Join the MNRR at the Kids Art fest
2023-05-30 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | SD
MNRR will be a participant in the 31st Annual Kid’s Art Fest next Tuesday, May 30 from 5-7:30 pm at Riverside Park in Yankton. Kids Art Fest is hosted by the Yankton Area Arts.

Enjoy an evening filled with fun, hands-on art activities provided by area groups who love sharing the arts and the Missouri National Recreational River staff. Come and build a craft with national park rangers to celebrate one of the most revered animals that calls the Missouri River home!

Homestead Day
2023-06-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Pierson Ranch Recreation Area, 4 miles west of Yankton, SD, Yankton, SD, United States
Homestead Day. Pierson Ranch Recreation Area . Saturday, June 10. 10 am to 1 pm. 4 miles west of Yankton on Highway 52.

Kids Art in the Park --Yankton Area Arts on May 28
2024-05-28 08:00 - 17:00 | SD
More information about time and place is coming soon!

River Honoring Event at Clay County Park
2024-06-09 15:00 - 21:00 | Clay County Park, Vermillion, SD, United States
The 7th Annual Missouri River Honoring Event will be held June 11 from 3-9pm at Clay County Park. This event is a community river potluck from 5-6, native storytelling 6-7 and live music 7-9.

Missouri River Cleanup Day 2025
2025-05-03 08:00 | Riverside Park, 200 Levee St, Yankton, SD, 57078, United States
Missouri River Cleanup day with the Missouri National Recreational River!
Riverside Park. Saturday, May 3rd – 8am to noon.
Take a boat ride or clean up on shore! Help us keep the Missouri River beautiful, clean and safe!
Enjoy free coffee and doughnuts, a boat ride, time to spend with friends and family, and more!
To register open PDF below and visit the QR code on poster!
Poster & Registration Click Here

Missouri River Cleanup
2026-05-02 08:00 - 12:00 | Riverside Park, 200 Levee St, Yankton, SD, 57078, United States
Since 2005, volunteers at the Missouri River Cleanup in Yankton, SD have collected more than 100 tons of trash! Join us for the Missouri River Cleanup on Saturday, May 2nd from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm at Yankton’s Riverside Park. We will spend the morning cleaning up the river by picking up litter and debris. Most volunteers will get a boat ride to locations along the river to collect litter. Others who prefer to stay on land can help clean up the shoreline in Riverside Park.
Enjoy free coffee and doughnuts, a boat ride, a free t-shirt, time to spend with friends and family, and more while helping to keep our Missouri River beautiful! Lunch will also be provided by the Friends of Missouri National Recreational River and the Missouri River Events Committee.

When: Saturday, May 2nd from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Riverside Park Boat Ramp in Yankton, SD
How to register: You can register in advance by calling 605-665-0209 x21 or send an email to: MNRR_VisitorInfo@nps.gov. Volunteers may also register the day of the cleanup.

If you have any questions, please call the National Park Service/MNRR at 605-665-0209 x21 or email at: mnrr_visitorinfo@nps.gov.
We hope to see you on May 2nd!

Meet the Missouri River Speed Record Paddlers!
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:30 | Riverside Park, 200 Levee St, Yankton, SD, 57078, United States
This summer, four paddlers are attempting to break the world record for fastest paddle down the Missouri River.
That’s 2,341 miles. From Three Forks, MT to St. Louis, MO. Paddling 24/7. In less than 33 days, 18 hours & 45 minutes!
Come meet the Missouri River Speed Record Paddlers to learn all about their epic journey to break the record!

WHEN: Thursday, May 7th at 6pm
WHERE: Riverside Park Amphitheater. (In case of inclement weather, this event will take place in G.A.R. Hall at 508 Douglas Ave. in Yankton, SD)

This is a FREE event. All are welcome!
Learn more about the Missouri River Speed Record by visiting their website or checking them out on Facebook.
This event is proudly brought to you by Friends of the MNRR and the South Dakota Canoe and Kayak Association.

Paddle with a Purpose
2026-06-06 08:00 - 12:00 | Riverside Park, 200 Levee St, Yankton, SD, 57078, United States
Join park rangers from the Missouri National Recreational River for Paddle with a Purpose, a combined litter cleanup and kayak float to experience, enjoy, and protect the Missouri National Recreational River Water Trail.
The kayak float will begin at the Chief White Crane Boat Ramp near Lake Yankton and end at Riverside Park in Yankton, SD. For the litter cleanup, we will take time to collect litter and debris from our starting location at Lake Yankton, from Green Island Recreation Area (an island along our float route), and our end location at Riverside Park.
This will be a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to explore and learn about the Missouri River during the kayak float while also collecting trash from popular recreation spots where the litter can accumulate and end up in the river.
To register as a volunteer, you must call the Missouri National Recreational River at 605-665-0209×21 and speak with a park ranger to confirm your registration. More details about shuttling, what to bring, etc. will be provided upon registration.
All prospective volunteers should have experience kayaking and must be over the age of 16.
If you have any questions, please call 605-665-0209×21 or email Hannah Ringquist, Hannah_Ringquist@partner.nps.gov

Kayak Clinic with MNRR
2026-06-10 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-21 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-28 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-05 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-08 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-12 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-19 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Lake Yankton, 31323 Toe Rd, Yankton, SD, 57078, United States
The Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) is offering FREE kayaking clinics this summer from 9 AM to 12 PM every other Wednesday beginning June 10th and every Sunday starting June 21st through September 2. 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.

Freedom 250 Friday with MNRR
2026-06-12 09:00 - 12:00 | Dakota Territorial Capitol Building, Levee St., Yankton, South Dakota, 57078
Join park ranger from the Missouri National Recreational River on Friday mornings at the Dakota Territorial Capitol Building for “Freedom 250 Friday.” This is a come-and-go event were youth and folks of all ages can come and participate in games, crafts, trivia, and more to learn about the Missouri River, its history, wildlife, and more.
If you have questions about these programs, please call NPS/MNRR at (605)665-0209 x21.

