Fort Benton, Montana served as the innermost port for shipping and human transportation thanks to the arrival and successful voyages of steamboats. The first steamboat made the journey in 1819. This history is rich, vast and, at times, hard to even imagine. The river remains largely unchanged since this time period (and before), and if you have had the privilege of floating the river, either by canoe, kayak or raft, you will find it absolutely puzzling how those behemoth vessels managed to make their way up the river and back to St. Louis, especially considering the massive amount of cargo and people they brought.

This page serves as a collection of gathered steamboat history and reference point for additional research and learning if you are interested. We will regularly be adding to this page as we collect more!

The Missouri River’s history is profoundly rich and immeasurably impactful on the development of the west and our entire country. The name, Missouri, comes from the Indians that lived in the region, the Missouri and Ottee. From the Siouan language the name was, “Ouemessorita”, (pronounced Oh-ma-sur-ray) which literally means “people of the wooden canoe.” Later anglicized to be spelled and pronounced, Missouri. The Missouri was formed about 30 million years ago. The Missouri River is the longest river in North America and the 4th longest in the world (when combined with the Mississippi River system). There are 10 dams located on the Missouri River in Montana and another 5 dams located in North Dakota and South Dakota.

Montana’s Upper Missouri River is a wilderness canoe adventure taking you into the heart of central Montana by way of a mild, meandering river. We have detailed recommendations for what to pack and considerations based on the time of the year. This adventure is appropriate to all ages and ability levels, but it’s still an adventure into the wilderness. Individuals must be prepared – both physically and with proper equipment. We provide most of the necessary gear, but the personal items you bring make a big difference. Montana is also famous for its weather variations, and your equipment, which you carry in your canoe, plays a pivotal role in ensuring you pass through the entire trip, regardless of Mother Nature, in comfort and safety.

Mornings along the riverbank are undeniably peaceful and inspiring. We love mornings for many reasons, and rarely do we experience a morning that is not positively fabulous. Summer mornings are a long, serene process with several phases culminating in the delicious glow of the sun on your skin as it finally crests over the cliffs. It is the best time for birdwatching and listening to the wildlife wake for the day. We serve fresh, organic coffee before a hearty, homemade breakfast.

Whether you are an expert astronomer or simply enjoy the rapture of stargazing, the Upper Missouri River is one of the best places for both. Although we are technically down in a river corridor, the breadth of the sky is still extremely vast. And, if you like, at some campsites you can quickly walk up and out of the river corridor to the expansive prairie above. There is a reason Montana is called the “Big Sky State.” Ah, that moment you finally lay down in your tent, snuggle in your sleeping bag, breathe deep and peer into the endless sea of flickering stars above. As the number of wild places shrinks in our world, so does the dark places. Light pollution is certainly a reality for most people. What is the best way to get away from the dull roar of city lights? Well, go camping in a wild, remote place! Thankfully, Montana still has lots of the aforementioned and coveted forests, rivers and protected public lands.

Woodhawk Creek is named for the men who set up shop on the banks of the Missouri to supply the steamboats with fuel-wood for their boilers, which consumed as many as twenty-five to thirty cords per day (a cord is basically the equivalent of the amount of wood that, when chopped, can fill the bed of a pick up truck). The ‘wookhawks’ were an independent breed of men, and the work they performed was physically demanding. They led an isolated existence and were extremely vulnerable to attacks by hostile Indians. Their lives were dangerous, and often short (okay, Hobbes).

The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument encompasses 149 rives miles, yet, arguably the most renown and visited section is the 46 miles stretch referred to as “The White Cliffs.” This magnificent section also corresponds with the most famous and portions of the legendary Lewis and Clark Expedition into the West. From the eloquent and mesmerizing descriptions by Meriwether Lewis in his journal entries to the countless modern texts romanticizing the landscape and formations to the innumerable dramatic photographic opportunities along the river, this river section will always be immortalized as a pivotal piece of history. Moreover, it is unique and inspiring in that you can experience the Upper Missouri River much like the early explorers and homesteaders did—undisturbed and magnificent, and hopefully, through continued efforts towards protection and conservation, this area will remain a Wild and Scenic River.

Within Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, the last section, river miles 88.5 to 149 or Judith Landing to James Kipp Recreation Area, is generally referred to as the “Breaks'“ or “Badlands” of the Upper Missouri River. Although not as famous as the White Cliffs, most guides and folks who have done both sections will report that the Badlands are their favorite. The two sections are wildly different in geology, topography, hikes, sites and wildlife. The Badlands are generally less travelled and have only one developed campsite. There are several in-tact homesteads to explore, bighorn sheep to hopefully spot and vast, towering landscape surrounding you. The ‘Breaks’ refers to how the land appears from above - it appears as though the braided, twisted and numerous drainages leading down to the river have broken the landscape.