Jeff LeRoy 
As a retired army colonel, Jeff brings a unique perspective to our tours offering a view of the Corps of Discovery through a military lens. The Lewis & Clark Expedition was, after all, an army operation. Jeff combines his love of history, knowledge of the expedition and military background to provide campfire discussions and share historical stories while maximizing the guest experience for adventure on the river. Jeff spent 30 years in the Army and Army Reserve while also embarking on a corporate career with Procter & Gamble where he has worked in communications, public relations and media procurement. He is both a former radio show host and local elected official who is passionate about selfless service and lifelong learning. Jeff earned a degree in International Relations from West Point and holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Missouri River – 4-Day Trips
June 19 – 22 – Summer solstice on the river!
Aug 25-28 – the second leg of the 6-day trip. This trip will cover the Missouri Breaks – Judith Landing to James Kipp – 4-day trip from Judith Landing (our take out for 3 & 4-day white cliff trip) to James Kipp – through the Missouri Breaks with less people, more remote with less human impact. A great option for those who would like to continue where they left off on a white cliff’s trip. Price $1450 per person.
More info on our Missouri River Canoe Trips
Missouri River – 3-Day Trips
May 23-25 – Memorial Day Weekend
Aug 23 – 25 – the first leg of the 6-day trip through the white cliffs
Sept 4-6 – Labor Day Weekend
More info on our Missouri River Canoe Trips
$1800 per person / $1650 12 years & under
- Aug 23 – 28 – Join Jeff LeRoy, Jamie Ahre and Ted Helvoigt – a dynamic trio of guides with a depth and breadth of experience and good times to last a lifetime!
Missouri River 6-day itinerary
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Kevin Niehaus – Naturalist
Originally from southern Indiana, Kevin grew up where the Midwest meets the South, exploring the forested hills and muddy river bottoms along the Ohio River. Obsessed with wildlife, evolution, paleontology, and sharing the curiosities of the natural world with anyone who would listen, Kevin has always sought out every outlet to learn and teach others about finding new ways to see and experience the landscape. He came out West in 2014, exploring the coasts of western Oregon before spending four years working for Canyonlands Field Institute in Moab, Utah. Kevin then spent a year working as an educational Wildlife Expeditions Guide for Teton Science Schools in Jackson, Wyoming, before moving to Missoula in 2020 to return to school and complete a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana. While completing his degree, Kevin volunteered on various large-scale research projects and worked several seasons for Ecology Project International as an instructor for their Yellowstone Program. In his free time, Kevin loves straddling the line between nerd and naturalist, playing fantasy tabletop games with friends, creating ceramic sculptures, soaking in natural spaces, rafting rivers, and recharging at home with his introverted cat. He is excited for the opportunity to build community through the Montana Natural History Center and help more students connect to this beautiful region we call home.
You can also catch Kevin every Friday with Vicki Chaney on Montana Public Radio’s Pea Green Boat.
Missouri River – 4-Day Trips
- June 2-5 – The 4 day itinerary allows for more time for on-shore exploration and early June offers unique opportunities with tall green grasses and possible prickly pear cactus blooms!
More info on our Missouri River Canoe Trips
Mark Albers
June 25-27 – A Special for participants of the Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance Annual Meeting
Paddle with retired BLM land manager of the Missouri Breaks, Mark Albers. In our 30 plus years of outfitting, we recognize dedication to our public lands AND how to maximize fun recreating on Montana’s river, mountains and lakes. Between recreation and professional career have spent my entire life on the Missouri. Raised in Ft Benton, BLM North Central Montana District Manager, Montana Director of American Rivers, Missouri River Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Special interests in Cottonwood Regeneration, Floodplain Management, and Natives Fishes. Mark has a wealth of knowledge about history, conservation and public land stewardship. Paddling in the wake of the Lewis & Clark expedition, there will also be information and discussions on those topics, but this a wonderful opportunity for insights into your public land and natural environment.
Author Stephenie Ambrose Tubbs
July 13-15
Paddle the Wild & Scenic Upper Missouri with Stephenie Ambrose-Tubbs, celebrated author, outdoor enthusiast and daughter of the late Stephen Ambrose. Uncover the layers of history, most notably, the cross continental journey of Lewis & Clark with fellow guest who share the same quest for knowledge and adventure.
