Kayak Clinic

The Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) is offering free kayaking clinics this summer every Wednesday from 9 AM to 12 PM beginning June 11 through September 3. The clinics will take place on Lake Yankton at the non-motorized boat launch near Chief White Crane St......More

The Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) is offering free kayaking clinics this summer every Wednesday from 9 AM to 12 PM beginning June 11 through September 3. The clinics will take place on Lake Yankton at the non-motorized boat launch near Chief White Crane State Recreation Area off Toe Road, near the “bubble”.Kayaking is increasing in popularity and the National Park Service wants people to learn to paddle safely. The minimum age requirement to be in a kayak alone is 10 years old. Minimum age to attend is 5 and children ages 5-9 must be accompanied by an adult in a tandem kayak. No prior paddling experience is required. These clinics provide an introduction to kayaking for visitors to learn basic paddling skills and critical safety information. Fun activities on the water will follow the instruction!Kayaks, equipment, and personal floatation devices (PFDs) are provided. Bring sunscreen, water, and clothes and shoes that can get wet. Enrollment for the clinic is limited and reservations are required. To reserve a spot please call the MNRR office at (605) 665-0209 extension 21. First 12 that sign up will be accepted. Deadline for reservations is noon the day prior to the clinic date. 

Meet at the parking lot for the "bubble" at Lake Yankton - Boat launch next to Chief White Crane State Recreation Area.

Guided Bird Walk

From the common American Robin to the beautifully vibrant Baltimore Oriole, birds vary in so many amazing ways. We hope to see you bright and early on Thursday, July 24th so we can experience these birds together at our Guided Bird Walk on the Paddlewheel Point Trail! B......More

From the common American Robin to the beautifully vibrant Baltimore Oriole, birds vary in so many amazing ways. We hope to see you bright and early on Thursday, July 24th so we can experience these birds together at our Guided Bird Walk on the Paddlewheel Point Trail! Birders of all experience levels and ages are welcome! The walk is around ½ mile, on both paved and gravel trails. We recommend bringing your own water, snacks, and binoculars/cameras if you’ve got them. Meet the National Park Service at the trailhead by the Yankton Thrive Visitor Center (803 E 4th St, Yankton, SD).  Please call 605-665-0209 Ext. 21 or email mnrr_visitorinfo@nps.gov if you have any questions about this event.  

Paddlewheel Point trailhead by the Yankton Thrive Visitor Center at 803 E. 4th Street in Yankton, SD.

Music at the Meridian

Join National Park Service rangers with the Missouri National Recreational River mobile ranger station at the Music at the Meridian free concerts on Thursdays! Family fun activities for all ages! 

Jr. Ranger Day at Riverside Park

Calling all Junior Rangers! Join National Park Rangers in Riverside Park every Friday in July from 9am – 12pm for fun Junior Ranger Activities! This is a come-and-go event, so feel free to stop by anytime between 9 am and 12 pm. Learn about birds, wildlife, steamboats, ......More

Calling all Junior Rangers! Join National Park Rangers in Riverside Park every Friday in July from 9am – 12pm for fun Junior Ranger Activities! This is a come-and-go event, so feel free to stop by anytime between 9 am and 12 pm. Learn about birds, wildlife, steamboats, river safety, Lewis and Clark, national parks and more! Fill out your Junior Ranger book and earn a badge! There will be something new to learn every other week. We hope to see you there!For additional information you can contact Abby @ abigail_schauer@nps.gov 

Riverside Park East picnic shelter

Nebraska Bumble Bee Atlas Field Day

The Nebraska Bumble Bee Atlas is a statewide community science project focused on tracking and conserving our native bumble bees. Anyone is welcome to join the Atlas—no experience is needed. Come work alongside researchers to help fill knowledge gaps about our native bu......More

