Reflecting on a Summer Day Trip on the Missouri
By Laurie Bedford

As winter settles in and the cold, dark evenings allow for limited outdoor activity, I find myself reflecting on warmer times when outdoor activities were more readily had and much easier to negotiate—or so it seems. With three kids in high school and a full time job, there opportunities become less frequent to enjoy the outdoors for extended periods of time—even in the summer. When we can however, we try to at least engage in some day activities. These can often prove to provide the same kinds of enjoyment relaxation that we often think that we need longer trips to find

One such trip was Missouri River kayak trip that we took, starting just below the dam in Pierre. On a Tuesday evening in June, my 16-year-old daughter Kelsey and I drove to Pierre from the Black Hills and spent the evening at the Oahe Downstream campground. We set up out tent against a looming South Dakota thunderstorm and were pleased that we were able to get settled before the rain hit. While we consider ourselves rugged campers, we also don’t mind a few modern conveniences, so, while the rain pounded the tent outside, we were comfortable and warm watching DVD’s until we fell asleep.

The next morning we woke to a beautiful sunrise and hopes of a warm day. We left early for Pierre and drove to the Steamboat Park, just over the River from Fort Pierre. We left the vehicle at the park and rode our bikes back to the campground via the paved bike path that follows the river along highway 1804 for about 5 miles. By this time the wind was picking up from the North considerably, but were determined to continue on our trip.

Back at the campground about an hour and a half later, we rested, had a snack, and carried out kayaks to the river. We were lucky enough to get a campsite near the beach, so it wasn’t much of a walk. We put in just off the swimming beach and crossed the River to the east side where we followed the shore back towards Pierre. The River is shallow along this shore, with the depth rarely getting more than waist deep, until you get closer to town along the residential neighborhoods bordering the shore. This was good, because by this time it was quite windy and we were glad that we had it at our backs. Still, we found paddling back into town towards Steamboat Park a challenge, but well worth it.

We put in at the boat ramp at the Park about another hour and half from when we started. First things first, we changed out of our wet clothes (from the waves licking up over the sides of our kayaks—June, but still quite cold), loaded the kayaks, and headed straight to Dairy Queen for hot fudge sundaes. Back at the camp for the evening, we sat along the shore until dusk. Still windy to safely start a campfire, we decided on a couple of DVD’s to keep our minds occupied until time for sleep. The next morning, we broke camp and headed home.
While we made this a couple days’ trip, it could easily be done in a single day, heading out early and getting home late. The trip from Griffin Park in Pierre to the Oahe Downstream recreation area is only about 5 miles each way. The bike path is paved and even so even those who are not in the best of physical shape. The shallows near the shore of the River also provide an excellent opportunity for those who have less experience kayaking and traveling with the current allows for less physical exertion. I would recommend this trip as a day outing or as part of a multi-day adventure.