Missouri River
The Missouri River is a major North American waterway that flows from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River, shaping the Great Plains and serving as a historic route for exploration and travel.
Learn More
Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Midcontinent—USA |
| Subregion | Great Plains |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Jackson County |
| Timezone | AmericaChicago |
| Latitude | 39.1 |
| Longitude | -94.6 |
| Maps |
8:15 PM LOCAL TIMEThe Missouri River is one of North America's great rivers, rising in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana and winding over 2,341 miles (3,767 km) to join the Mississippi River at St. Louis, Missouri. Along its course, it passes through or borders states including Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, offering a vast and varied landscape of prairies, river valleys, and urban reaches. Historically central to Native American cultures, European exploration, and westward expansion, today the river hosts recreation, fishing, and geographic and ecological diversity. Key locations and tributaries — such as the Bighorn River, Platte River, and Kansas City — mark significant segments of its journey. Travelers might paddle or boat in suitable downstream segments, follow historic routes along roads and trails, or explore parks and cities along its banks. The river's flow and appearance vary with season and rainfall, providing best-season windows in spring and early summer and potential for high flows and flooding during spring runoff.
All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Sun Dec 14, 2025, 2:55 AM