Missouri National Recreational River

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Aerial view of the Missouri River and surrounding landscape.
Aerial view of the Missouri River and surrounding landscape.
Sunken remains of the North Alabama steamboat appears only when water is low.
Sunken remains of the North Alabama steamboat appears only when water is low.
Scenic view of Missouri River on a sunny day
Scenic view of Missouri River on a sunny day
Park educational trailer
Educational trailer with painted pictures
A canoe loaded with gear sits quietly on a sandy river bank with blue sky above.
Get into nature by paddling the Missouri River.
Photos: National Park Service

About Missouri National Recreational River

Imagine a 100-mile stretch of North America's longest river, a vestige of the untamed American West. The Missouri National Recreational River is where imagination meets reality. Two free flowing stretches of the Missouri make up the National Park. Relive the past by exploring the wild, untamed and mighty river that continues to flow as nature intended.

Quick Facts

State South Dakota
Designation National Recreational River
State Code SD,NE
Weather Rapid weather changes are common along the Missouri National Recreational River corridor. Variations from season to season and from year to year are great. Characteristics of the climate are hot…

Location & Map

Missouri National Recreational River is located in South Dakota.

Operating Hours

The entire park includes the 39-Mile District and 59-Mile District. Both districts are open 24 hours, seven days a week.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Astronomy Stargazing Biking Road Biking Boating Camping Canoe or Kayak Camping Car or Front Country Camping Group Camping RV Camping Fishing Freshwater Fishing Food Dining Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Hands-On Citizen Science Hiking Front-Country Hiking Hunting and Gathering Hunting Living History Paddling Canoeing Canoe or Kayak Camping Kayaking Junior Ranger Program Playground Skiing Cross-Country Skiing Swimming Pool Swimming Freshwater Swimming Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Getting There

The National Park Service headquarters is located at 508 East Second Street in Yankton, South Dakota.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 508 East 2nd Street, Yankton, SD, 57078
Phone 605-665-0209
Email mnrr_visitorinfo@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Archeology Ruins Dams Engineering Explorers and Expeditions Forts Maritime Ships and Shipwrecks Migrations Military Infantry and Militia Monuments and Memorials Native American Heritage Transportation Bridges Roads, Routes and Highways Tragic Events Floods Wars and Conflicts Tribal Conflicts Westward Expansion Animals Birds Fish Climate Change Fire Foothills, Plains and Valleys Forests and Woodlands Deciduous Forests Geology Grasslands Prairies Night Sky Astronomy River and Riparian Rock Landscapes and Features Buttes Scenic Views Trails Water Trails Unique Species Rare Endangered Watersheds

Things To Do

Wildlife Watching in the MNRR

Wildlife Watching in the MNRR

Missouri National Recreational River is a great place to go to observe mammals in their native and wild habitat. Wild…

Stargaze at Spirit Mound

Stargaze at Spirit Mound

stargaze

Fishing in the MNRR

Fishing in the MNRR

Fishing is a main recreational activity in the Missouri National Recreational River.

Hunting in the MNRR

Hunting in the MNRR

Hunting & trapping is permitted in Bow Creek and Goat Island Recreation Areas in accordance with site-specific regulations.

Backcountry Camping in the MNRR

Backcountry Camping in the MNRR

Missouri National Recreational River offers primitive, Leave-No-Trace camping available at Bow Creek, Green Island, and Goat Island Recreation Areas.

Paddle the MNRR

Paddle the MNRR

Paddle the two free-flowing sections of the Missouri, North America's longest river, a vestige of the untamed American West.

Visitor Centers

Missouri National Recreational River Headquarters

The Missouri National Recreational River has a visitor contact station located inside their headquarters building in Yankton, South Dakota. Information about the park including junior…

Hours: Missouri National Recreational River is open every day of the year. The National Park Service operates a Visitor Contact Station inside their Yankton, South Dakota park headquarters building located at 508 East Second Street. The headquarters is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and all federal holidays.

Campgrounds

Bow Creek Primitive Camping

Primitive, Leave No Trace camping is allowed and free. Camp only in designated sites marked with brown camping signs and metal fire rings. Please call…

5 Sites

Goat Island Primitive Camping

Two designated tent camping only areas. The first (southern) campground area is in the process of being established. The second (northern) is targeted to be…

2 Sites

Green Island Primitive Camping

Green Island has five primitive tent campsites with fire rings. Two isolated tent sites on the east side of the island & three adjacent sites…

5 Sites

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