Coal Banks Landing

🛶 **Introduction / Overview: Launch Your Montana River Adventure**

For Montanans looking to step back in time and explore one of the most uniquely preserved landscapes in the West, **Coal Banks Landing Recreation Site** is the ultimate starting point. Situated along the historic Upper Missouri River, near the small community of Loma, this campground and access site is a vital part of the **Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument**. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Coal Banks Landing is renowned as the primary launch point for legendary float trips through the iconic **White Cliffs** section of the Missouri River—a stretch of water largely unchanged since the journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

This is a place where history meets rugged natural beauty. The site itself holds historical significance as a low-water steamboat landing and a refueling stop where low-grade coal was once dug from the river banks. Today, it serves a different purpose: providing a quiet, developed basecamp for river enthusiasts, bird watchers, and those seeking the profound solitude of the Big Sky Country. As one local visitor noted, it’s simply a "Quiet little park on the river," offering everything you need to begin your descent into "Big Muddy."

🗺️ **Location and Accessibility: A River Mile Marker**

Coal Banks Landing is an essential access point for the **Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River**, located at approximately river mile 41.5. The site is geographically situated near Loma, Montana, in Chouteau County, making it a critical hub for the central Montana region.

The physical address is provided as **Loma, MT 59460, USA**, but for travelers navigating Montana's rural roads, it is best described as being accessible via a drive off U.S. Highway 87 North. Visitors should look for appropriate turn-offs onto county or access roads, such as Gardiner Road, east of US Highway 87 N (often around mile marker 66.7), to reach the river. While the campground is accessible by road and can accommodate various camping vehicles, the sheer remoteness of the **Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument** means visitors should prepare for significant travel on potentially unpaved or less-maintained roads.

The site features:

• **Concrete Boat Ramp:** A newly constructed boat ramp facilitates both motorized and non-motorized vessel launching, crucial for starting the multi-day float trips for which the monument is famous.
• **River Access:** The campground offers direct, walk-in access to the Missouri River for fishing, launching small watercraft, or simply enjoying the riverbank.
• **Accessibility:** The BLM has made efforts to ensure accessibility, with features like extended picnic tables that can accommodate wheelchair users located near the contact station and certain campsites.

💧 **Services Offered**

As a developed BLM recreation site within a National Monument, Coal Banks Landing provides necessary services to support both overnight campers and river users. The sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning Montanan users should plan to arrive early, especially during the peak summer floating season.

• **Campsites:** There are approximately 20 campsites available, designed for both tent and RV camping. About five of these sites can accommodate trailers or recreational vehicles up to 40 feet in length. **Note: No electrical or sewer hookups are available.**
• **Water:** Potable drinking water is available at the site. This system is seasonal, typically becoming operational after the last spring freeze, usually by May 15th.
• **Restroom Facilities:** Vault toilets (pit toilets) are provided and are routinely maintained for visitor convenience.
• **Campsite Equipment:** Each designated campsite includes a picnic table and an established metal fire ring for cooking and campfires.
• **Visitor Center/Contact Station:** A seasonal volunteer host contact station and visitor center are often available (typically May 15th through September 15th), offering valuable information about the river, history, and current conditions.
• **Connectivity:** Free Wi-Fi is often available at the visitor center, a handy feature for final trip planning before heading into the monument's remote river corridor.
• **Trash Removal:** Dumpsters are provided for trash disposal, encouraging a "Leave No Trace" approach.

✨ **Features / Highlights**

Coal Banks Landing is much more than a place to park an RV; it's an immersive experience in Montana's unique natural and historical heritage.

• **Gateway to the White Cliffs:** This is the most significant highlight. The campground is the principal launch point for the most iconic multi-day float—the journey through the soaring, sculpted sandstone formations of the White Cliffs, a geological marvel praised by Lewis and Clark.
• **Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail:** The area is rich in history, sitting directly on the path of the Corps of Discovery. Interpretive markers and the on-site visitor center help connect modern visitors to this pivotal moment in American exploration.
• **Exceptional Stargazing:** Located in a remote area with minimal light pollution, Coal Banks Landing boasts incredibly dark skies, receiving the highest Class-1 rating on the Bortle Scale. This makes it an ideal spot for astronomy enthusiasts to view the Milky Way and other celestial wonders.
• **Wildlife and Bird Watching:** The confluence of the river and the breaks habitat supports a diverse array of wildlife, including Bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, and various bird species, making it a fantastic location for wildlife viewing and photography.
• **Fishing:** The Upper Missouri River is celebrated for its sport fishing, offering chances to catch walleye, channel catfish, and northern pike right from the riverbank or by boat.
• **Quiet and Seclusion:** Despite being a main access point, customers consistently describe it as a "quiet and comfortable" park, protected from the surrounding plains wind and offering the tranquility Montanans seek.

☎️ **Contact Information**

Coal Banks Landing is a facility managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as part of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. For the most accurate, up-to-date information regarding water levels, road conditions, and river permit regulations, always contact the BLM's local office.

• **Address:** Loma, MT 59460, USA (Nearest town to the access point)
• **General Monument Office Phone (Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center):** (406) 622-4000
• **Alternative/BLM Phone:** (406) 378-2159 (Often associated with the local managing office or a nearby access point)

🏞️ **What is Worth Choosing Coal Banks Landing**

Choosing **Coal Banks Landing** is choosing a classic Montana adventure. It is worth selecting for local users who are specifically planning a **multi-day float trip** through the iconic White Cliffs section of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, as it is the most popular and best-equipped launch site for this journey. Its location on the river, combined with the presence of a new concrete boat ramp and a visitor center (with the perk of free Wi-Fi), simplifies the logistics of launching a major river excursion.

Furthermore, it appeals to those seeking a secluded, quiet camping experience rooted in history. It provides a clean, well-maintained, yet rustic camping environment where you are truly out in the "Big Muddy" country. Whether you're a paddler, an angler, a history buff tracing the path of Lewis and Clark, or simply someone who appreciates a Class-1 dark sky for stargazing, Coal Banks Landing serves as the essential, accessible, and informative gateway to one of Montana's most majestic and least-developed treasures.