James Kipp Recreation Area

James Kipp, born in Montreal in 1788, was a fur trader, fort builder, steamboat captain, and a friend to many. In 1831, Kipp established Fort Piegan, the first trading post above Fort Union at the mouth of the Marias. He died at age 93. This site is a take-out point for floating the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River. It is also a popular paddlefish area and is used by numerous hunters and elk viewers at the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. The campground is located on the south bank of the Missouri River, downriver from the Fred Robinson bridge. Of the 34 campsites, 19 are considered single units and 15 are multi-group campsites. Each campsite has a concrete picnic table and fire ring, and all are accessible. Potable water, drinking fountains, and eight vault toilets are located throughout the campground. The site also includes an RV dump station, garbage dumpsters, public pay phone, and a fish cleaning table. A separate shuttle parking area and a floater campground are available for floaters. Day use areas are available for picnics. There is also a concrete boat ramp, interpretive kiosk, and a BLM contact station with on-duty campground hosts.