James Kipp Recreation Area
Located along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and within the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, the James Kipp Recreation Area offers interpretive signage, 19 single units and 15 multi/group camp sites, drinking water, public telephone, a floaters tent camp site, boat ramp, fish cleaning table, 8 restroom sites, and an RV dump station. There is a host on site during the summer season. All facilities are handicapped accessible.
Amenities
- Boat Ramp
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Pay Phone
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms
- Trash Cans
Primary Activities
Camping
This 34-site campground provides access to the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River and Fort Peck Lake. Floaters have their own camp site near the boat ramp with a table and warming unit. Sites are first-come, first-serve. There is a 14-day limit.
Cost: $12/night (more information)
Birdwatching
You can find Red-Eyed Vireo, Mountain Bluebird, Bullock's Oriole, Great Horned Owl, Long-Eared Owl, Brown Thrasher, Common Nighthawk, Green-Tailed Towhee, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Western Kingbird, American White Pelican, and Pheasants at James Kipp Recreation Area.
Best Season(s): Spring through fall
Information courtesy of Birding Trails Montana: 240 Birding Locations Across the Big Sky State.
Boating & Canoeing
James Kipp Recreation Area is the terminus of the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River and main takeout point for boaters boating the badlands section of the river. Upstream travel restrictions are in effect from June 15 through September 15 annually.
- Fees
- View the Boaters' Guide for floating Judith Landing to James Kipp Recreation Area.
Fishing
Forty-nine species of fish (ranging from 1/2-oz. minnows to 140 lb. paddlefish) reside in the Missouri River. Fishermen are most likely to catch goldeye, drum, sauger, walleye, northern pike, channel cat, carp, and small mouth buffalo. Of the six remaining paddlefish populations in the United States, the Upper Missouri's appears to be the largest in average size. Other unusual species in the river are the endangered pallid sturgeon and shovel nose sturgeon.
How to Get There
The entrance to James Kipp Recreation Area is located south of the Missouri River off of US 191.
