Missouri National Recreational River
Designation: National Recreational River
Location: South Dakota, Nebraska
📘 Park Overview
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. Relive the past by exploring the wild, untamed and mighty river that continues to flow as nature intended.
🌤 Weather Information
Rapid weather changes are common along the Missouri National Recreational River corridor. Variations from season to season and from year to year are great. Characteristics of the climate are hot summers and cold winters. Sunshine is abundant, particularly in the summer months. Average annual rainfall is 25 inches. Thunderstorms can be dangerous and visitors should be prepared for them, especially from June until late August. Winter snowfall averages 34 inches annually.
🚗 Directions
The National Park Service headquarters is located at 508 East Second Street in Yankton, South Dakota.
Images
Aerial view of the Missouri River and surrounding landscape.
Credit: NPS Photo
Sunken remains of the North Alabama steamboat appears only when water is low.
Credit: NPS Photo
Scenic view of Missouri River on a sunny day
Credit: NPS Photo
Educational trailer with painted pictures
Credit: NPS Photo
Get into nature by paddling the Missouri River.
Credit: NPS Photo
Aerial view of the Missouri River and surrounding landscape.
Credit: NPS Photo
Sunken remains of the North Alabama steamboat appears only when water is low.
Credit: NPS Photo
Scenic view of Missouri River on a sunny day
Credit: NPS Photo
Educational trailer with painted pictures
Credit: NPS Photo
Get into nature by paddling the Missouri River.
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Tuesday, Apr 21
Sunny
High: 87.1°F | Low: 50.5°F
Humidity: 30%
Wind: 19.2 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 7
Sunrise: 06:39 AM
Sunset: 08:19 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (17%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 54.1°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Apr 22
Sunny
High: 84.4°F | Low: 60.2°F
Humidity: 51%
Wind: 25.9 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 7.3
Sunrise: 06:37 AM
Sunset: 08:20 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (27%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 61.7°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Apr 23
Patchy rain nearby
High: 78.2°F | Low: 55°F
Humidity: 45%
Wind: 27.7 mph
Rain Chance: 87%
UV Index: 6.6
Sunrise: 06:36 AM
Sunset: 08:21 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (38%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 57.1°F
Cloud Cover: 87%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Fire Weather Watch issued April 20 at 11:20PM CDT until April 22 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Effective: Apr 21, 2026 12:20am
Expires: Apr 21, 2026 2:00pm
The National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley has issued a Fire
Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.
* AFFECTED AREA...Knox and Cedar Counties.
* TIMING...From Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.
* WINDS...South 20 to 250 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 23 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Park Events
20th Missouri River Cleanup
Volunteer with Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) by collecting litter and debris from the Missouri River at the annual Missouri River Cleanup event on Saturday May 2nd from 8am to 12pm.
Volunteers will meet and sign-in at the Riverside Park boat launch in Yankton, SD. The majority of volunteers will be transported on boats by the National Park Service or other agency partners to collect litter at designated areas along the Missouri River. Other volunteers will stay in Riverside Park, picking up litter along the shoreline and/or unloading trash from returning boats.
By volunteering, you can help keep the river cleaner and healthier for people, fish, and wildlife, get a free Missouri River Annual Cleanup T-shirt, and get a free lunch as a thank you for all your hard work!
For more information about the event, contact Abby Schauer at abigail_schauer@nps.gov or call (605) 464-7645.
Location: Riverside Park boat launch in Yankton, SD
Date: May 2, 2026 12:00am to May 2, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
508 East 2nd Street
Yankton, SD 57078
🏤 Mailing Address:
508 East 2nd Street
Yankton, SD 57078
📞 Voice Phone: 605-665-0209
📞 Fax Phone: 605-665-4183
✉️ Email: mnrr_visitorinfo@nps.gov