Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

All clear. The managing agency, the National Weather Service and wildfire reporting show no current alerts.

Overview

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.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

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

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

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

Getting there

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

Visitor centers

  • Missouri National Recreational River Headquarters

Campgrounds

  • Bow Creek Primitive Camping (5 sites)
  • Green Island Primitive Camping (5 sites)
  • Goat Island Primitive Camping (2 sites)

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 summers and cold winters. Sunshine is abundant, particularly in the summer months. Average annual rainfall is 25 inches. Thunderstorms can be dangerous and visitors should be prepared for them, especially from June until late August. Winter snowfall averages 34 inches annually.

Phone: 605-665-0209

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Sunken remains of the North Alabama steamboat appears only when water is low.
Remains of a sunken steamboat in Missouri River. · NPS Photo
Scenic view of Missouri River on a sunny day
View of Missouri River · NPS Photo
Park educational trailer
Park trailer · NPS Photo
A canoe loaded with gear sits quietly on a sandy river bank with blue sky above.
All alone with my canoe · NPS Photo

Pair it with