The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management oversees more than 247 million acres of U.S. land. These public areas constitute one-eighth of the land in the United States. The BLM is part of the Department of the Interior and manages these public lands as renewable resources, natural preservations, and research study areas. Their goal is to preserve and protect while utilizing natural resources in a sustainable manner.
The Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River encompasses 149 miles of the Upper Missouri. It contains many natural attractions, such as the White Cliffs, the Badlands, and the Breaks. These differing habitats provide homes for a diverse variety of wildlife. Floating down the Upper Missouri is all about taking a leisurely ride through a relatively unchanged area of the northwestern region of the United States. Here, you will find former Native American encampments, Lewis and Clark campsites, fur trading post sites, steamboat landings, and abandoned homesteads and forts. The Nez Percé crossed the Upper Missouri as they fled U.S. soldiers, and the Nez Percé National Historic Trail in the management area commemorates their journey.
Neat Coulee is a loop trail that is located near Great Plains, MT. It is accessible from a trailhead behind the Eagle Creek Boat Camp. The trail begins at the camp and winds back and forth into the Neat Coulee drainage. Toward the end of the trail, you will enter a slot canyon. The trail continues on the opposite side of the coulee on the way back to the camp.
Length: 3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Gist Homestead is a loop trail that is located near Great Plains, MT. This trail begins at a trailhead behind the Gist Bottom Primitive Boat Camp and leads to the Gist Overlook, which looks out over the Missouri Breaks. You can then continue on to the historic Gist Homestead.
Length: 4.9 Miles
Intensity: Moderate
Lower Bullwhacker Trail is a loop trail that is located near Great Plains, MT. The trail travels through the Bullwhacker Coulee, which is a streambed with interesting fossils embedded in the banks. You may see bighorn sheep on the hillsides as you hike.
Length: 7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
You can fish anywhere on the Upper Missouri River on public lands. The waters of the Upper Missouri River are cold waters and support various species of trout. Warm water species include goldeye, sauger, walleye, drum northern pike, carp, channel catfish, smallmouth buffalo, and paddlefish. The endangered pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon are more rare residents that can sometimes be sighted. Normal fishing regulations and fees for the state of Montana apply for fishing in the Missouri River.
The Upper Missouri River has a number of big game herds of elk, bighorn sheep, and mule deer. The elk hunts are comparable in quality to the hunts that you will find at the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. The mule deer hunts offer a good rate of harvesting success, but the most popular game herd is the growing bighorn sheep population. Bighorn sheep can be found at Dog Creek, Ervin Ridge, Bullwhacker Coulee, and other areas of the Upper Missouri River. Normal hunting regulations and fees apply.
There are plenty of opportunities for bird-watching while either boating down the Upper Missouri or while hiking. Common species of birds include the yellow-breasted chat, brown thrasher, common poorwill, rock wren, mountain bluebird, great horned owl, yellow-headed blackbird, and white-throated swift. While on the river, you may see osprey, American white pelicans, bald eagles, and western kingbirds.
There are several Bureau of Land Management campgrounds along the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River route that are boat accessible and perfect for RV camping. These BLM RV camping sites include Coal Banks Landing, Judith Landing, and James Kipp Recreation Area. Coal Banks Landing has nine RV or tent sites with no hookups. Each site has a fire ring and a table, and there are vault toilets and drinking water. Judith Landing has eight RV and tent campsites that have fire rings and picnic tables. There is one vault toilet and several waste receptacles. There is also a small store that is operated seasonally. The James Kipp Recreational Area has 34 RV and tent sites with fire rings and tables. There are eight vault toilets, a dump station, drinking water, and a fish-cleaning station. There is a separate floater campground for river boaters.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is allowed inside the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River management area. This type of camping is often referred to as "dispersed" camping and involves the practice of camping for free in undeveloped areas. Some of the lands inside the management area are private, and permission from the owners will be needed for camping on those properties.
Whether you are visiting the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River management area by boat, on foot, or both, it is essential to plan well for BLM camping near me. If boating, you should take any supplies that you may need for your boat. Boat trips can take several days, so be sure to take enough water and food. Sturdy shoes that can get wet, rain gear, flashlights, lanterns, lighters, appropriate clothing, and small cooking utensils are all good to pack. A GPS device is also a good idea. For more information, visit our blog on tips for BLM camping.
BLM visitors must practice a "leave no trace" policy on BLM lands. When visiting BLM lands, you are required to pack out all waste and to make sure that the areas are undisturbed when you leave. All fire restrictions must be observed.
There are several spots to access this site. In Fort Benton, the access points are at Chouteau County Fairgrounds Canoe Launch and Campground at River Mile 0 and at Fort Benton Boat Launch at River Mile 1.4.
In Loma, the Wood Bottom Recreation Area access point is via Loma Bridge Road east of U.S. Highway 87 N at River Mile 20.2. The Coal Banks Landing Recreation Area at River Mile 41.5 is accessed via Gardiner Road, east of U.S. Highway 87 N at mile marker 66.7.
The Judith Landing Recreation Area at River Mile 88.5 is accessed via State Highway 236 (Judith Landing Rd), east of U.S. Highway 87 N in Big Sandy, MT. The James Kipp Recreation Area is the terminus of the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River and is the main takeout point for boaters boating the badlands section of the river.
Address: Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River, Fort Benton River Management Station/Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center, Fort Benton, MT 59442
Ready to visit Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
