Private Canoe Trips
We specialize in private and custom
canoe trips of all sizes.
Are you organizing a group of adventures, families or friends? We understand this is no easy task, and we can help.
We have hosted many private trips each year and absolutely love the opportunity to put together an adventure your group will remember forever. The best part about a guided trip? We handle logistics, decision making, all preparations, cooking and cleaning so you and your group can truly enjoy the solace and each others’ company without hassle in a magnificent nature setting. You can call it luxury camping OR the luxury of having a top-of-the-line guide service enrich and facilitate your adventure.
Why book a private canoe trip:
Full customization
We will offer you a range of available dates to relay to your group OR if you have a specific launch date already chosen, we will do our best to accommodate.
If you would like to customize a trip by adding an extra day, requesting a specific guide or another options, just let us know.
Do you have an odd number? This is not an issue. Someone will canoe with a guide. Or, if there are little kids, we have 3 and 4 seater canoes for families who wish to paddle together.
Veterans groups
We host at least one veteran group annually, and this connection is near and dear to us. Participants develop lasting friendships, connections and camaraderie that are vastly beneficial. As river guides and outdoor enthusiasts, we are constantly trying to explain that there is something magical about a multi-day trip outdoors: the stresses of life and other pressures melts away, and you are left with the present moment experienced together. Life seems simplified yet more inspired. When you have nothing else vying for your attention, you are presented with the most pure and unobstructed opportunity to connect to fellow humans. Contact us for more information or to organize a trip.
We offer a 5% discount to all veterans and active-duty.
All ages welcome
Are you celebrating an anniversary or birthday? Are you putting together an adventure for your extended family or a family reunion? Are you organizing a corporate retreat? This river trip is suited perfectly for all ages and ability levels. The Missouri River is a Class One river, with no rapids, and thus the canoeing is accessible to all levels of experience and can be enjoyed by all, from beginners to advanced paddlers, including all ages.
Check out our Kids and Families page for more information about our accommodations for young adventurers.
Filming & More
Do you have a project your want to film/photograph on the Missouri River? We have experience in transporting and maintaining camera, film and sound equipment, as well as experience paddling canoes while filming! We also can help advise you on the perfect places along the river for the best results. We are very versed in adapting to the needs of a specialty trip such as these.
Examples: Collaborative effort between Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and NEW Multimedia, as part of Big Medicine: The York Project, an initiative to bring York's story to the foreground. Click here to see the trailer.
Bear Archery: Guided professional representatives as well as film crew for magazine photos and promotional videos.
Partners in organizing a group
Provide an email list of trip participants, we will communicate with everyone directly, thus eliminating the trip leaders’ responsibility of relaying questions, etc.
We send everyone detailed packing and preparation information and regularly communicate with the group to ensure everyone is informed and ready for the trip.
Providing all necessary and helpful information to assist you in planning all the details, including lodging, transportation/travel options to and from Fort Benton and recommendations on other activities in the area and around the state.
Longer trip options
Why not spend more time on the river with your fellow adventurers?
Add on a day to one of our current trip offerings:
5 day/4 night - White Cliffs (46 miles)
(Includes a layover day)
8 day/7 night - White Cliffs & Badlands (107 miles)
(Includes 3 nights in the White Cliffs and 4 nights in the Badlands and includes a layover day in the Badlands!)
Contact us for more details.

“I felt like they knew what we wanted without being told.”
“Upper Missouri River Guides is a top notch guide service. Eight of us spent a week with our two guides in early September. The equipment supplied to us was very good including the canoes, paddles, safety equipment and camping gear. I LOVED the MSR tents wherein you could look up at night through the tent “sky light” at a million stars while cozy in your sleeping bag. Both of our guides were excellent outdoor chefs. The menu was fabulous and catered to our preferences. The itinerary was well planned but flexible to make sure we were at the best campsites at the best times for privacy of our group. The hikes were well guided but allowed for our group’s varied interests and abilities. I definitely would recommend them to others.”
— MARY HUNTING
Private Trip Pricing
We can accommodate any group size (our past groups range from 2-32!). If your group reaches 8 people, the price per person will revert to the base price.
White Cliffs 3/4 Day Adventures
3 days/2 nights | $950 base price per person
2 people only - $3800 (total trip cost)
3-8 people - $7600 (total trip cost)
8+ people - $950 per person
4 days/3 nights | $1150 base price per person
2 people only - $4600 (total trip cost)
3-8 people - $9200 (total trip cost)
8+ people - $1150 per person
Cliffs & Badlands 6/7 Day Adventures
6 days/5 nights | $1600 base price per person
2 people only - $6400 (total trip cost)
3-8 people - $12,800 (total trip cost)
8+ people - $1600 per person
7 days/6 nights | $1795 base price per person
2 people only - $7180 (total trip cost)
3-8 people - $12,800 (total trip cost)
8+ people - $1795 per person
Badlands 4/5 Day Adventures
4 days/3 nights | $1300 base price per person
2 people only - $5200 (total trip cost)
3-8 people - $10,400 (total trip cost)
8+ people - $1300 per person
5 days/4 nights | $1400 base price per person
2 people only - $5600 (total trip cost)
3-8 people - $11,200 (total trip cost)
8+ people - $1400 per person
Short Trip Option
We are a bit more flexible with this trip since it is shorter. The base price is $475 per person.
We will consider each request on a case-by-case basis.
Please contact us to discuss options.
Ready to book a private trip or at least discuss options that fit your group?
Call (or text) Haley: 406-616-2001 | Email: info@uppermissouri.com | Or click the link below to fill out a Contact Form
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Just contact us! We are happy to help with group logistics and organizing as well as discuss at length the various options.
Call or text: 406-616-2001
Email: info@uppermissouri.com -
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 and their entire party
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
-
We require a $400 deposit per person to secure your spot. We require final payment 90 days prior to the trip departure. Reservations made within 90 days of trip departure must be paid in full at the time of booking. You can pay using check or credit card (all card charges are subject to a 3% processing fee).
-
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 90 days before launch date, we will refund your deposit less 50%.
90 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 rebooking fee will be applied. Contact us for details.
-
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.
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
-
We will provide a gourmet lunch (locally sourced or food from our own garden or that we foraged, hunted or fished), snacks and beverages including, cold water, iced tea/lemonade & seltzer water. We can loan you a cooler and provide ice if you wish to bring additional beverages. Browse our sample menu page and get hungry for our amazing food.
-
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.
Have additional questions?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact us below.