Backcountry Camping in the MNRR
Missouri National Recreational River offers primitive, Leave-No-Trace camping available at Bow Creek, Green Island, and Goat Island Recreation Areas.
Year-round Pets allowed
National Recreational River
Missouri National Recreational River
Missouri National Recreational River is a National Recreational River in South Dakota, Nebraska. The NPS currently lists 0 active alerts, 3 campgrounds and 1 visitor center, and no entrance fee.
South DakotaNebraska National Recreational River No entrance fee
Updated · NPS Data API
About the park
“Imagine a 100-mile stretch of North America's longest river, a vestige of the untamed American West. The Missouri National Recreational River is where imagination meets reality. Two free flowing stretches of the Missouri make up the National Park.”
Active alerts
0
Closures
0
Campgrounds
3
Visitor centers
1
Current alerts and closures
The NPS listed no active alerts for this park in the Oct 28, 2026 snapshot. Conditions can change; check current conditions on nps.gov before you go.
Entrance fees and passes
This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.
Things to do
Become a MNRR Junior Ranger
Do you care about exploring, learning about, and protecting the Missouri River? If yes, become a Junior Ranger! There are many ways to earn a Junior Ranger badge at Missouri National Recreational River, and this fun activity book is a great place to start.
30-45 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Stargaze at Spirit Mound
stargaze
Year-round Pets allowed
See all 14 things to do in Missouri →
Activities the NPS lists for Missouri.
Auto and ATVScenic DrivingAstronomyStargazingBikingRoad BikingBoatingCampingCanoe or Kayak CampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup CampingRV CampingFishingFreshwater FishingFoodDiningPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingHands-OnCitizen ScienceHikingFront-Country HikingHunting and GatheringHuntingLiving HistoryPaddlingCanoeingKayakingJunior Ranger ProgramPlaygroundSkiingCross-Country SkiingSwimmingPool SwimmingFreshwater SwimmingWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park StoreGift Shop and Souvenirs
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Operating hours
The entire park includes the 39-Mile District and 59-Mile District. Both districts are open 24 hours, seven days a week.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | All Day |
| Tuesday | All Day |
| Wednesday | All Day |
| Thursday | All Day |
| Friday | All Day |
| Saturday | All Day |
| Sunday | All Day |
Weather: Rapid weather changes are common along the Missouri National Recreational River corridor. Variations from season to season and from year to year are great.
Contact and directions
- Phone
- 605-665-0209 ext. 21
- [email protected]
- Address
- 508 East 2nd Street, Yankton, SD 57078
- Coordinates
- 42.7882, -97.5908· View on OpenStreetMap
Visitor centers
| Visitor center | Standard hours | Phone | Passport stamp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri National Recreational River Headquarters | Mon 8:00AM - 4:30PM · Tue 8:00AM - 4:30PM · Wed 8:00AM - 4:30PM · Thu 8:00AM - 4:30PM · Fri 8:00AM - 4:30PM · Sat Closed · Sun Closed | (605) 665-0209 ext. 21 | Yes |
Campgrounds
| Campground | Total sites | Reservable | First-come | RVs | Fee | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bow Creek Primitive Camping | 5 | 0 | 5 | No | Free | — |
| Goat Island Primitive Camping | 2 | 0 | 2 | No | Free | — |
| Green Island Primitive Camping | 5 | 0 | 5 | No | Free | — |
Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.
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More parks in South Dakota
Badlands National ParkJewel Cave National MonumentLewis & Clark National Historic TrailMinuteman Missile National Historic SiteMount Rushmore National MemorialWind Cave National ParkAll in South Dakota
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Nearest other NPS sites
- Pipestone National Monument MN
- Niobrara National Scenic River NE
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, MT, NE, ND, OH, OR, PA, SD, WA, WV
- Homestead National Historical Park NE
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site SD
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail IL, IA, NE, UT, WY
Sources
- Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
- Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/mnrr/index.htm
- Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.