Montana's Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River is a one hundred forty-nine mile wilderness stretch of the Missouri River that has changed but little since Lewis and Clark first saw it in 1805. In addition to the river corridor's incredible beauty, it played a major role in the settling of the West, and there are scores of important historic sites along its banks, including Indian encampments, Lewis and Clark campsites, steamboat landings, fur trading post sites, and abandoned homesteads. The Upper Missouri is the premier section of the Lewis and Clark Trail, which stretches from St. Louis to the Pacific coast. The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument includes the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River, as well as tens of thousands of acres of wilderness public lands adjoining the river corridor.

The core of this book is a 'history digest', which locates important historic sites along the river, and provides a narrative describing the history of each site. When combined with the Bureau of Land Management maps for the river, floaters can relive the history of the Upper Missouri, while enjoying the beauty and peacefulness of the river.

Additional chapters describe the river's geology, wildlife, and provide tips for individuals planning to float the Upper Missouri.
Glenn Monahan operates a guiding and outfitting service on the Upper Missouri; Chan Biggs is a retired, Bureau of Land Management river ranger.