​The Missouri National Recreational River protects two stunning, untamed stretches of the legendary Missouri River—some of the last remaining free-flowing sections that Lewis and Clark once navigated on their journey west.

• 39 miles from Fort Randall Dam to Running Water, South Dakota

• 59 miles from Gavins Point Dam to Ponca State Park, Nebraska

At the heart of this scenic area is the Missouri National Recreational River Educational Center, where visitors can connect with the river’s raw beauty and discover how the Corps of Discovery experienced the Missouri more than two centuries ago.
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It was along this pristine section that National Geographic filmed the IMAX epic Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West, capturing the landscape’s natural splendor and historic resonance. The location was chosen for its unspoiled beauty—sandbars, snags, and sweeping meanders still shape the land, just as they did in 1804 and 1806. While much has changed, this river still whispers history.

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Expedition Timeline: Up the Missouri National Recreational River Area

📍 August 22, 1804 – Elk Point, South Dakota
History was made along the banks of the Missouri. At a campfire council, the Corps of Discovery held the first vote west of the Mississippi River to replace the late Sgt. Charles Floyd. The men nominated William Bratton, George Gibson, and Patrick Gass. With 19 votes, Patrick Gass was elected sergeant in this early example of democratic decision-making on the frontier.

📍 August 23, 1804 – Near Vermillion, South Dakota
A day rich in natural encounters. The crew sighted abundant wildlife, and Joseph Field recorded the expedition's first buffalo kill, a crucial source of sustenance for the journey ahead.

📍 August 25, 1804 – Spirit Mound, North of Vermillion
Lewis, Clark, and a group of men, including York, Drouillard, and Colter, trekked to Spirit Mound, a site steeped in Native legend. The Lakota, Omaha, and Otoe peoples told of small, fearsome beings—"deavils"—who protected the hill with sharp arrows. The explorers, ever curious, climbed the mound despite the warnings, noting its commanding view of the prairie.

📍 August 30, 1804 – Calumet Bluff (modern Gavins Point Dam)
The captains convened a formal council with the Yankton Sioux at Calumet Bluff. Lewis and Clark delivered speeches, presented peace medals, and exchanged gifts to foster goodwill. That evening, the Yankton performed ceremonial dances late into the night along the Dakota shore. 
👉 The historic meetings came with a twist of legend.

📍 September 7, 1804 – “The Tower,” near Niobrara, Nebraska
While camped near today’s Niobrara National Scenic Riverway, the Corps of Discovery explored a prairie dog town, a first for many of the men. Fascinated by the animals, they successfully captured a live prairie dog after flooding its burrow with water—a feat that took much effort and ingenuity. The animal was placed aboard the keelboat and traveled all the way to Fort Mandan, where it wintered with the expedition. In the spring, it continued its journey down the Missouri River to Washington, D.C., where it was presented to President Jefferson—a living symbol of the West’s natural wonders.

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Unforgettable Views & Historic Landmarks

📍Scenic Overlooks – Experience the Missouri from above at Ponca State Park's stunning overlook or Niobrara State Park, where you can see the Niobrara and Missouri rivers collide.

• Bridge Views – Get a bird’s-eye view of the historic river at:

• The Vermillion-Newcastle Bridge (NE & SD side)

• Chief Standing Bear Memorial Bridge (SD side)

• Ionia Volcano – Once described by Clark as “very hot” and “lately on fire,” this historic bluff collapsed in 1878, but its remains still stand near Newcastle, NE.

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​​​​​​📍Spirit Mound – This sacred site north of Vermillion, SD, is where the expedition first spotted buffalo and vast Great Plains landscapes.
📖 Clark wrote on August 25, 1804:

“The Plain to North N.W. & N.E. extends without interuption as far as Can be Seen.”

Today, tribal members still visit for spiritual reflection.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

📍Old Baldy & Prairie Dogs – Near Lynch, NE, where Lewis and Clark first encountered “barking squirrels” (aka prairie dogs).
📖 Clark recorded their excitement on September 7, 1804:

“Discovered a village of an animal the French call the Prairie Dog… we attempted to drown them out but without success.”
 

Legends, Councils & Lost Landmarks

Lewis and Clark’s historic council with the Yankton Sioux took place near present-day Yankton, SD, though much of the original site was lost when Gavins Point Dam was built in the 1950s. But you can still take in sweeping views from the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center atop Calumet Bluff.

Struck by the Ree – According to tribal history, a Yankton Sioux child was born during this council. Upon hearing the news, Lewis wrapped the baby in an American flag, predicting he’d be a leader. That child grew up to sign the 1858 Treaty that helped shape the Yankton Sioux Reservation.

📖 On August 30, 1804, during the council, Clark noted:

“We met under an awning of our sails… we explained to them the objects of our journey & our friendly intentions towards them.”
 

Preserving the Wild Missouri-Keeping it Wild

The National Park Service works tirelessly to protect the Missouri River’s rich ecosystems, partnering with federal and state agencies to safeguard endangered species and preserve the habitats described in the Corps of Discovery’s journals.
 

Explore. Discover. Step Into History.

Whether you’re hiking, boating, or simply soaking in the scenery, the Missouri National Recreational River is a living museum of America’s past—one that Lewis and Clark would still recognize today.