Missouri River OUtfitter trip logistics

Logistics

Offering services exclusively on the Upper Missouri River
for over 35 years

Getting here

Fort Benton is located in north central Montana. The nearest international airport is at Great Falls, 38 miles upstream. Interstate 15 goes through Great Falls as well. State Route 87 brings you to Fort Benton from the southwest or from the northeast if you are traveling Route 2. Amtrak stops in Havre 70 miles to our north. We offer shuttle service from the airport and the train station. Northwest has several daily flights into Great Falls. Rental cars and vans are available in Great Falls (Dollar Rent A Car 1-406-453-3535 or Thrifty Car Rental 1-406-454-2277)

Lodging:

Most folks spend a night before and after their trip in either Great Falls or Fort Benton. We have several establishments we can recommend.

Fort Benton:

Grand Union Hotel
#1 Grand Union Square
Toll Free 1-888-838-1882 local 406-622-1882 www. grandunionhotel.com
Award winning luxurious accommodations. Montana’s oldest operating hotel built in 1882 and completely restored to its former glory in 2000.
Offers: The Union Grille Restaurant and Bar and Outdoor Riverside Patio. Offers discounts to our guests.

Pioneer Lodge
1700 Front Street
406-622-5441
Located in the historic T.C. Power Building

Franklin Street Guest House
1105 Franklin Street
406-733-2261
Rent the entire house
www.fortbenton.com/franklin/index.htm

Great Falls:

Best Western Heritage Inn
1700 Fox Farm Rd.
1-800-548-8256 local 406-761-1900
Offers: Airport and in-town van shuttle service. Secure luggage storage. Restaurant and Bar. Pool/Hot Tub/Fitness Room. Offers discounts to our guests.

Tipping

On nearly every trip I’m asked what amount one tips the guides and crew and how it is divided. Tip as you would in a restaurant, this will work out to $20 to $30 per day per person. Therefore a couple might wish to tip about $160 for a 4-day trip. Tip money is divided equally between all hands. The lead guide get the same cut as the apprentice guide. The trip leader will pass on your entirely voluntary gratuity.

Michael & Meredith Gregston
Missouri River Outfitters
Box 99 - Ft. Benton, Montana 59442
1-866-282-3295
mro@mroutfitters.com

Canoe Pre- Trip Orientation

We meet at 6:30 the evening before the CANOE TRIP at the Grand Union Hotel. We will give each guest his or her dry bags and helpful packing tips. Camping gear familiarization, and safety procedures will also be reviewed. We generally meet at the public boat landing at the Old Fort at 8:30AM. If you have flown in we will pick you up at your lodging in Ft. Benton.

Canoe Trip Personal Gear

At every stop on your canoe trip you will need to step into water half way to your knees. Be prepared to get your feet wet. Old sneakers will work, so will your basic sandals but if they fit loosely you may loose one. River guides wear Chaco continuous strap sandals, they never slip off and wear like iron, but are expensive at $50-80.

Each person on our canoe trips will be provided with one large dry bag 16” in diameter by 28” high. This bag will hold all your clothes and your sleeping bag. You will also have a medium dry bag 12” by 28” to keep the things you will need during the day, such as, raingear, hiking shoes, etc. All your gear must fit into these two bags. Outdoor clothing suitable for our canoe trips can be found at mail order retailers such as L.L. Bean, REI, EMS, or NRS. Locally, our personal favorite is Big Horn Wilderness, 202 5^th St. South, Great Falls, Montana.

Quick drying layers from underwear to hat will keep you the most comfortable. For a 4- day warm season canoe trip in addition to underwear and swimwear, you will need 1 or 2 T shirts, a long and short sleeve shirt, a pair or two of shorts, a pair of long pants, raingear (top & bottom), sturdy hiking shoes, river sandals, a fleece jacket, and a hat that won’t blow away. A 32 oz. wide mouth Nalgene water bottle is required, they are widely available or we have them for sale. Spare sunglasses, a flashlight, camera, film, a daypack, and some cash for the trading post round out the necessities.

Cool Season Considerations

Early and late season trips (May-mid June and September-mid October) require warmer clothes.

Knee high rubber boots with thick wooly socks will keep your feet warm on cool mornings when getting in and out of the canoes. Think layers in the cool season, light to medium long underwear, warmer pants and shirts, fleece jacket or vest, wind/waterproof pants and jacket, gloves, and a hat.