Missouri National Recreational River - Facilities

VISITOR CENTERS

Lewis and Clark Visitor Center

Open

This facility (402/667-2550) is the primary contact point for the rec river. It is on Nebraska Highway 121 about 4 miles west of Yankton, SD, and is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, the visitor center is open Sundays-Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is closed on weekends from early November to mid-April.

Phone

(402) 667-2550

Location

On Calumet Bluff overlooking the Missouri River and the Gavins Point Dam. It is located on Nebraska 121 about 4 miles west of the junction with US 81 and about 10 miles north of Crofton, NE. The center is operated and staffed jointly by the National Park Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Special Programs

Special programs dealing with the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Missouri River are featured during the summer, primarily on weekend afternoons.

Exhibits

Exhibits at the visitor center feature displays on the exploration, early navigation, settlement, and natural history of the river.

Available Facilities

Restrooms and book store. Three videos are available for viewing in the theater: a 9-minute film on construction of the dam, a 30-minute film on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and an 8-minute film on the Missouri National Recreational River.

Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center

Open

Open Mondays-Saturdays from 8 am to 4:30 pm and on Sundays from 1 to 4:30 pm. Hours are extended during the summer.

Phone

(402) 755-2284

Location

The visitor center is located inside the entrance to Ponca State Park and sits on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. Park headquarters and offices are also in this building.

Exhibits

Exhibits focus on various aspects of the natural and cultural history along the Missouri National Recreational River.

Available Facilities

Park headquarters, restrooms, gift shop, conference rooms and kitchen. In addition, the Missouri River Institute of the University of South Dakota has a laboratory and classroom in one wing of the building.