Canoeing the Little Missouri River

The headwaters of the Little Missouri River, historically also called Wakpa Chan Shoka, are in northeastern Wyoming.  The river flows from south to north through parts of Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and the rugged badlands and rolling prairie of western North Dakota.  In North Dakota, the Little Missouri River enters the southwestern corner of the State and flows in a northerly and then easterly direction to its confluence with Lake Sakakawea near Killdeer.  The river flows through the Little Missouri National Grasslands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park and is the only river that the State has designated as a scenic river.

The Little Missouri River is characterized by a highly seasonal flow.  Before canoeing, it is important to check conditions on the river to determine that the river is not flooding and that there is adequate water for canoeing.

The Little Missouri River has a drainage area of about 4,750 square miles in North Dakota.  The treeless and barren slopes of the Little Missouri River Basin produce rapid and excessive overland runoff, and tributary streams flood frequently.  Because the river channels of the basin are in the easily eroded shale and sandstone of the badlands, large quantities of sediment are transported downstream.

Physiographic points of interest along the Little Missouri River in North Dakota include Doaks Butte, Cedar Ridge,Cedar Hills, Pretty Butte, Bullion Butte, Chimney Butte, Peaceful Valley, Beef Corral Bottom, Pikes Peak, Wolf Draw, Hay Draw, Grassy Butte, Black Top Butte, Buckhorn Butte, Ice Box Canyon, Achenbach Hills, Sperati Point,Round Top Butte, Wolf Chief Bay, Sagebrush Coulee, Moccasin Creek Bay, Charging Eagle Bay, String Buttes,Hidatsa Bay, Bear Creek Bay, McKenzie Bay, Water Chief Bay, Hay Flat, and Lake Sakakawea.

Little Missouri River Resources

• Canoeing Recommendations

   

• Marmath Gage

   

• Medora Gage

   

• Watford City Gage

   

• 2 Year Graph

   

• Maps

   

• Additional Information

Little Missouri River Mileage South to North

Marmarth to Billings County Line Billings County Line to Medora Medora to Elkhorn Ranch Site Elkhorn Ranch Site to McKenzie County Line McKenzie County Line to US Highway 85 (Long X Bridge) US Highway 85 to ND Highway 22 (Lost Bridge)

79.0 miles 41.5 miles 39.5 miles   9.5 miles 58.5 miles 40.5 miles

Scenery 

Below are images of scenery along the Little Missouri River.  Click on an image to view a larger version.  Use your browser's back command to return to this page.

Aerial photograph of Marmarth Credit: U.S. Geological Survey	Aerial photograph of Medora Credit: U.S. Geological Survey	The Little Missouri River from a canoe, near Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park June 22, 2001 Credit: National Park Service
Bull bison on the banks of the Little Missouri River, near Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park June 22, 2001 Credit: National Park Service	A wild horse on the banks of the Little Missouri River, near Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park June 25, 2001 Credit: National Park Service	View from Wind Canyon Overlook in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park July 16, 1999 Credit: National Park Service
View from Wind Canyon Overlook in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park July 27, 2001 Credit: National Park Service	People crossing the Little Missouri River at the north boundary of the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park May 31, 2001 Credit: National Park Service	Banks of the Little Missouri River Credit: National Park Service
The Little Missouri River in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park August 1963 Credit: National Park Service	CCC Shelter, built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, overlooking the Little Missouri River in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park June 1990 Credit: National Park Service	The Little Missouri River viewed from the CCC Shelter in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park August 24, 2001 Credit: National Park Service
Aerial photograph of Long X Bridge Crossing, south of Watford City Credit: U.S. Geological Survey	Little Missouri River near Watford City May 1943 Credit: U.S. Geological Survey	Aerial photograph of the Little Missouri River entering Lake Sakakawea June 16, 1995 Credit: U.S. Geological Survey

To read what Lewis and Clark said about the Little Missouri River, click HERE.