Missouri National Recreation River

Things To Do Near Missouri National Recreation River

Many who come to the Missouri National Recreation River site choose to go on paddling adventures. Free kayaking clinics are given at Lake Yankton during the summer, and those who already have kayaking experience will want to follow the Missouri River Water Trail. There are also fantastic places to go hiking and biking along the river’s edge. Hunting and trapping are available within the Bow Creek and Goat Island Recreation Areas. You can also boat on and fish in the Missouri River.

Hiking Trails

• Paddlewheel Point Trail 

  The Paddlewheel Point Trail starts at the parking lot east of the Yankton Chamber of Commerce and runs to the river. There are numbered signposts along this trail that identify plants near its edge. This paved trail is 10 feet wide and is lighted at night. 

  Location

  803 E. Fourth Street, Yankton, SD 57078 

  Length

  1 mile

  Intensity

  Easy

• Auld-Brokaw Trail 

  The Auld-Brokaw Trail starts off West 21st Street in Yankton. It follows the curves of the Marne Creek, running near Webster School and Rotary Nature Area. This lighted and paved trail ends on Broadway Avenue. 

  Location

  W. 21st Street, Yankton, SD 57078 

  Length

  2.7 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Arboretum Trail 

  Arboretum Trail starts at Yankton High School. It runs around the perimeter of the high school and the Summit Activities Center. This paved trail has marked signposts along its edges that offer information about different plants, and it also runs by several recreational facilities, including soccer, football, and baseball fields. 

  Location

  1801 Summit Street, Yankton, SD 57078 

  Length

  1.4 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery 

  This facility raises several different species of fish, including the endangered pallid sturgeon and the common bluegill. Stroll through the aquarium to learn more about the 60 species of fish that are on display. 

  Location

  31227 436th Avenue, Yankton, SD 57078 

• Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park 

  Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park near Royal, Nebraska, allows you to see how fossils are collected. This site was hit by a volcano-like event about 12 million years ago, covering the entire valley in volcanic ash. You can see the fossils from many different animals, including barrel-bodied rhinos, three-toed horses, llama-like camels, and saber-toothed deer. 

  Location

  86930 517th Avenue, Royal, NE 68773

• Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve 

  See one of the oldest homesteads in the Sioux City area by visiting Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City. There are many historical buildings to explore. This is a fantastic place to go cross-country skiing in the winter, and you can rent skis here. 

  Location

  272 Westshore Drive, North Sioux City, SD 57049

Museums

• W.H. Over Museum of Natural and Cultural History 

  Learn more about the Native Americans who lived and continue to live in the Dakotas at W.H. Over Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Additionally, see many different fossils, minerals, and natural items. 

  Location

  414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069 

• Mead Cultural Education Center 

  From 1906 to 1980, this building served as the women’s ward for the Dakota Hospital for the Insane. See regional historical exhibits and many traveling exhibits in this museum. 

  Location

  82 Mickelson Drive, Yankton, SD 57078 

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Akta Lakota Gift Shop 

  Select from a range of books about Native Americans, history, and nature at Akta Lakota Gift Shop. They also sell various merchandise, including fashion accessories, quilts, and handbags, at this store located within the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center. It is also a great place to get more traditional items, like medicine wheels, pipe bags, and dreamcatchers. 

  Location

  St. Joseph’s Indian School, 1301 North Main Street, Chamberlain, SD 57325 

• LilyCrest 

  Keep your home and RV smelling great with scents, candles, and sachets from LilyCrest. You will also adore the collection of art inside and outside your home. Check out the collection of home décor. 

  Location

  211 West 3rd Street, Yankton, SD 57078

• Sioux City Gifts 

  Get clothes for the whole family at Sioux City Gifts. Find a good book to read as you relax along the river’s edge. The store also carries greeting cards and DVDs. 

  Location

  1922 Pierce Street, Sioux City, IA 51104 

• Ruthann’s Family Meals 

  Select from a range of meals served family-style at Ruthann’s Family Meals. This location makes fantastic chicken enchiladas and Asian chicken. 

  Location

  1708 South Marion Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57106

• River's Edge

  When you want classic American dishes crafted using locally sourced ingredients, look no further than River's Edge, which is half a block from the Missouri River. Their offerings change seasonally so that they can use the freshest ingredients, but you're sure to find something to love on the eclectic menu. Locals rave about the jambalaya and the bruschetta, but their ribs and salmon are also top-notch. 

  Location

  104 Capital Street, Yankton, SD 57078

How To Get To Missouri National Recreation River

A great way to see all that this site has to offer is to start at its northern end and paddle your way down to its end at Ponca State Park. In order to do that, head to Fort Randall Dam at Pickstown, South Dakota. To get there from Yankton, get on South Dakota 314 West. Turn left onto South Dakota 50 West. Go straight to get onto 297th Street, and continue straight to get onto US 281 South. 

Address

508 E 2nd St, Yankton, SD 57078

Fee: Entry Fee (per person)

There is no entry fee.

The Missouri National Recreation River is a 100-mile section of the river that has been protected in its natural condition. The site is divided into two areas with one section running from Fort Randall Dam at Pickston, South Dakota, and continuing southeast to Running Water, South Dakota. The second section starts at Gavins Point Dam and continues through Ponca State Park in Nebraska. This area is a fantastic place to follow the Missouri Water Trail, but you can also go hiking and biking, or you can enjoy other recreational activities near the river’s shores. There is also fantastic shopping and dining nearby. The best way to make this trip is in a comfortable RV so that you are assured of a comfortable place to rest at night after playing on and along the river.