Grand Union Hotel

FORT BENTON

THE BIRTHPLACE
OF MONTANA

THE UPPER MISSOURI
NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVER
– & –
UPPER MISSOURI BREAKS NATIONAL
MONUMENT

 

The Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River was designated in 1976 because of its uniqueness, special values and wild, scenic and recreational qualities marking its 149 miles as America’s longest undeveloped river stretch. To this day the Upper Missouri remains relatively unchanged and its settings vary from riparian vegetation, to the unique and beautiful White Cliffs, to the sharply carved and rugged Badlands, to the rolling, pine and juniper covered slopes of the Breaks. These contrasting habitats provide for a diverse and plentiful wildlife population, numerous recreational opportunities, livestock grazing and other multiple use activities. Though the Upper Missouri lacks the stimulating whitewater runs much sought after by thrill seekers it more than makes up for the river runners fix with its mesmerizing glimpse of the American west as it once was.

From the beginning novice to the expert paddler to the leisurely motor boat aficionado, visitors embark into a river corridor that swallows even the largest groups and treats them to a wilderness remoteness impossible to find elsewhere. Optimum periods for boating are May through September with fishing and hunting use replacing leisure boating during the shoulder seasons. Trip lengths may vary from one day to ten days or more. By far the most popular float, taking in the scenic White Cliffs, expends two nights with the takeout on the third day. In this section, visitors will find developed boat camps with vault toilets, fire rings and superb hiking opportunities, not to mention the hauntingly beautiful, geographic splendor of the region. For those with more time an extension of this trip permits experiencing the even more remote and uniquely appealing Breaks of the lower river section.

The Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument is a national monument created by Presidential proclamation in 2001 protecting the Missouri Breaks of central Montana and a complement to Montana’s two National Parks. Called “The Breaks” by locals, it is a series of badland areas characterized by rock outcroppings, steep bluffs and grassy plains. The Monument encompasses 495,502 acres, most of which were already managed by the U.S. government. The adjacent Missouri River was designated a Wild and Scenic River in 1976 and forms a western boundary while the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge is to the east. The Breaks country was a model for many of the paintings done by painter Charles M. Russell.

LEWIS AND CLARK
NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL INTERPRETIVE CENTER

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center is located in nearby Great Falls and is one of the premier attractions along the 3,700-mile Lewis and Clark Trail. The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center tells the story of the 1804 expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark journeying 8,000 miles across the country and the people and land their party encountered along the way. The center averages about 50,000 visitors each year with a mix of tourists and residents. The center is managed by the USDA Forest Service and constructed along the bank of the Missouri River.

CHARLES M. RUSSELL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

This 1.1-million-acre, 125-mile-long territory along the Missouri River Breaks has long been known as the “American Serengeti” by generations of big-game hunters who’ve made pilgrimages there.

Outside of hunting season, the area offers scenery unlike any other part of Montana and isolation that belies the network of roads seen on a map. This landscape holds bizarre secrets. Hikers have stumbled across nearly complete dinosaur skeletons recently eroded out of cliff walls. Herds of antelope gallop across the prairie at speeds up to 70 mph, and stunning herds of elk wander as they did when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark first passed through.

This 1.1-million-acre, 125-mile-long territory along the Missouri River Breaks has long been known as the “American Serengeti” by generations of big-game hunters who’ve made pilgrimages there.

Outside of hunting season, the area offers scenery unlike any other part of Montana and isolation that belies the network of roads seen on a map. This landscape holds bizarre secrets. Hikers have stumbled across nearly complete dinosaur skeletons recently eroded out of cliff walls. Herds of antelope gallop across the prairie at speeds up to 70 mph, and stunning herds of elk wander as they did when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark first passed through,

MUSEUMS

MUSEUM OF THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS

This is the official museum of agriculture for the state of Montana located in Fort Benton. It tells the story of three generations of farmers from 1908 until 1980. The museum has 30,000 square feet of exhibition space with a village of businesses from the homestead era of the 1920’s.

