Upper Missouri River Brief History & Monument Information

“It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the nation, which with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geological, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.” … from the National Wild and Scenic River Act.

As a result of the above degree, in 1976, with the urging of Montana Senator Lee Metcalf, the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Wild and Scenic River was created, preserving the posterity of a 149 mile stretch of river. In January of 2001, the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument was designated, recognizing the uniqueness of the tens of thousands of acres of wilderness-quality public lands that border the river. 

Important historic sites exist around almost every bend of the Upper Missouri.

Evidence of Native American inhabitants is still evidenced by petroglyphs and tepee rings.

There are 13 Lewis and Clark campsites in the 149 mile "wild and scenic" stretch, many of which are utilized by floaters as overnight camps. Most notable of these is probably their camp at the confluence with the Marias River, where the expedition took 10 days deciding which river was the true Missouri River.

The sites of several important fur trade posts exist on the Upper Missouri, most notably the American Fur Company’s Fort MacKenzie.

Many abandoned homestead buildings from the turn of the century are still standing and are a favorite for floaters to explore.

Steamboat landing sites and gravel bars, which were a major obstacle for the big boats, look much the same as they did over one hundred years ago.