The Nebraska Bumble Bee Atlas is a statewide community science project focused on tracking and conserving our native bumble bees. Anyone is welcome to join the Atlas—no experience is needed. Come work alongside researchers to help fill knowledge gaps about our native bumble bees! At this field training, an Atlas staff coordinator will teach the basics of surveying at the Missouri National Recreational River (Mulberry Bend Overlook). This event will be a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, identify local bumble bees, connect with fellow volunteers, and get any lingering questions answered! This event will take place outdoors. Close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended. Before attending this training, we recommend that you review the online training material or the participant handbook. Materials can be found here: https://www.bumblebeeatlas.org/pages/nebraska

Mulberry Bend Overlook near Newcastle, NE

Evening Ranger Talk

Join a park ranger from Missouri National Recreational River for an evening talk to learn more about the Missouri River, its resources, history, and more. Topics for the Summer 2025 season include birds and their feathers, geology of the Missouri River, outdoor recreati......More

Join a park ranger from Missouri National Recreational River for an evening talk to learn more about the Missouri River, its resources, history, and more. Topics for the Summer 2025 season include birds and their feathers, geology of the Missouri River, outdoor recreation and campfire safety, fish adaptations, and more!Talks will be held at the campfire pit at Clay County Park Campground. 

Clay County Park Campground

Fishing Clinic

Join us as we learn the basics of recreational fishing, ethical angling practices, and how we can do our part to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species! Ranger will cover topics on conservation, stewardship, basic tackle, knot tying, casting, safety, and more wi......More

Join us as we learn the basics of recreational fishing, ethical angling practices, and how we can do our part to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species! Ranger will cover topics on conservation, stewardship, basic tackle, knot tying, casting, safety, and more will be available. All fishing equipment will be provided for use during the event. All ages are welcome! Anglers 18 years and older must have a valid SD Fishing License.

Chief White Crane Recreation Area Fishing Pier

Kayak Clinic

The Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) is offering free kayaking clinics this summer every Wednesday from 9 AM to 12 PM beginning June 11 through September 3. The clinics will take place on Lake Yankton at the non-motorized boat launch near Chief White Crane St......More

The Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) is offering free kayaking clinics this summer every Wednesday from 9 AM to 12 PM beginning June 11 through September 3. The clinics will take place on Lake Yankton at the non-motorized boat launch near Chief White Crane State Recreation Area off Toe Road, near the “bubble”.Kayaking is increasing in popularity and the National Park Service wants people to learn to paddle safely. The minimum age requirement to be in a kayak alone is 10 years old. Minimum age to attend is 5 and children ages 5-9 must be accompanied by an adult in a tandem kayak. No prior paddling experience is required. These clinics provide an introduction to kayaking for visitors to learn basic paddling skills and critical safety information. Fun activities on the water will follow the instruction!Kayaks, equipment, and personal floatation devices (PFDs) are provided. Bring sunscreen, water, and clothes and shoes that can get wet. Enrollment for the clinic is limited and reservations are required. To reserve a spot please call the MNRR office at (605) 665-0209 extension 21. First 12 that sign up will be accepted. Deadline for reservations is noon the day prior to the clinic date. 

Meet at the parking lot for the "bubble" at Lake Yankton - Boat launch next to Chief White Crane State Recreation Area.

Music at the Meridian

Join National Park Service rangers with the Missouri National Recreational River mobile ranger station at the Music at the Meridian free concerts on Thursdays! Family fun activities for all ages! 

Evening Ranger Talk

Join a park ranger from Missouri National Recreational River for an evening talk to learn more about the Missouri River, its resources, history, and more. Topics for the Summer 2025 season include birds and their feathers, geology of the Missouri River, outdoor recreati......More

Join a park ranger from Missouri National Recreational River for an evening talk to learn more about the Missouri River, its resources, history, and more. Topics for the Summer 2025 season include birds and their feathers, geology of the Missouri River, outdoor recreation and campfire safety, fish adaptations, and more!Talks will be held at one of the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks campground near Yankton, SD, including Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, Chief White Crane Recreation Area, or Pierson Ranch Recreation Area. 

Yankton County Fair

Visit Missouri National Recreational River's Mobile Ranger Station at the Yankton County Fair! Learn about the river, ask a ranger questions, and spin the wheel to answer a trivia question and win a prize!

Yankton County Fairgrounds in Yankton, SD.