Unchanged. Not you. The scenery.
History flows at about 9000 cfs in the Upper Missouri River. That’s the perfect rate to experience it on your own in much the same fashion as Lewis and Clark. Set aside in 1971 as a National Monument, this 149-mile section and surrounding areas of the Missouri River is a showcase of natural splendor and tranquil recreation. Starting in Fort Benton and stretching down to Fort Peck Lake, this part of the Missouri River remains surprisingly unscathed for all the history it’s seen. Many of the features so enthusiastically described by Lewis & Clark remain just as they were in 1805. The largest viable elk herd, the bighorn sheep, and the sage grouse are all still here. The white cliffs that mesmerized Meriwether Lewis are still here. Stop by the Visitor’s Center in Fort Benton and they’ll be happy to help you plan out a paddle adventure to meet your highest expectations. The float from Fort Benton to Loma is an easy one-day floating introduction to the river. More ambitious paddlers can continue on to Robinson’s Bridge, a full seven-day float into an undeniably remote part of the country.
PLACES TO STAY:
GRAND UNION HOTEL
1 Grand Union Square
Fort Benton, MT
phone: 888-838-1882 or 406-622-1882
Historic hotel built in 1882, restored to its
original grandeur. Twenty-six rooms, located
on the Missouri River.
Between $130 and $140, double occupancy
www.grandunionhotel.com
PIONEER LODGE
1700 Front St
Fort Benton, MT
phone: 800-622-6088 or 406-622-5441
Historic building along the Missouri River features
spacious rooms that are great for families.
Between $65 and $ 70, double occupancy
www.pioneerlodgemt.com
VIRGELLE MERC B & B
AND HOMESTEAD CABINS
7485 Virgelle Ferry Rd North
Virgelle, MT
Phone: 800-426-2926 or 406-378-3110
Historic mercantile with upstairs B & B rooms
furnished with antiques. Original homestead
cabins include wood stove, kerosene lanterns
and copy of the homestead deed filed.
Between $45 and $115, double occupancy
www.paddlemontana.com
Q'S MOTEL
98 Hwy 236
Big Sandy, MT
Phone: 406-378-2389
Eight room motel with small town hospitality
offers views of the nearby Bear Paw Mountains.
Around $50, double occupancy
PLACES TO EAT:
Average meal
$ = $10 or under
$$ = $10-$20
$$$ = over $20
UNION GRILLE IN THE
GRAND UNION HOTEL
1 Grand Union Square
Fort Benton, MT
Phone: 888-838-1882 or 406-622-1882
Dinner served in the restaurant, with
bar and patio menu for more casual dining.
Beer & wine available.
$$$
www.grandunionhotel.com
BOB'S RIVERFRONT RESTAURANT
1414 Front St
Fort Benton, MT
Phone: 406-622-3443
Family restaurant with daily specials,
breakfast, lunch, dinner. Beer & wine only.
$-$$
www.bobsriverfrontrestaurant.com
BANQUE CLUB
1318 Front St
Fort Benton, MT
Phone: 406-622-5272
This former bank - the vault now operates
as a cooler - serves great steaks with a
full liquor license for dinner.
$$$
MA'S LOMA CAFE NUEVO
203 US Hwy 87
Loma, MT
Phone: 406-739-4400
Family restaurant serving mouthwatering
daily specials, breakfast all day, lunch &
dinner. Authentic Mexican on Wednesdays.
$-$$
MINT BAR & CAFE
88 Johannes Ave
Big Sandy, MT
Phone: 406-378-2679
Family restaurant with full liquor license.
Features good food for breakfast, lunch and
dinner. Small town atmosphere and local color.
$$
THINGS TO DO:
GUIDED MISSOURI RIVER TRIPS
Fort Benton, Great Falls & Lewistown
Explore the river from a unique perspective –
sitting in a canoe or kayak and camping out
under the stars. Fully guided river trips are
available from 2 days to week long adventures.
For a sampling of river guides, go to
www.visitmt.com/upper_missouri_guides
$600 – 1000 per person for 3 days guided
adventure; includes equipment, food and
shuttle transportation
MISSOURI RIVER FERRIES
Three river ferries operate on the Upper
Missouri River, the Carter ferry, Virgelle
ferry and Stafford-McClelland ferry near
Winifred. Typical season is April – November
and they are free. Each ferry can carry
2 passenger cars at a time.
Free
BIRDWATCHING
Bring binoculars and Birding Trails in Russell
Country brochure. Download brochure at
www.russell.visitmt.com/birding
Upper Missouri River from Fort Benton to James
Kipp Recreation Area via canoe. See common poorwill,
white-throated swifts, rock wrens, prairie falcons,
American white pelican, bald eagle, osprey, western
kingbird.
Wood Bottom Watchable Wildlife Area near Loma.
See yellow-breasted chat, spotted towhee, brown
thrasher in this area.
Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls. Along the
Missouri River, see waterfowl, Bullock’s oriole,
bald eagle, belted kingfisher, gray catbird, western
kingbird, willow flycatcher. Other services here
include rest facilities, fish hatchery, trails and
links to River’s Edge Trail.
Free
LEWIS AND CLARK
NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL
INTERPRETIVE CENTER
4201 Giant Springs Rd
Great Falls, MT
Phone: 406-727-8733
Learn about the expedition’s trek up the Missouri
River, including the animals, the Native American
tribes and the obstacles encountered from 1804-1806.
Adults $8; 16 and under, free
www.fs.fed.us/r1/lewisclark/lcic