Small group size is our priority. We offer high-end guided river trips ranging from two to seven days! Explore all our options below. Our updated calendar is also listed below.
Since 1994, our guide service has offered guided canoe trips on the Upper Missouri River. We retain one of the original owners (and he is still guiding 20+ years later), and have been using the highest quality canoes from the beginning. We focus solely on guided trips, and our goal is to offer unrivaled service, locally-sourced and home-grown meals, the highest quality gear and as much historical & geological interpretation as you can handle while always having fun. We hope to disperse after the trip as friends - let us show you why we are the leading Missouri River outfitter and guide service.
Montana's Upper Missouri River is one of the premier canoe trips in the United States and the most unspoiled segment of the entire Lewis & Clark Trail. The river corridor is blessed with outstanding scenery, spectacular geology and abundant wildlife. A Class One river, with no rapids, the canoeing is accessible to all levels of experience and can be enjoyed by all, from beginners to advanced paddlers, including all ages from two to ninety years old!
Every trip includes unique, daily hiking opportunities, historic site exploration & interpretation and, of course, relaxation whether it be leisurely paddling your canoe, enjoying the sounds along the riverbank or unwinding around a campfire. Always feel free to contact us. If you are going to spend time on the river with us, why not call and get to know us first. We are happy to chat about any questions you may have before booking a trip with us.
Thank you for the wonderful experience our entire family (76 years to 8) had with your team on the river. The professional conduct of the guides, their skill in communicating with all of us, all day, the wonderful meals, relaxed evenings, great /clean equipment, the photos, constant interaction re the history, hikes, swimming and most of all the laughter as they worked together made for a wonderful 50th wedding anniversary for the family. Our 50th anniversary silver platter with hors d’oeuvres went beyond surprise and thoughtfulness. The scenery was breathtaking the geology of the river stunning. Thank you for a lifetime memory for all eleven of us. THANKS TO ALL OF YOUR TEAM BUT ESPECIALLY OUR GUIDES
-John Scully, Ennis, Montana
White Cliffs and Badlands or “Breaks” of the Upper Missouri River
White Cliffs - most popular short trip
46 miles | river miles 42-88. Experience the Upper Missouri River much like the Corps of Discovery did—undisturbed and magnificent. Camp in actual Lewis & Clark campsites, visit tepee rings and petroglyphs and hike to spectacular off-river locations, including a slot canyon, the famed Hole in the Wall and learn about the spectacular and unique geology of this uncovered formation. Every night we read from the journals of Lewis and Clark and share stories of early homesteaders and the Native peoples who inhabited the area.
Most famous and revered section of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
“The hills and river Clifts which we passed today exhibit a most romantic appearance…. The water in the course of time in decending from those hills and plains on either side of the river has trickled down the soft sand clifts and woarn it into a thousand grotesque figures… at a distance are made to represent eligant ranges of lofty freestone buildings…. As we passed on it seemed as if those seens of visionary inchantment would never have and can, end.”
3 days/2 nights | $950
This trip is the very minimum amount of time needed to canoe the Upper Missouri’s White Cliffs and still be able to enjoy off-river hiking and relaxation time. We try to pack as much as possible into these short days as there is so much to see! Hiking is always optional. If you are limited on time, this trip is the one for you.
4 days/3 nights | $1150
Enjoy the Upper Missouri’s White Cliffs as a more relaxed pace. The amount of canoeing each day is shorter, and we can use the extra day to linger a bit more in camp. This trip is ideal, and the extra day difference is significant. If you have the time, opt for the longer trip, you will thank yourself. It is also more time to get to know your guides as fellow travelers.
5 days/4 nights | $1305
History, Hiking and Geology Intensive: take extra time to explore, learn and relax. We enjoy shorter paddling days or a coveted layover day. Explore beyond the usual and popular spots. Dive into the history and unique geology. The longer the trip, the more time to unwind, relax and immerse yourself in the nurturing quality of the river.
Badlands or “Breaks”
61 miles | river miles 88-148. Montana’s Badlands aka “The Missouri River Breaks” are 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.
4 days/3 nights | $1300
This is the minimum amount of time needed to canoe both sections. If you are traveling all the way to central Montana, it would be a shame not to see both sections of the Upper Missouri River—which are wildly different and equally amazing. After a few days, you will settle into the pace of the river, stress melts away and the river, history and landscape will engulf you. It’s truly a trip of a lifetime.
5 days/4 nights | $1400
Enjoy the Badlands, aka Upper Missouri River Breaks, at either a more relaxed pace OR with the highly coveted layover day! During this day, we don’t pack up camp, but rather enjoy the morning leisurely and have the option for a long hike to Clark’s viewpoint, where Clark thought he first spotted the Rocky Mountains. Even if you journey just a mile off the river, the landscape opens, and you can truly start to grasp the expansiveness of this section of the monument. If you have time, opt for the longer trip.
6 & 7 day Multi-Section Trips - the premier river experience!
White Cliffs & Badlands
6 days/5 night | $1600
Float the famous Upper Missouri River White Cliffs AND the less-traveled and wilder Badlands. The White Cliffs are magnificent, but we promise, it only gets better. If you are traveling all the way to central Montana, it would be a shame not to see both sections of the Upper Missouri River—which are wildly different and equally amazing. After a few days, you will settle into the pace of the river, stress melts away and the river, history and landscape will engulf you. It’s truly a trip of a lifetime.
