Our first camp on the river was the peaceful paradise we had dreamed of for months. Keep a tidy camp When you pull into camp make a concerted effort to keep your camp and riverbank tidy. If you dont have a camp to yourself try to keep reasonably quiet. If possible, avoid camping near active bird nests in the spring. This incredible stretch of the Missouri River has been designated "Wild and Scenic," and a boat or canoe ride takes you through miles of incredible rock formations, worn down by time into fantastical shapes that resembles ancient fortresses, Roman columns, and towering rock walls. Toilet paper If you are using toilet paper, please dispose of it properly. Knee-high rubber boots are a handy addition to camp wear (not to be worn in the boat, thoughif you tip, they become anchors). Canoeing the river from Coal Banks Landing to Judith Landing was supposed to be one of the highlights of a cross country. There are 34 campsites available for campers of all ages. Yes, there are vault toilets at some select camps. The splendor of solitude is an almost forgotten value in our hyper-connected culture. Fort Peck Lake. By far the most popular float, taking in the scenic White Cliffs, expends two nights with the . You will be surrounded by massive bluffs, the river and beautiful scenery all around you. To only way to get to Hole in the Wall is by river, which means there are very few people. More succinctly the author of "A Float Down the White Cliffs Section of the Missouri River, July, 2002" described the LaBarge Rock area: The site of LaBarge Rock is not easy to visit. The disconnect from technologyso refreshing to read, think, and talk with each other. Sorry folks, but I wasn't impressed Take four days Coals Banks to Judith Landing or add in another 4 days and run all the way to Kipps Landing. Ultimate Guide to River Etiquette in the Upper Missouri River Breaks The 130 mile lake behind Fort Peck Dam is entirely within the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Area. No matter what you bring, come prepared for your whole group and talk before you get here. Coal Banks Landing Recreation Site is a free campground that has 13 campsites available for any type of camping. We learned about Lewis & Clark's time here on the river, took great hikes, and spent every day in majestic scenery. The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument covers almost 400,000 acres of Montana. Surrounded in a deep, peaceful silence perfumed by sagebrush, you may imagine cathedrals and castles in the rock bluffs and formations cradling the Missouri River or see visions of Native Americans, French, Spanish, and British voyageurs and Lewis & Clark exploring this river valley. UPPER MISSOURI RIVER BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT - Bureau of Land Management LaBarge Rock in Chouteau County, Montana (occasionally referred to as La Barge Rock) is a dramatic landform in the shape of a large rock column or pillar, rising 150 feet (46m) from waters' edge of the Missouri River. trip lengths may vary from one day to ten days or more. It's the perfect place for a beautiful, peaceful river float. There are steep slopes for the more advanced hiker, as well as flat, but still rocky terrain for someone who is a beginner or looking for a more relaxed hike. The North Shore Rivers Edge Trail East is a moderate trail that has been created mostly by the local biking associations. Tricks to find the perfect rig. Well worth the effort. Very big water and a long ways between places. 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The Corps of Discovery required six dugout canoes and two keelboats to carry supplies and provisions for their party of 33. Which means tons of poop and P. How far are the White Cliffs from Fort Benton? The average floater travels 20 miles per day. Missouri Breaks Back Country Byway - Central Montana The darker, denser igneous material of the injected rock is more resistant to erosion and weathering than the surrounding softer white sandstone and shale, so the harder igneous rock weathered out into distinctive land forms. Besides having a striking appearance, LaBarge Rock is located in a picturesque riverside setting which has attracted artists and photographers over two centuries. Luck was with us at the put-in, as three weeks of cold, wet spring storms ended that day. Down the Wide Missouri | Outside Bozeman With all the excitement around the upcoming 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery, it's a fine time to paddle the Breaks and see for yourself what's out there. #5. See my review under Missouri River Outfitters. February 4, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. EST A canoe and a kayak, its passengers stopped here for lunch, are the perfect craft for exploring the Missouri Breaks. Nicolle Fugere 15 March, 2023 F Neat Coulee on The Upper Missouri River Breaks, Paddle the Upper Missouri River: Fort Benton to Coal Banks Landing. I cannot say it enough, come prepared! Although there are many ways to see it, most people prefer to float, either in canoes or sea kayaks. We consulted with Missouri River Outfitters (MRO), and enjoyed a spectacular float Monday-Friday without seeing another person until takeout. Additionally, its remote setting combined with far flung access points make day use difficult. The most common way to visit the White Cliffs area, including LaBarge Rock is to float this section of the Missouri River. Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis and there are no reservations. They motor ahead of their clients and set up camp, cook etc. Know what you can and cant get away with on the rivers. Going kayaking with friends or family is such a great sport to learn and to enjoy. One of the best floats in America. This 40-50 mile ride, whether you chose to make it a loop by riding back on a main road, or make it an out-and-back ride on the inner roads has nice roads and great views. The Missouri River often floods in the spring and the last thing we want to worry about are human feces. The Breaks Story Map Friends of the Missouri Break's 2018 Big Sky Watershed Corps Member, Taylor Mudford, built this story map of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Kipp gets really busy with motorboat traffic starting September 15th. Getting in and out of the boat requires schlepping through mud on the riverbank. In-person support no matter where the road takes you. [4], In this area of the Missouri Breaks, along the Missouri River there were other intrusive emplacements which have weathered out from the surrounding white sandstone/shale formations, forming promontory features of dikes and sills, and stock. Yeah, what they said.its very much still a lake with a bit of current in this area. from this point I beheld the Rocky Mountains for the first time while I viewed these mountains I felt a secret pleasure in finding myself so near the head of the heretofore conceived boundless Missouri; but when I reflected on the difficulties which this snowey barrier would most probably throw in my way to the Pacific, and the sufferings and hardships of myself and party in thim, it in some measure counterballanced the joy I had felt in the first moments in which I gazed on them; The captains would not be deterred; they were west of the continental divide by late August and to the ocean by mid-November. Visitors enjoy a plethora of fun activities such as kayaking, hiking, fishing, floating down the Missouri River, and more. Still how Lewis and Clark described it. Try not spread out into other potential campsites. There will probably be a few other canoe'ers and there are also outfitters that run trips. Located on the National Historic Trail you will find James Kipp Recreation Area. Lastly, once you've reached your destination it may be important to know that several areas of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument can only be accessed by foot or water, not by vehicle. It may not display this or other websites correctly. "I was told that all the substance was in the ether of my essays, floating around in the empty space between lines of dialogue and paragraph breaks." Maddy Frank on memory and absence and the karst of Missouri. In 1994 my wife and I and another couple spent six cold, blustery April days backpacking along the northern shore of this section, taking in the spectacular White Cliffs area and ignoring the advice of the BLM ranger in Lewistown who told us You cant hike there! Theres a wealth of hiking and sightseeing to do among the ruins and rock formations. A float trip can be customized to suit the needs of anyone and if you love water, then a float trip would be a great way to get away from it all. 1. Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument | Outdoorsy The splendor of solitude is an almost forgotten value in our hyper-connected culture. Welcome tooutsidebozeman.com, southwest Montana's outdoor resource. Latitude/Longitude: 48.03166015, -110.2377386 . Boating regulations are minimal (unless you have a motor), and you can camp anywhere there is public land (although a lot of private land borders the river so make sure you know where you are). Be compact Your group should try to stay compact. The most popular trip goes from Coal Banks Landing (mile 40) to Judith Landing (about mile 85). Because of the isolation of the Missouri Breaks area LaBarge Rock and the White Cliffs appear today much as they did when seen by Lewis and Clark in 1804 on the outward leg of their journey of exploration. All hands-on deck everyone in your group should be working diligently to get on and off the river as quickly as possible. Acknowledge their presence- Make sure to greet other parties out there and say a simple hello. Be Prepared ALWAYS have a bucket of water and a stirring tool ready to go- you never know when you might need it. It is really helpful to know where others plan to camp and how many days they are on the river. I want to float this section of the river. Coalbanks Campground There are 3 launching points at Coal Banks. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. White Cliffs (Fort Benton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go We love to tell people that they are now on water time. Take a look at it sometime. The Missouri is a friendly river, accessible to intermediate-level paddlers. Ride Your Bike Near the Highwood Mountains. In this case you need to apply for a Special Recreation Permit by contacting the Fort Benton River Management Station at (877) 256-3252. Guided Canoe Trips in Montana | Missouri River Outfitters What a great way to unplug and appreciate nature's glory. Unfortunately, the cement ramp is unusable for most of the year due to the channel being too shallow. Never take more than one fire ring no matter how big your group is. may be purchased at the Lewistown BLM Field Office, Fort Benton