Missouri National Recreational River

About Missouri

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.

Hours

Getting there

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

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.

Things to do

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