Homestead Day
2026-06-13 10:00 - 13:00 | Pierson Ranch Recreation Area, 4 miles west of Yankton, SD, Yankton, SD, United States
Homestead Day is an event hosted by South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks that includes many different historical activities and exhibits for the whole family. The activities range from making (and eating) homemade ice cream and butter, finding gold using a mining sluice, wearing old timey clothes, visiting with a modern day honey farmer, viewing historical displays, making your own ragdoll, and sampling some Dutch oven cooking!
The National Park Service will be there with the MNRR Mobile Ranger Station!
And the Birds of Prey Program is back again!
WHEN: Saturday, June 13th from 10am-1pm
WHERE: Pierson Ranch Recreation Area near Yankton, SD
COST: Free entrance will be available for the first 100 attendees. Following that, a SD State Park Entrance License will be required.

605 Unity Jam
2026-06-14 10:00 - 20:00 | Wagner Lake, Wagner SD, 101-157 Walnut Ave NW, Wagner, SD, 57380, United States
The 605 Unity Jam is a Jamboree of Art, Food, & Music! The goal is to bring cultures together at an event where everyone is welcome!
Activities include:

Live Music
Outdoor church service
Buffalo Art
Arts and Craft Vendor Show
Youth Powwow
Native and Czech Dance Demonstrations
Bean Bag Tournament
Youth Fishing Derby
& More!

Friends of the MNRR and park rangers from the Missouri National Recreational River will at the event with youth activities and information about programs, the river, and more from 11am to 6pm. And, MNRR rangers will be assisting with the Youth Fishing Derby!
For general questions about the 605 Unity Jam, contact Dana Sanderson: 605-491-1485 or danasanderson51@gmail.com
For questions about food or vendor fair, contact Nikki Zephier (605-491-1485) or Ericka Kotab (605-491-0260)

River Honoring Ceremony @ Clay County Park
2026-06-14 17:00 - 21:00 | Clay County Park, Vermillion, SD, United States
The 2026 River Honoring Ceremony will be held riverside at Clay County Park on Sunday, June 14, from 5-9PM.
Community potluck dinner begins at 5, followed by 2 speakers from the local Native community, 2 local bands, NPS Kids’ River Trailer, and other activities for the kiddos.
All are welcome, if you’d like, please bring a dish to pass and a comfortable chair.
Come and join our community as we celebrate the Missouri National Recreational River, backbone of our local and regional community, history, and identity.

Freedom 250 Friday with MNRR
2026-06-19 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-26 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-03 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-10 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-17 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Dakota Territorial Capitol Building, Levee St., Yankton, South Dakota, 57078
Join park rangers from the Missouri National Recreational River on Friday mornings at the Dakota Territorial Capitol Building for “Freedom 250 Friday.” This is a come-and-go event were youth and folks of all ages can come and participate in games, crafts, trivia, and more to learn about the Missouri River, its history, wildlife, and more.
If you have questions about these programs, please call NPS/MNRR at (605)665-0209 x21.

River Float with MNRR and Ponca State Park
2026-06-20 08:30 - 12:00 | Ponca State Park, 88090 Spur 26E, Ponca, Nebraska, 68770-0688
Join National Park Service rangers and naturalist staff from Ponca State Park for a kayak float on the Missouri River. Paddle about 8 river miles from the North Ponca Addition to Ponca State Park Boat Ramp. See wildlife, experience the beauty of the river, and learn from rangers and naturalists!
Paddlers must have kayaking experience. Ages 12 & up are welcome!
Limited spots are available. Call 402-755-2284 to register.
All equipment is provided.

Fishing Clinic with MNRR
2026-06-20 09:30 - 23:30, 2026-06-27 09:30 - 11:30 | Chief White Crane Recreation Area, 31323 Toe Rd, Yankton, South Dakota, 57078
Park ranger from the Missouri National Recreational River are hosting weekly fishing clinics on Saturday mornings this summer. Join them to learn the basics of knot tying, casting, conservation, and more! These FREE fishing clinics are great opportunities for kids to practice their skills.
Fishing gear will be provided for participants to use. No registration is required.
Clinics will take place at the fishing pier is Chief White Crane Recreation Area along Lake Yankton. A South Dakota entrance license is required to enter the recreation area.
If you have any questions about the fishing clinics, please call NPS/MNRR at (605)665-0209 x21.

Paddle with a Purpose
2026-07-03 08:00 - 12:00 | Riverside Park, 200 Levee St, Yankton, SD, 57078, United States
Join park rangers from the Missouri National Recreational River for Paddle with a Purpose, a combined litter cleanup and kayak float to experience, enjoy, and protect the Missouri River Water Trail.
The kayak float will begin at the Chief White Crane Boat Ramp near Lake Yankton and end at Riverside Park in Yankton, SD. For the litter cleanup, we will take time to collect litter and debris from our starting location at Lake Yankton, from Green Island Recreation Area (an island along our float route), and our end location at Riverside Park.
This will be a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to explore and learn about the Missouri River during the kayak float while also collecting trash from popular recreation spots where the litter can accumulate and end up in the river.
To register as a volunteer, you must call the Missouri National Recreational River at 605-665-0209×21 and speak with a park ranger to confirm your registration. More details about shuttling, what to bring, etc. will be provided upon registration.
All prospective volunteers should have experience kayaking and must be over the age of 16.
If you have any questions, please call 605-665-0209×21 or email Hannah Ringquist, Hannah_Ringquist@partner.nps.gov
