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Missouri Breaks Back Country Byway, Montana
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Contact Us About this Site
Description: Captain Merriwether Lewis recorded detailed and vivid descriptions
of the Upper Missouri River in his journal, including notes on the
geology and wildlife, particularly the Audubon bighorn sheep, whose
agility impressed him deeply. The Audubon are extinct, replaced by
introduced Rocky Mountain bighorns, but otherwise, Captain Lewis
would have no problem recognizing the area. After the Corps of
Discovery opened the west, the Missouri became an important trade
route for fur traders, and later for gold miners and settlers. The
invention of the steamboat eased transport and communication, but
wreaked havoc on the riparian ecosystem, as each boat consumed up to
30 cords of wood per day.
Today, the area seems remote and peaceful, with little evidence of
the rich history. Waterfowl and raptors like sparrow hawks, prairie
falcons and golden eagles nest in the cliffs and the riparian zone,
prairie dogs inhabit the bottomlands, and turtles, beaver and 49
species of fish thrive in the waters. Fishing for goldeye, drum,
sauger, walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, carp and smallmouth
bass, as well as enormous paddlefish. These latter fish, a kind of
living fossil, can weigh up to 140 pounds, and can be taken during
spring runs.
Side Trips:
The 10-mile long Woodhawk Trail is 12 miles east of Winifred,
then 14 miles northeast of the junction. It leads to Sunshine and
Deweeses Ridges. Two miles further east, the 5-mile long Woodhawk
Bottom Road heads down to the river, the historic Gus Nelson
homestead, and a small recreation site. Three miles east of the
Woodhawk Bottom Road is the 2-mile long Power Plant Ferry Road. Until
the Fred Robinson Bridge was built, the Power Plant Ferry was the
only area crossing. Five miles east of the Power Plant Ferry Road is
the 2-mile long Heller Bottom Road, which features beautiful scenery
and spectacular geology.
Location: From Lewiston, head 38 miles north to Winifred on MT Secondary Route 236. From Winifred, head east on Knox Ridge Road. 12 miles in, the road branches, and you can head north on Lower Two Calf Road or continue east on Knox Ridge. The roads connect in the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. From one junction to the next, it is 34 miles on Lower Two Calf Road and 23 miles on Knox Ridge Road. Total loop is about 80 miles and takes 2-3 hours.
Address: Lewistown Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
Airport Road/ P.O. Box 1160
Lewistown, MT 59457 |
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Phone: 406-538-7461 |
Season: summer; impassable in inclement weather |
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Fee: no |
Reservations: no
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Activities
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Biking
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Fishing |
Picnicking
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| Boating (Motorized) |
Hiking/Backpacking
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Scenic Driving
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| Boating (Non-motorized) |
Horseback Riding |
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| Boating (WW) |
Hunting |
Water Sports |
| Camping |
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Wildlife Viewing |
| Caving |
Off Highway Vehicles
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Winter Sports
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| Climbing
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Services and Facilities
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Visitor Center
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Group Campgnd
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RV Sites
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Exhibits |
Campgnd, Primitive
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Electric Hookup
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Interpretive Programs
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Drinking Water
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Dump Station
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Cultural-Historic Sites
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Restrooms
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Boat Ramp
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Campgnd, Developed
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Showers
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Marina |
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| Rental Cabins |
Notes: The gravel and unimproved roads of the byway become totally impassable when wet. Do not attempt this drive in inclement weather.
Put-ins for the Wild & Scenic Upper Missouri at Fort Benton,
Loma, Coal Banks Landing, Judith Landing or Stafford Ferry. Take-outs at any of these points or at the James Kipp Recreation Area. Dispersed camping permitted on BLM lands.
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