Missouri River, River in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, United States.
The Missouri River flows 2,341 miles (3,767 kilometers) through seven states from the Rocky Mountains to its junction with the Mississippi near St. Louis. Its course alternates between prairie landscapes, canyons, and rolling hills, with banks that shift from sandy to rocky and often lined with willows and cottonwoods.
Indigenous groups lived along the banks for over 10,000 years before French traders reached the river in the late 1600s. It later became the main route for fur trappers and settlers moving west, shaping the expansion of settlement across central North America.
Boating remains a popular way to travel for anglers and weekend visitors in many rural areas, following the rhythm of the water. Small towns along the banks hold regular festivals celebrating their connection to the river, featuring skills like net weaving and boat repair.
Several dams along the river create reservoirs suitable for water sports and fishing, while some stretches remain calm enough for canoeing. Access is available at numerous points including public boat launches, campgrounds, and overlooks along major roads that follow the banks.
The water carries an extraordinary amount of sediment, leading some to call it the muddiest river in the world. This cloudy current constantly forms new sandbars and reshapes the shoreline from year to year.
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