Stephen Ambrose’s book, Undaunted Courage, has inspired many to paddle this section of the Missouri River also known as The White Cliffs. You’ll camp where they camped, see what they saw and learn about their trip through Stephenie’s engaging discussions, breadth of knowledge and inspiring love of the rivers and lands of the Lewis & Clark Trail. Stephenie Ambrose Tubbs is author of The Lewis and Clark Companion; An Encyclopedic Guide to the Voyage of Discovery, and Why Sacagawea Deserves the Day Off; Lessons from the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Lectures nationally about her experiences and observations on the Lewis and Clark Trail which she first followed in 1976 with her father, bestselling author Stephen Ambrose. In addition to working with the Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures for the past decade, Stephenie serves as chair on the Lewis and Clark Trust Inc. a non-profit aimed at preserving the Trail and all of its aspects through conservation and education. She is on the Board of the Montana Preservation Alliance and the advisory council of the American Prairie Reserve. Recently had the pleasure of working with National Georgraphic/Linblad ‘s ship, the Sea Lion, on the Columbia River. Holds two degrees in History from the University of Montana and currently is collaborating on book in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Montana Historical Society.
Missouri River – 3-Day
More info on our Missouri River Canoe Trips
Ralph White – 4-day Trip
Aug 5 – 8
Ralph brings a long-standing interest in American History and a love of the landscape of Montana to LCTA. Growing up in Virginia, and then attending the College of William & Mary, in Williamsburg, fueled a life-long interest in history. In Washington, Ralph attended Catholic University Law School, worked as a Senate Committee staffer, and recently retired from the Government Accountability Office. Ralph offers a perspective of the Expedition as President Jefferson’s vision of a scientific, diplomatic, and cultural mission, hashed out with Merriwether Lewis in the President’s House, while Lewis worked as the President’s secretary, sole staffer, and housemate. In addition to the history of the expedition, Ralph enjoys sharing the same wonder about the Missouri River and Montana landscape that animated the expedition’s journals more than 200 years ago.
- This trip will cover the Missouri Breaks – Judith Landing to James Kipp – 4-day trip from Judith Landing (our take out for 3 & 4-day white cliff trip) to James Kipp – through the Missouri Breaks with less people, more remote with less human impact. A great option for those who would like to continue where they left off on a white cliff’s trip. Price $1450 per person.
Missouri River – 4-Day
More info on our Missouri River Canoe Trips
Joel Meier – 4-day Trip
Date TBD
Join us with guest Joel Meier, Professor Emeritus, Indiana University – Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies and The University of Montana – Recreation Management, and Associate Dean, College of Forestry and Conservation. Wayne Fairchild, founder of LCTA, graduated from University of MT with a degree in Outdoor Recreation while Joel was head of the department. Joel developed the CORE program, with a strong focus on wilderness and the positive impacts on people and societies who recreate in wilderness. The program and it’s philisophy was an inspiration for Wayne as he developed his small business.
In addition to LCTA guide’s Lewis & Clark historical interpretations, Joel will add topics around “Wilderness, what is it” and “The four phases of a Recreation Experience, and why Outdoor Recreation is the best kind of Recreation”. Joel is a world traveler and life long adventurer who enjoys being a ski, kayak and motorcycle bum around the world!
Missouri River – 4-Day
More info on our Missouri River Canoe Trips
Mark Albers
June 25-27 – A Special for participants of the Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance Annual Meeting
Paddle with retired BLM land manager of the Missouri Breaks, Mark Albers. In our 30 plus years of outfitting, we recognize dedication to our public lands AND how to maximize fun recreating on Montana’s river, mountains and lakes. Between recreation and professional career have spent my entire life on the Missouri. Raised in Ft Benton, BLM North Central Montana District Manager, Montana Director of American Rivers, Missouri River Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Special interests in Cottonwood Regeneration, Floodplain Management, and Natives Fishes. Mark has a wealth of knowledge about history, conservation and public land stewardship. Paddling in the wake of the Lewis & Clark expedition, there will also be information and discussions on those topics, but this a wonderful opportunity for insights into your public land and natural environment.
Kevin O’Briant – 3-day Missouri River
Date TBD
Founders Trip 
Date TBD
Join Wayne for some L&C history, stories from 30+ years of outfitting and their favorite river cuisine.
Trip Planning Resources:
- Gear Lists & Recommended Reading
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Trip Cancellation Policy & Guest Responsibility
Travel, Trip and Cancellation Insurance
Why is travel insurance so important?
In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. LCTA recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer travel protection through Travelex Insurance Services.
Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 26-0048.
Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York), 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196. Certain coverages not available in all states.