About
Missouri River, South Dakota — 1804 Lewis Clark, 1840s-1880s Cattle, 1990s-2010s Missouri SD Trail 100-mi Pierre. Cold tailwater flows from Fort Randall Dam push 24,000 CFS through 59 miles of the Missouri River between Gregory and Charles Mix counties in South Dakota. Designated as Missouri National Recreational River in 1991, this free-flowing stretch runs optimal between 15,000–40,000 CFS on gauge 06452000. The upper 30 miles from Fort Randall Dam to Running Water offer cold tailwater conditions with expansive sandbars for camping. Below Running Water, the river widens across 29 miles to its confluence with the Niobrara, creating numerous islands suitable for overnight stops. Missouri River Expeditions operates guided trips along this section of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, where paddlers work with substantial current but no technical rapids — all Class I water that moves fast enough to cover distance efficiently.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.