Birding Intensive | 4 days / 3 nights
Stay tuned for 2024 dates
Featuring our dear friend & expert ornithologist, Rob Wilson.
Robert Wilson is a teacher and biologist from Salt Lake City. He has studied migratory birds from the Arctic Ocean to the gulf coast. He is presently involved with the conservation of Great Salt Lake and its abundant bird life. Robert made his first canoe trip down the Missouri River in 2016 and has enjoyed returning to float with his friend Haley and Brett almost every year since.
Why the Breaks? Well, as Rob once said at a campsite with a particularly impressive grove of mature cottonwood trees on a misty morning, “I hear more birds than some jungles I have been in!”
Exploring Conservation: Adventuring through this magnificent landscape necessitates discussions of conservation and future management goals. Together with the expert knowledge of Rob and our dedication to advocating for this important ecosystem, this trip will feature topics including, bird species conservation, habit, riparian area health and historical perspectives. The most important issues we will highlight include the restoration of cottonwood groves along the riparian area and prairie ecosystem restoration.
Trip Details
Montana’s Badlands aka “The Missouri River Breaks” is teeming with bird life during the spring, from resident prairie species and raptors to magnificent migratory species. We will take our time, explore and enjoy the rich wildlife of this river corridor.
This section is far less traveled, wilder and absolutely stunning. The Monument borders expand significantly as the landscape steepens, becomes more rugged and far reaching. Visit several in-tact homesteads, catch sight of trophy-size Bighorn Sheep, cross the Nez Perce Historic Trail, explore dinosaur bone beds and revel in the multi-colored, vast landscape. Hike above the river at various points to absorb the magnificent view.
Click here to learn more about the Breaks.
Difficulty level:
Appropriate for all ages, This trip is certainly an adventure. However, the Upper Missouri is a flat water river with no rapids. Plus, we are there to help!
Overview
Every day we canoe between 10-21 miles. We offer optional (but amazing) hikes every day ranging from a short jaunt up a hill to a bit longer hike to a viewpoint or to a homestead.
We provide all necessary camping equipment, gourmet meals (locally sourced or food from our own garden or that we foraged, hunted or fished), expert guides and as much historical, geological and wildlife interpretation you can handle.
General Information
$1400 per adult
Limit to 10 spots!
Deposit requirement:
We require a $400 deposit per person to secure your spot. We require final payment 60 days prior to the trip departure.
Cancellation policy detailed below.
Departure location:
All trips start and end at our headquarters in Fort Benton, MT.
Address: 2210 Main St.
Scroll down for additional logistics information
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Launch Day
The first day, we depart from our headquarters in Fort Benton between 8:00-9:00 am. The drive to Judith Landing is two hours. Upon arriving, the guides will unload the gear, expertly pack the canoes and prepare to launch. There are several opportunities for stops, including homesteads, a dugout that stored ice for steamboats and several groves of trees for eating lunch and spotting birds. The first day is leisurely, which allows for plenty of time to settle into river life.
We always offer meals at regular times and snacks (and potty breaks) at regular and comfortable intervals. Our guides will have your tents already erected when you arrive at camp. We like to begin hors d'oeuvres around 5:00, coinciding with cocktail hour and relaxation. Dinner is served shortly after. We end each night with a warming campfire.
Day 2-3
Each day we paddle between 10-20 miles depending on the availability of campsites. Each site is first come, first serve. The benefit of a guide service is we paddle ahead to secure the best site and are always inquiring with other groups in order to plan. A steaming, gourmet cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate will be ready around 6:00am every morning followed by a hearty, homemade breakfast. Each morning the guides pack the, load the canoes and offer a clear description of what to expect for the remainder of the day. We will leave plenty of time for exploration, stops and, of course, birding. The guides offer interpretation along the way, points of interest and paddling instruction.
Day 4 - Take Out Day
Unfortunately, this day will come sooner than everyone wants. We meet our shuttle vans at the take out location (James Kipp Recreation Area) around noon. The guides will set up lunch as they pack the gear into trailers and strap down the canoes. The drive back to Fort Benton is three hours. We usually arrive around 4:00pm.
Major Points of Interest Along the Way:
Murry Dugout, Hagadone Homestead, Dauphin Rapids, Stafford Ferry, McGary Bar (Lewis and Clark campsite), Chimney Bend, Cabin Rapids homestead, John Ervin Homestead, Gist Bottom Homestead, Clark’s Viewpoint Hike or another loop hike near Gist Bottom, Cow Creek, Cow Islands, Fort Igles Rifle Pits, James Kipp Homestead, Nez Perce Nee Mee Poo Trail, Wookhawk Bottom & viewpoint hike, Power Plant, Loomis Homestead, Hideaway Coulee and the Hideaway Gang, Charles M Russell Wildlife Refuge, Grand Island and so much more.
Additional Information
Discounts
Early booking discount – 5% early off when you send a deposit prior to January 31st
Large group – enjoy a 5% discount when you party reaches 10 or more people
Returning customer - 5% discount for returning customers
Kids - Children 10 or younger receive 10% off the adult trip price.
Veteran (active and retired service members) - 5% in honor of Robert Hartung, a best friend who served his country and left us too soon
Journalists - please contact us for details and arrangements
Shuttle Service
Are you flying into Great Falls? Don’t know how to get to Fort Benton? We can help.
For our guided trip folks, we can offer shuttle service for $145 each way (for the van, not per person). Thus, if there is multiple people, you can split the cost. Sometimes, renting a car and storing it at our headquarters is less expensive. Send us an email or call if you are interested in arranging a shuttle through us.
Deposit, Final Payment & Cancellation Policy,
We require a $400 deposit per person to secure your spot. We require final payment 60 days prior to the trip departure. Reservations made within 60 days of trip departure must be paid in full at the time of booking.
Due to the seasonal nature of our business, cancellations can prove very costly to us. However, we understand that things happen outside of our control. Refunds of monies will be given at the following rates:
Prior to 60 days before launch date, we will refund your deposit less 50%.
60 days or less before launch date, no refunds will be given.
In certain circumstances, you can opt to hold credit with us for monies paid, and postpone your trip for the following summer. A $300 handling fee will be applied. The remaining funds will be applied to a trip in the future. Contact us for details.
Travel Insurance
Why is travel insurance so important?
In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer a Travelex Insurance Services protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.
For more information on the available plans click here or contact Travelex Insurance 800-228-9792 and reference location number 26-0056.
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The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc CA Agency License #0D10209. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, NAIC #22276. V94
Have questions?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact us below.