White Cliffs & Badlands
7 days/6 nights | $1795
Every guide will tell you this is their favorite trip. Two itinerary options available. Enjoy a highly coveted layover day in the Badlands with the option for a long hike to Clark’s Viewpoint. We are the only company offering this itinerary! OR, enjoy a more relaxed pace at the beginning. Most will agree the first few days are the most difficult - adjusting to river life, camping and the pace. With this option, we enjoy the White Cliffs and the many hiking opportunities with plenty of time to adjust and settle in — 3 nights in White Cliffs & 3 nights in Badlands
Short Trip Option
Fort Benton to Coal Banks
2 days/1 night | $475
The perfect short trip
Do you only have one night? Would you like to see the river but do not have time for a 3 or 4 day trip? This 42 mile trip is the perfect quick trip if you are limited on time but still want a few days of river solace and to experience the beauty of the Upper Missouri River. The trip departs from Fort Benton, which makes for a seamless launch. This itinerary is also ideal for families with small children who might not be ready for several days of camping.
This section is highly underrated, underappreciated and rarely visited.
2024 Trip Schedule
Unless the dates is labeled FULL or Private - there are definitely spots available! If you are interested in a trip earlier or later than the available dates below - please call or email to discuss options.
Upper River Section | 42 miles
2 days/1 nights (Fort Benton to Coal Banks and Fort Benton to Judith Landing)
July 2-3
Call or email to request additional dates
White Cliffs | 46 miles
3 days/2 nights
If you are interested in an earlier or later date, please call.
June 11-13
July 30-August 1
August 26-28
4 days/3 nights
If you are interested in an earlier or later date, please call.
June 12-15 - please call before booking
June 19-22
June 27-30
July 3-6
July 8-11
July 10-13
July 16-19
July 24-27 - please call before booking
July 31-August 3 - please call before booking
August 7-10 - please call before booking
August 13-16
August 21-24 - please call before booking
August 30-September 2 - please call before booking
September 7-10
5 days/4 nights - Hiking, History and Geology Intensive
If you are interested in different launch date for the 5 day trip, please call or email with requested launch dates.
Badlands | 61 miles
4 days/3 nights
June 13—16
June 22-25
July 11-14
July 18-21
August 1-4
August 28-31
5 days/4 nights
August 15-19
August 28-September 1
White Cliffs & Badlands | 107 miles
6 days/5 nights
If you are interested in an earlier or later date, please call.
June 11-16
July 30-August 4
August 26-31
7 days/6 nights
If you are interested in an earlier or later date, please call.
June 19-25
July 8-14
July 16-22
August 13-19
August 26-September 1
August 30-September 5 - please call before booking
8 days/7 nights
If you are interested in an 8 day trip, please call or email with requested launch dates.
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
Kids and Families
This trip is PERFECT for kids and adults of all ages. There are no rapids, and we have 3 or 4-seater canoes from families will little ones. Kids love the fun hiking and rock scrambling, exploration, wildlife, seeing the stars and more. If you are worried about them getting bored, well, we bring games! We also provide kid-friendly food options.
Find out more on our Kids and Families page.
Private and Custom Trips
Are you organizing a group of people (no easy task)? We can help. Please let us know how many people are in your group (large or small) and your preferred launch dates.
We can customize any canoe trip to suit and, in fact, we specialize in it. Contact us for more information and private trip pricing.
Find out more on our Private & Custom Trips page.
Top-of-the-line Equipment
Click here to learn about our superb Wenonah Kevlar canoes and super lightweight paddles
Our Love of Amazing Food
Click here for our sample menu including local, garden-fresh and foraged ingredients
Hiking on the Upper Missouri River
Click here for comprehensive list of all the unique hiking opportunities along the river corridor.
Additional Information
Canoe Trip Launch and Take Out Logistics
We recommend you stay in Fort Benton the night before the trip. Great Falls is also an option. See more planning tips .
Night before Launch - 5:00pm - (not mandatory, just a great chance to do introductions and hand out dry bags for packing the night before). We meet at the Grand Union Hotel (or another convenient location depending on where you are staying). During this meeting, we will do introductions, give you dry bags and instruction on packing them efficiently, answer any last minute questions you might have, establish a time to meet at our headquarters the next morning and offer a brief safety talk (which helps to reduce the amount of time spent on the dock the next morning).
Launch Day - 7:30-8:00am - We meet at our headquarters at 2210 Main St. You can park your car safely and securely outside our shop and leave any valuables or heat sensitive electronics in our locked shop as well. After we finish packing up, we hit the road. For the White Cliffs, the launch point is Coal Banks Landing (45 minute drive). For the Badlands only, the launch point is Judith Landing (1.5 hour drive).
Take-out - It never fails to be a reluctant endeavor, but all good things must come to an end. We meet our shuttle vans at the take out around noon and typically arrive back at our headquarters between 3-4 o’clock. Thus, we recommend you stay in Fort Benton or Great Falls this night.
For the White Cliffs, the take out location is Judith Landing. For White Cliffs & Badlands or Badlands only, the take out location is James Kipp Recreation Area.
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.
Are you doing the Badlands? And are you driving and hitting the road, going either South, North or East?
From James Kipp Recreation Area (our take out on the longer trips or Badlands-only trips), it may be more efficient for you to have us shuttle your car to the the take out, depending on our shuttle driver availability. The drive back to Fort Benton from James Kipp is 3 hours. Thus, you might be able to cut off 3 hours from your drive! Please give us a ring and we can discuss details.
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. We accept check or you can conveniently and seamlessly book online.
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 50% of your deposit.
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 a 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.
Click on image to visit site and learn more.
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.