Little Missouri River "At a Glance" |
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| Scenery | Dakota badlands |
| Best time | May-June |
| Wilderness | Remote, but much used for cattle ranching except in N.P. |
| Water Flow | Often too low for canoeing |
| Water Quality | Silty |
| Campsites | Many nice sandbars unless water is very high; lots of public land |
| Hazards | Fences, wild bison, harsh weather in early spring |
| Logistics | Infrequent access; check links below for canoeing details |
| Trip Length | 110 miles recommended |
| Recommendation | Great badlands canoeing adventure |
Little Missouri River (photo courtesy State of North Dakota)
General Description & Characteristics -- The Little Missouri is, true to its name, a miniature version of the much larger upper Missouri River, of which it is a tributary. The Little Missouri rises in northeast Wyoming. It flows from south to north through the southeast corner of Montana and the northeast corner of South Dakota, then into the rugged badlands of western North Dakota. The section that is attractive for canoeing is entirely in North Dakota, and it has been designated by that state as a Scenic River. The river flows through or alongside three units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Elkhorn Unit (accessible only on the river) is the site of future president Roosevelt's cattle ranching operation.
Location & Canoeable Mileage -- While you can canoe over 200 miles of the Little Missouri River when there is adequate water, we would suggest the section of approximately 110 miles from Medora to US 85 (Long X Bridge). This will take 5-7 days, depending on the flow. You may see some recommendations indicating this trip can be done in 4 days, but that is only possible at very high water levels. The flow is highly seasonal and totally dependent on snow melt and local rain fall. Ice out usually occurs by early April, but that month may be too cold for enjoyable camping. May-July generally have adequate water, but in dry periods the river can run too low for enjoyable canoeing. Be sure there is adequate water (about 500 cfs or more) before you attempt this trip. While the NPS suggests March and April for best water conditions, March is quite cold and the average daily temperature range of 30-50 in April might be a bit chilly for some. We recommend May and June, but be sure to check for adequate water flow.
Camping -- You can freely camp along the river. Some of the land is within the National Park boundaries, some is included in the Little Missouri National Grassland, and the rest is private ranch land. Campsites on sand/gravel bars or in cottonwood groves are generally excellent. No open fires are permitted on national park property.
Interesting Features -- The rugged and colorful hills of the badlands are a back drop for one of the most remote canoe camping trips in the lower 48 states. Within the national park, buffalo herds roam free, and are commonly seen along the river. If you do encounter buffalo, keep your distance and do not disturb them, as they can be dangerous if angered or frightened. You will also see many cattle along the river outside the national park.
The upper portion of this run has some small ledges and riffles, but nothing that would be called a rapid at normal water levels. Lower downstream, the river flows over a sandy bottom and has a gentler gradient.
Warning: There are fences across the Little Missouri River in several locations. Most of these are barbed wire, but some are electric. Exercise extreme caution when approaching these fences. Some may require a short portage, but often you can find a low or high spot that allows you to float through. The state of North Dakota is working on a plan to provide "gates" for canoes through these fences.
Additional Information:
| Canoeing Information |
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| Canoe Rental/Shuttle Service | There are a few outfitters in the area that offer canoe rentals and shuttle services. Check with the National Park Service for current information on these. |
| River Flow Data | Study of the USGS gauging stations will be
very helpful in planning this trip.
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| Parks on/near the River |
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| Towns/Other Locales on/near the River | |
| Books |
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| More Pictures | |
| Environmental Issues/Organizations | |
| Acknowledgments/Contributors | Karen R. Ryberg USGS Water Resources of North Dakota 701-250-7422 E-mail |
| Miscellaneous |
