Motorboat Excursions

An Experience for the Whole Family

The Missouri River is a majestic place to be experienced by a motorboat! That is why we are offering the Big Muddy Boat Ride Series out of Cooper's Landing between April and August of 2021. Each month, registered participants will have the opportunity to step aboard our motorboat for a 2-hour interactive experience where we'll introduce you to our treasured natural resource.

Upcoming Trip Dates Include: Friday, August 13th and Saturday, August 14th at 9:00am-11:00am, 11:30am-1:30pm, 2:00pm-4:00pm, 4:30pm-6:30pm.

Big Muddy Boat Ride Series Details

2 Hour Motorboat Trips for One Family and/or Friends (4-12 people min/max)
At Cooper's Landing in Columbia, MO
Registration Opens Two Weeks Before Each Months Boat Ride.
Suggested donation: $25 Per person

Participants will meet at Cooper's Landing and receive a safety talk and life jacket before loading onto the motorboat. If you want to make a whole weekend out of the experience, you can make camping reservations at Cooper's Landing website or check out their schedule of live music and food trucks on Cooper's Landing Facebook page.

Big Muddy Boat Ride Series Registration

Registration for the Monthly Boat Ride Series opens two weeks before the boat trips. Complete the online registration process here.

Please have your payment information ready if you are donating to Missouri River Relief. The suggested donation is $25 per person. Remember that our boat capacity is a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 12 people.

Special Events

Wild & Scenic Art Auctions Sunset Excursions River Races View All Events

Big Muddy Boat Ride Series Schedule

During the following dates and times, we will host motorboat trips. Registration for these trips will open up two weeks before each month's boat ride.

Dates & Times: 9:00am-11:00am, 11:30am-1:30pm, 2:00pm-4:00pm, 4:30pm-6:30pm

April 2021

Friday, April 23^rd
Saturday, April 24^th

May 2021 (Veteran & Military Service Members Boat Rides)

Friday, May 14^th
Saturday, May 15^th

June 2021 (LGBTQ+ Boat Rides)

Friday, June 25^th
Saturday, June 26^th

July 2021

Friday, July 16^th
Saturday, July 17^th

August 2021 (Women's Boat Rides)

Friday, August 13^th
Saturday, August 14^th

Update: September and October have been canceled due to limited resources due to another amazing large-scale program called the 'Big Muddy Clean Sweep" check out a link here and see how you can get involved.

Big Muddy Boat Ride Series Celebrates You

Join our monthly motorboat rides for Veteran & Military Service Members in May, LGBTQ+ in June, and Women in August! These boat rides are an opportunity to getting outside, connect us to ourselves, to each other, and our treasured natural resources.

May is Veteran & Military Service Members boat rides in honor of National Military Appreciation Month

Participants who are veterans with prior military service, active military service members in the United States Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserves, and military family members or friends can also participate.

June is LGBTQ+ boat rides to celebrate Pride Month

Participants who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, two-spirited, intersex, asexual, pansexual, agender, gender queer, bigender, gender variant, and pangender; LGBTQ+ participants family members and friends can also participate.

August is Women's boat rides to honor Women's Equality Day

Participants who identify as a woman, transgender woman, gender expression is female or uses "she/her" pronouns. Participants' family members and friends can also participate.

Important Information

Covid-19 Program Policies

All participants will be encouraged to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing.
Motorboats will be sanitized before each new group of participants.
All participants will be provided with a fresh life jacket (not previously worn). If you have your own lifejacket you are more than welcome to bring it.

Covid-19 Group Size

All motorboat trips are limited to one family and/or friends. All groups must have a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 12 people.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is safety going to be handled on the river?

Safety is our number one priority; we will provide participants with a safety talk and life jackets before going on the boat ride. Participants do not need to know how to swim because we will not be entering the water. Experienced boat captains pilot our aluminum plate boats that have all completed boat operator training and are assisted by deckhands.

What type of boats will we be in?

Participants will be on the Missouri River in a 28-foot open boat, with an aluminum plate and a 200-horsepower marine motor that we call the Lucia.

How should I come prepared for the trip?

We will send out an email prior to the trip with information on how to come prepared but here is the basic information:

A face mask is encouraged to participate in the program. We recommend hand sanitizer as well.
Dress comfortably, bring a jacket and hat come prepared for the weather.
Sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended.
Wear sturdy footwear that you are willing to get wet or muddy. (no flip flops)
Bring a re-usable water bottle. Water jugs will be provided on the boat.
If the river levels are low enough we might make it to an island, just in case bring some fun toys for the sand.
If you have a Life Jacket that fits you, bring it.

Can a homeschool group or family participate?

Yes. If you are a homeschool family or a teacher with a pod of students booking a trip, we have an additional pre-post curriculum to incorporate into your experience, just contact our education director at [email protected] to receive a copy.

If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Schulte at [email protected] 573-443-0292.