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Missouri National Recreational River
Outdoor Activities

The Missouri River and surrounding area serve as an outdoor recreation mecca. Some of the more popular activities are:

Boating (and sailing on Lewis and Clark Lake) -- South Dakota and Nebraska boating regulations apply.

Canoeing -- Canoeing and kayaking the Missouri River are not for the novice. Contact us for brochures on canoeing South Dakota rivers.

Fishing -- South Dakota and Nebraska fishing regulations apply. Fishing licenses can be purchased online from the respective state.

Camping -- Primitive camping only is allowed on sandbars and some islands in the park.

Hiking and biking -- Most of the state parks along the "rec river" corridor have a variety of recreational trails. Call (402) 667-2550 for a copy of the "Meridian Trails Tour Map" for the Yankton, South Dakota, and Lewis and Clark Lake area or download your copy (.4Mb in pdf format).

The Missouri River is also the major North American migratory waterfowl flyway, making it a favorite destination for bird lovers.

Hunting is another popular year-round activity along the "rec river" corridor. Both South Dakota and Nebraska state hunting regulations apply. Duck blind permits for the upper end of Lewis and Clark Lake can be obtained from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Applications are taken from August 1 to September 1 and are available at the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center. 

Yankton in 1861  

Did You Know?
Yankton, on the Missouri River, was the first capital of Dakota Territory. This area included the states of South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho and Nebraska.

Last Updated: March 25, 2009 at 13:12 EST