 

MUSEUM OF THE UPPER MISSOURI

The history of Fort Benton and the Upper Missouri River region from 1800 to 1900 is yours to explore at this Museum in Fort Benton. It highlights the important role Fort Benton played in the settlement of the American West as a trading post, military fort and the head of steamboat navigation on the Missouri River.

 

HISTORIC FORT BENTON SITE

The Fort was originally built in 1846 as a trading fort by the American Fur Company for trade with the Blackfoot. The remaining blockhouse is the oldest man made structure in the state. The completed Fort buildings are now open to the public. Guided Tours are offered from the end of May through the end of September.

 

MISSOURI BREAKS INTERPRETIVE CENTER

The Interpretive Center is located in Fort Benton, Montana and interprets the grandeur and wonder of the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River and the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. From hands-on exhibits and special educational programs to a relaxing riverside walking trail the facility tells about the area’s cultural and natural history.

 

C.M. RUSSELL MUSEUM

The C.M. Russell Museum in nearby Great Falls is an art museum dedicated to the art and life of Charles M. Russel, the art and lives of his contemporaries, and the art of preceding and ensuing generations that depicts and focuses on the culture, life, and country of Russell’s West.

HISTORIC FORT BENTON

Fort Benton is a living tribute to the days when the West was wild, the landscape uncharted and the rivers connected the country. Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, the famous western artist Charlie Russell, Montana’s first Territorial Governor, Thomas Meagher, or western outlaws like Kid Curry, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Visit historical landmarks or float and explore the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument considered the best place in the nation to experience the Lewis & Clark Trail.

Fort Benton is nestled alongside the Missouri River on the High Plains of Montana. The region defines Big Sky Country with its blue dome of sky overhead, the Rocky Mountains faintly in view and the sacred buttes and peaks of Central Montana looming nearby. The climate in the summer is typically hot and dry, cooling off toward evening especially in the river valley. During spring and autumn, it is warm during the day and cool in the evenings. While it is cold in winter, the area receives generous winter sunshine and crystal clear skies. Warm Chinook winds also are common in winter snapping a cold streak in hours. At any time, sudden weather changes are common, so be prepared. Sweaters and jackets come in handy even in summer and layering is recommended.

OUTDOOR PURSUITS

GOLF

Fort Benton’s Signal Point Golf Course has 9 holes overlooking the Missouri River and is considered to be one of the finest, most challenging 9 hole courses in the state.

 

CANOE & FLOATING

There are three rivers in the Fort Benton area, the Teton, the Marias, and the Wild and Scenic Missouri River. Each provides a flat water canoe or float experience. Bring your own canoe or rent one. Go by yourself or arrange a river guide. Ask our group coordinator for a list of outfitters and guides.

 

FISHING

The Missouri River is home to a variety of game fish including trout, sauger, walleye, pike, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, drum and paddlefish. One of six remaining wild populations of paddlefish thrive here in the Missouri River along with soft-shelled turtles and rare shovel-nosed and pallid sturgeon. Trout fishing above Great Falls is considered one of the best areas in the state.

 

HUNTING

Upland bird hunting is excellent for pheasants, hungarian partridge and sharptail grouse. For waterfowl hunter the Missouri River is a major migration corridor for ducks and geese. Pronghorn antelope are plentiful. Mule deer numbers are good here with giant bucks to be found in the more remote canyons nearby. Whitetail deer are also common in the cottonwood areas along the river. Some of the biggest bull elk in Montana can be found in the area although drawing a permit is not easy. A Missouri River Breaks bighorn sheep tag is one of the most coveted big game licenses in the world. The Breaks consistently produce some of the biggest bighorn rams in the country.

 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Fort Benton and its surrounding areas provide a perfect backdrop for a bike ride along a winding prairie road, a hike to the top of Square Butte Mountain, a picnic in the Shonkin Mountains, or a leisurely stroll along our historic levee.