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! Since 1994 our family operated business has guided hundreds of clients on the Upper Missouri River, including families, groups of friends, and business retreats.
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. Find out more about our top-of-the-line canoes, paddles, and list of provided equipment as well as a sample trip menu of our local, fresh and inspired camp meals.
How to Book a Trip
Book online, call or email us. We love to chat and are happy to answer any questions you may have.
2024 Trip Schedule
If you would like a private trip, we will do our best to accommodate your requested launch date. Give us a call for more details. Click the link below to see available dates.
Upper River Section - Fort Benton to Coal Banks
41 miles | river mile 0-41
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 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. This itinerary is also ideal for families with small children who might not be ready for several days of camping. This section of the National Monument is highly underrated, underappreciated and rarely visited. The river takes you through remote and expansive range and farming land, along the magnificent Black Bluffs and past the famous Decision Point, where the Marias River enters the mighty Missouri. Here, the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent 10 days deciding which channel would take them to the Northwest Passage. The trip departs from Fort Benton, which makes for a seamless launch.
OR add this section to a trip below - paddle the entire National Monument!
Option: 2 days/1 night
White Cliffs
46 miles | river mile 43-88
Retrace the most famous and visited section of the legendary Lewis and Clark Expedition into the West and experience the Upper Missouri River much like they 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.
Options
3 days/2 nights - $950 per person
4 days/3 nights - $1150 per person
5 days/4 nights - $1305 per person
Badlands
61 miles | river mile 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.
Options:
4 days/3 nights - $1300 per person
5 days/4 nights - $1400 per person
White Cliffs & Badlands
107 miles | river mile 43 - 148
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. The most popular and immersive option—this canoeing adventure is absolutely the trip of a lifetime! Enjoy the immeasurable benefits of being very far from noise, lights, technology and crowds for an extended period of time. Most river folks will claim one can’t properly immerse into the ‘flow of things’ until day 2 or 3, at which time after, the real magic begins.
Options:
6 days/5 nights - $1600 per person
7 days/6 nights - $1795 per person
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.
Private Trip Pricing
Interested in a private canoe trip? We can customize any trip to suit and, in fact, we specialize in it. Please contact us for pricing and options.
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) - 5% (in honor of Robert Hartung, a best friend who served his country and left us too soon)
Journalists - please contact us for 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.
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 the 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. 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.