Missouri River Ferry Crossings

At the conclusion of our 2021 summer trip to the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming, we drove north to Ft Benton Montana for a multiday canoe trip on the Missouri river. Unfortunately, it was so smokey from fires that we decided not to do the paddle trip and instead started wandering around middle/eastern Montana. I had read about these ferry's that still run on the Missouri so we detoured and endeavored to find a couple of them.

The first for us was the Carter ferry which is the furthest west near Great Falls MT. The signage to this ferry is terrible, and we were lost for much of our approach from the south side of the river. Additionally the state map we had did not show many of the dirt roads we used to get there. This ferry is not often used and you really have to want to find it!





We got to the landing shortly after 6pm. The ferry's run from 9 to 7 daily except Sunday when they don't run at all. On this side of the river, there is a box with a button you push to call the ferry over. It took the driver a solid ten minutes to come out of the house and wander down to the boat and get it moving-must have caught him at supper time... it seemed like an eternity given that we would have had a 100 plus mile dirt road guess fest to get back somewhere approximating civilization.

The ferrys' are pulled back and forth using cables and a winch. They are noisy. You are supposed to stay in your vehicle during the crossing. The ferry's are free and run by the county. Ferrymen work week long shifts and have the winters off.





That night we stayed in a hotel in the city of Chinook MT-tired and worn out from a long day of driving and not wanting to camp in the smoke another night. First night in a bed in 10 days-shower was wonderful as was the AC!

In the morning we headed off to the McClelland ferry from Chinook. This is the furthest east of the three ferry's. From Chinook it is about 70 plus miles of dirt roads to get to the ferry, AND, there is a big crux at the top of the canyon down to the ferry as the road is impassible if it is raining or wet! Of course rain showers were being predicted for the day. All went well with a few wet spots/showers on the drive to the river. The landscape is beautiful and worth the drive just for the scenic value. The road enters the Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument just before dropping down to the river-we had a dry dusty decent. the ferry its self was similar to the other we had taken; however, the ferryman was much more personable and talkative.













Overall a fun detour-lots of driving and dirt roads but a unique experience on the road less traveled!

 

We will be taking the Stafford-Mclelland ferry in a couple weeks and then driving the Missouri Breaks Byway. Any tips for the drive down to the ferry from the north? We will be coming from Cut Bank that day

 

Looks like you will have some pavement to get to the roads down to the ferry. We came down from Chinook MT which is about 150 mi from Cut Bank on Hwy 2. We came up Hwy 87 to Havre and then over-there are several other routes posted to the ferry along this section from Ft Benton to Havre. May be some options there to explore...

Make sure conditions are dry. All the locals are adamant that you do not drive this when it is wet. The last mile or so down through the canyon is steep, with switch backs and all on clay so it is an ice rink with water. It is even signed not to proceed if wet. This is BEAUTIFUL country. I really enjoyed the drive from Chinook down to the river. The road is in great shape, just watch for live stock. I think it is about 60 mi from Chinook to the river and 15 or so miles are pavement-the dirt is smoother...

These pictures are at the top of the canyon starting the decent down. We got tangled up with a grader servicing the road, so I was focused on that and we didn't take any pictures of the actual decent. Again, road is maintained and in good condition.





Forgot about the scenic drive... we didn't do that section. None of this was planned and we did the best we could with no pre-planning. Let us know how the scenic section plays out-sounds as if there is some 4 wheeling involved... FUN!