, numerous waterfowl, songbirds, raptors and reptiles.

What is the best method for extinguishing a campfire?   A properly extinguished fire needs to have ample water poured on it and then stirred.

Suggestion: Consider cooking with a cook stove instead of building a campfire. They are much more efficient and leave a minimal environmental impact.

Should trash be burned in the campfire? Emissions from burning trash can be harmful and embers can waft into the air creating potential fire situations (especially toilet paper). All trash including food scraps should be packed out.

How should dishwater be disposed?   Dishwater needs to be strained and then scattered throughout an area 200 feet from the river. The strained materials need to be packed out.

Is it best to spread a large group out at a campsite or concentrate the use? Concentrate use as much as possible. This action will reduce impacts to the site as well as provide other groups the opportunity to enjoy one of the sites. Suggestion: When camping at one of the developed campsites (i.e. Eagle Creek, Hole-in-the-Wall, or Slaughter River) concentrate your use around one site or fire ring. At Eagle Creek tents can be set up in the bench behind the grove of trees. This action will concentrate use as well as eliminate the danger of camping under the unstable limbs of the cottonwood trees.

Do power boaters or floaters have the right-of-way on the river? Although floaters have the right-of-way on the river, both groups share the Upper Missouri and should be respectful of each other. Suggestion: At low-water levels floaters should be aware power boats can only travel in narrow channels in some sections of the river. As a courtesy, floaters should try to group together, pull to one side of the river and allow power boats to pass by. Power boaters should be cautious and courteous when passing other boats by slowing down and giving them a wide berth. Further, power boaters should also slow to a "no-wake" speed at docks and boat landings.

What is proper boat launch etiquette? During peak season, the boat launches can get quite busy. Some suggestions to alleviate some of the congestion:

Be patient and courteous.

Prepare your gear and deliver any "pre-trip" talk before you get on the ramp.

Mentally divide the ramp into halves and choose one side or the other to drive your vehicle down so the other side can be utilized as well.

If you need to leave your gear while running a shuttle vehicle, concentrate your gear and position it out of the way of launch traffic.

What is the best method for groups to travel down the river? Keep your group as compact as possible and have a lead boat and a sweep boat that everyone stays in between. A guideline for your group to follow is to not get further apart than half the width of the river. We suggest this because of the following reasons:

Emergency situations could occur (i.e. boating accidents or threatening weather) without the trained individuals present to administer aid or the needed gear to weather the situation.

Smaller groups are seeking opportunities to be out of sight and sound of other groups.

Motorized craft (especially jet boats) have an easier time passing a compact group rather than numerous individuals spread out down the river.

Suggestion: If strong winds prevail, you might want to consider lashing boats together. Also, if you have paddlers struggling to keep up, they might have to be towed behind another boat.

What hazards should I be aware of? Sudden, violent thunderstorms

Sallow hole: A natural cavern formed in the surface that channels water underground. These clay caverns get overgrown with brush and accumulate tumble weeds until they are hard to see.

Cottonwood tree limbs - they can break easily. Camps should be located away from trees.

Strong winds and rapidly changing weather conditions

Heat exhaustion

Submerged rocks, tree snags and dangerous undertows underneath the surface of the water.

Rattlesnakes

Crumbly, fragile sandstone cliffs

2 ferry crossings (river mile 39.1 and 101.8) – beware of low-hanging cables and strong undercurrents near upstream side of ferry

Hypothermia

Old homesteads – beware of rusty nails, barbed wire and rattlesnakes

Cactus, poison ivy and hemlock

Emergency assistance  BLM Park Rangers and Law Enforcement Rangers frequently patrol the river. Please note: emergency response times will be determined by your location, your ability to contact the county or BLM and the accessibility of the area. Cell phones provide minimal reception at most river locations. In some areas reception is improved by hiking up to the rim. Satellite phones provide the best reception. Search and Rescue is the responsibility of the local counties.

Cooper's Landing, MO

Full-service Marina, Campground, Live Music Venue

Full Service Marina

Whether your shoving off, pulling out, fuelling up, or just dropping in for a little visit, we have Missouri River boaters covered. Our full service marina offers a boat dock, concrete boat ramp, and the only fuel pump on the Missouri River between Saint Louis and Kansas City.

Boat Ramp Hours:

Sunday – Saturday, 9am-9pm. E-mail us or speak with the General store if you would like to use it outside of regular operating hours. Closed for special events.

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 1 (573) 657-1299

Boat Ramp Fees:

Our Boat Ramp is free to the public. However we do not allow boat trailer or truck parking on our lot. We apologize for any inconvenience.

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Take to the water for a day full of memories on Missouri River Country’s lakes and rivers. Whether your speed is epic adventuring or relaxing escapes, there are boating options for everyone.

Cruise in a speed boat at Fort Peck, or ride in style in a Pontoon boat. Kayak the lakes or rivers, or hit the water by canoe. The horizon is the limit.

Boating Access Points

Fort Peck Marina 18 miles southeast of Glasgow on the Missouri River 406.526.3442

Rock Creek Marina 32 miles southeast of Fork Peck on Montana Highway 24 406.485.2560

Hell Creek Marina 25 miles north of Jordan 406.557.2345

Fort Peck Dredge Cuts 5 miles northeast of Fort Peck on Highway 117

Duck Creek 2 miles northwest of Fort Peck on reservoir 406.228.3700

School Trust 6 miles northeast of Fort Peck off Highway 117

Lewis and Clark 6 miles southeast of Wolf Point on Highway 13 406.228.3700

Culberston Bridge 3 miles southeast of Culbertson on Highway 16 406.228.3700

Snowden Bridge 14 miles northwest of Fairview on County Road

Elk Island 1 mile north of Savage on Highway 16, East 2 miles on County Road 344 406.234.0900

Gartside Reservoir 1 mile north of Crane Highway 16, west 1 mile on County Road 116 406.234.0900

Seven Sisters 1 mile east of Crane on County Road 115 406.234.0900

Sidney Bridge 1-1/2 miles south of Sidney on Highway 16, 1-1/2 miles east on Highway 23 406.234.0900

There’s nothing quite like a day on the water in Missouri River Country. Make the most of it by recreating responsibly and staying safe as you explore.

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