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Missouri National Recreational RiverFloating down the river on a summer day.
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Missouri National Recreational River
Operating Hours & Seasons

Lewis and Clark Visitor Center

The visitor center (402/667-2550) is the primary contact point for the "rec river." It is on Nebraska Highway 121 about 4 miles west of Yankton, SD, and is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, the visitor center is open Sundays-Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is closed on weekends from early November to mid-April.

Mulberry Bend Overlook

With a great view of the historic river, the overlook is on the Nebraska side by the Missouri River bridge connecting Vermillion, South Dakota, and Newcastle, Nebraska (SD 19 and Nebraska 15). It is open year-round and is closed only in winter when conditions warrant.

Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center

The building is located in Nebraska's Ponca State Park and houses the park offices and a large exhibit wing featuring displays on the "rec river."  It is open Mondays-Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Hours are extended during the summer. The state park is at the end of Highway Spur 26 E about three miles north of Ponca and serves as the eastern gateway to the "rec river."  A valid annual entry permit is required. For further information call, 402/755-2284.

 

Missouri River Delta  

Did You Know?
Before the 1950s, the Missouri River carried an average of roughly 140 million tons of sediment per year past Yankton. After closure of the dams in the 1960s, an average of roughly 4 million tons per year moved past the same location.

Last Updated: February 03, 2009 at 14:04 EST