W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A . C O M
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F
loating the Upper Missouri River Breaks National
Monument can seem a daunting proposition. row
a few kids into the mix and this trip becomes an off-grid escape to
challenge even the most adventure-seeking child.
e longest river in the US, the Mighty Mo's history is a key player
in Lewis and Clark's 1804 search for the Pacific. It became a working
river from 1817 with paddleboats plugging up and down bringing
travellers, traders, troops, and supplies. Tales of shipwrecks survive,
and in 1987 an excavation was done on the Missouri Packet,
which was reported to have been carrying $250,000 in coins.
e money was never found, but stories still abound.
For beginners, the 42 miles of the Upper Missouri River be-
tween Coal Banks and Judith Landing are the perfect introduction
to wild camping. ese white cliffs and idyllic wetlands are part
of the 149-mile National Wild and Scenic River System.
You don't need a permit to travel down the river but ad-
vance planning is necessary. Once on the water you are
not accessible by road and there is no cell phone recep-
tion: perfect for parents who want to show their kids that
life can be fun without a device at their fingertips! e
first step is to contact the Bureau of Land Management
who will give you vital information and waterproof maps
(crucial). eir Web site is: www.blm.gov/pgdata/content/
mt/en/prog/nlcs_new/UMRB_NM.html
1 5 T O P T I P S F O R F U N
O N T H E M I S S O U R I R I V E R
article and photos by
JOANNA POCOCK
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