The Missouri River is fun to explore from its 3,000 miles of South Dakota shoreline, but there’s no substitute for getting on the water. Thank your lucky stars if you have a boat or — even better — a friend with a good boat. If not, there are rentals in most towns along the river. It needn’t be a power boat — canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and even simple tubes and floats suffice. Even the most inexperienced landlubber can enjoy the Missouri; just seek out the locals for advice.  Always wear a life jacket because there can be strange currents and whirlpools. Take special precautions on windy days and beware of cold-water temperatures in the spring and fall if you are on a tube or smaller vessel.