Missouri National Recreational River Announces Significant Expansion

November 25, 2025

Addition of 676 acres provides increased outdoor recreation opportunities in South Dakota and the preservation of important habitat.

Washington, D.C. (November 25, 2025) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – National Park Trust and the National Park Service (NPS) have announced the successful acquisition of a 676-acre property on James River Island within the Missouri National Recreational River near Yankton, South Dakota. As the largest privately held tract on the 730-acre island, this acquisition is a landmark achievement, safeguarding irreplaceable natural habitats, preserving a historically significant landscape, and increasing public access while dramatically expanding the acreage managed by the park.

National Park Trust played a critical role in facilitating the acquisition, shepherding the complex appraisal process in a timely manner to establish a fair market value, ensuring the property remained in the hands of conservation-focused entities, and meeting the rigorous standards of the Department of the Interior. This effort prevented potential commercial development by other buyers that could have compromised the island’s unique habitats. The National Park Foundation was instrumental, providing a grant to National Park Trust for the appraisal.

This acquisition by NPS was made possible using $1.6 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which is permanently authorized at $900 million per year under the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act. LWCF protects public lands managed by federal, state, and local governments across the United States.

The newly acquired property is home to old-growth cottonwood forests and native prairie, both of which are rapidly disappearing across the region. It provides vital nesting habitat for federally endangered species, including the least tern and piping plover. Under NPS stewardship, the island will remain undeveloped, offering compatible recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and paddling, while ensuring the land’s ecological integrity is maintained.

“We are pleased to support the National Park Service when they seek our real estate expertise to protect our national park sites. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in our ongoing work to expand our nation’s treasured natural and historic places,” said Grace Lee, executive director of National Park Trust. “By preserving this remarkable stretch of James River Island, we are safeguarding critical habitat and ensuring greater access to outdoor recreation for the general public so they can experience the wild beauty that has defined this landscape for centuries.”

“Working together is essential to safeguard the national parks we all treasure, including recreational rivers and trails like the Missouri National Recreational River,” said Jeff Reinbold, CEO of the National Park Foundation. “We’re proud to support and collaborate with partners for the benefit of parks, the people who enjoy them, and the wildlife that depend on them.”

The island and surrounding area also hold significant historical importance, having served as a campsite for the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery in 1804 and 1806. Preserving this land ensures that the stories of these explorers and their journey along the Missouri River remain connected to the landscapes they traveled.

With the completion of this acquisition, the Missouri National Recreational River strengthens its role as a protected space where nature and history are honored. It offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to explore and connect with one of South Dakota’s most ecologically and historically significant landscapes.

To learn more about this project, please visit: https://parktrust.org/missouri-national-recreation-river-sd/.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, expanding 56 national park sites across the country. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison, College Ambassador, and Military Family Programs, as well as National Kids to Parks Day, serve tens of thousands of children annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.

Media Contact: Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org.