Visitor Center, Coal Banks Landing, Judith Landing, or the James Kipp Recreation Area. Stick together- Your entire group should take out and put on at the same time. Just remember that help is good but telling people how to do it is not. No one hikes there. Still, this section in particular is best seen from the river, where you can drift along in sloth and comfort, gawking at the sheer spectacle of the Great Plains at its raw, unimproved best. I would really prefer to get in deep where Im less likely to run into people. "wildlife" along the river is minimal, unless you call 100's of cows wildlife. You can bring your own canoe and equipment or you can also rent it at a relatively low cost. The LaBarge Rock stock weathered out into the pillar shaped land form seen today. If you have the time, I suggest you hike to the top. I read Undaunted Courage last year, and after hearing Ambrose rave about the trip and say he's canoed it 10 times, I wanted to do it. When one is new to boating, it can be really intimidating learning those unwritten rules and etiquettes. The majority of recreation on the Missouri Breaks National Monument is focused along the Missouri River, with a total of 375,000 acres of public land. Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument By jet boat and prop boat . The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. The White Cliffs section of the river may be boated in one long day trip, from Coal Banks Landing (BLM mile-mark 41) to Judith Landing (BLM mile-mark 88) if a motorized boat is utilized,[17] or during a more relaxed float-and-paddle river expedition lasting several days. We however were near the end of our journey and by the next afternoon reached our vehicles at James Kipp Recreation Area. The White Cliffs area is a High Potential Historic Site on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you're looking to get out on the water on the boat, this may be the campground for you. There are no hookups for RVs, making it a perfect escape into nature. When is the best time of year to float the Missouri River Breaks? Its a nearly endless parade of avian species, from white pelicans, geese, herons, cormorants, and ducks to golden and bald eagles, osprey, and red-tailed and Swainsons hawks. To some this comes naturally because they grew up in the outdoor community. The next day we we're at Slaughter by lunch and instead of camping we went ahead to Judith, which was just a 2-3 hr trip. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. That means that everyone should use a provided bathroom to pee or pee in the river. Below is a quick reference guide on what to expect throughout the floating season. Historian Stephen Ambrose wanted the White Cliffs of the Missouri to be made a national park, and it's easy to see why. by communicating, it allows groups the opportunity to split up and spread out. The nearest put-in in Coal Banks Landing. Fishing in the mountains is one of the most relaxing activities you can do in Montana. Complete Paddler: A Guidebook for Paddling the Missouri River From The Headwaters to St. Louis, Missouri, David L. Miller, Farcountry Press, 2005, p.112 (for BLM Mile Mark reference) and p. 115 (for reference to LaBarge Rock), History, Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument, "Geology of Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument", Geology of the Missouri Breaks National Monument, Missouri Breaks River Co. page, describing facts of float trips (No evaluation or endorsement of this supplier of services is intended), Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club, Floating the Upper Missouri, by Nancy Anderson, Missouri Breaks River Co. page, describing facts of float trips. You can go boating, hunting, fishing, enjoy a nature hike, get out on the water to paddle, and more. There are a total of five acres to camp on and it is open year-round. The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument is a desolate and stunningly beautiful stretch of badlands in northwestern Montana bounding 149 miles of the Missouri River and remains largely unchanged since the Lewis and Clark Expedition travelled through in 1805 and 1806. For more information, feel free to contact us,Click herefor BLMs information on planning a river trip, or visit the Upper Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center in Fort Benton, Montana. When it is snowing or raining, you will not be able to drive on unsurfaced roads. Fire pits Along the Missouri River are rock and metal fire rings. It was named in honor of Captain Joseph LaBarge, a steamboat captain who cruised the Missouri River in the mid nineteenth century. Our online store has hundreds of products everything from coolers and tents to canoes and kayaks. Neat Coulee is a slot canyon in Central Montana that was formed by water erosion of the white sandstone cliffs. Fort Benton Canoe Launch- The yellow marks the long-term parking, blue marks the ramp and red marks shallow water. To access the East section of the North Shore Rivers Edge trail, you can start at either the Ryan Dam Trailhead, or the Sulphur Springs Trailhead near Morony Dam. Allow wind time in your itinerary and get off the river if its too intense. F loating the Missouri River is a very popular activity during the summer. Article Menu Quick Links Floating the Missouri - Overview It's an unforgettable experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher.