Blackfoot River
Missoula, MT

Montana's "Real West"

Norman MaClean
popularized the Blackfoot River, a river of age and rawness, unparalleled in notoriety and beauty. MaClean pined in his novella A River Runs Through It...

"On the Big Blackfoot River above the mouth of Belmont Creek the banks are fringed by large Ponderosa pines. In the slanting sun of late afternoon the shadows of great branches reached from across the river, and the trees took the river in their arms. The shadows continued up the bank, until they included us.

"Like many fly fishermen in western Montana where the summer days are almost Arctic in length, I often do not start fishing until the cool of the evening. Then in the Arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades to a being with my soul and memories and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise.

"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters."

"Haunting" Waters
Discover these beautifully "haunting" waters with Pangaea River Rafting. We offer spring time whitewater and summertime easy scenic floats. Bottomless emerald pools, diamond strewn riffles and eye-popping scenery beside towering cliffs and sweet smelling ponderosa pines combine to make the Blackfoot Montana's most iconic river.

Hours of Operation

Open 7 Days a Week!

• 8 am to 8 pm
  
• Conveniently Located Near Coeur d' Alene, Idaho / Missoula, Montana / Spokane, Washington
  
• Trips Available for all Ages!
  
• All you can eat lunches, wet suits, booties and shuttle provided!
  
• Great Price, Exceptional Quality, First Class Service!
  
• "Number 1 in Safety / Number 1 in Fun!"

 

Pick Your Adventure on the Blackfoot below:

Enjoy Montana ’s scenic landscapes, beautiful wildlife and enchanting water on a rafting trip down the legendary Blackfoot River. Made famous by Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It, the Blackfoot River offers a wide variety of adventure, from gentle scenic floats to wild whitewater fun. Enjoy this famous river from a raft, catered lunch included on full day trips. No experience necessary!

Where the Blackfoot Begins

Leave Boring Behind!

The "Big" Blackfoot River
The Blackfoot River, sometimes called the Big Blackfoot River to distinguish it from the Little Blackfoot River, begins in western Montana 10 miles northeast of the town of Lincoln, then flows westward until it enters the Clark Fork River 5 miles east of the city of Missoula at the town of Milltown. The canyon the river lies in and the valleys below were formed by what geologists refer to as Missoula Floods--the result of an enormous break of an ice jam, draining a gigantic lake.

Headwaters
The Blackfoot River headwaters atop the Continental Divide at Roger's Pass and flows 132 miles westerly to its confluence with the Clark Fork River near Missoula. The Blackfoot River Watershed totals about 1.5 million acres and is nestled between the Continental Divide, Bob Marshall/Scapegoat Wilderness Area, and Garnet Mountains.

Whitewater
The whitewater portion of the Blackfoot River starts at Russell Gates and is more than 45 miles long with numerous possibilities for different floats. During the high water season the Blackfoot River is a good class II-III river with exciting wave trains and a few exhilarating holes. The result is a dashingly beautiful stream that provides outstanding whitewater excitement and incredible scenery. It's Missoula's favorite recreational river and there's no better place on a hot summer day. In June water levels start to drop, making the Blackfoot a perfect scenic float.

River Statistics

• Length
  132 miles long from Anaconda Creek near Rodgers Pass to its junction with the Clark Fork near Milltown.
  
  
• Whitewater
  Class I and II except at peak flows. The best whitewater lies between Russell Gates and Johnsrud Park.
  
  
• Flow
  Annual mean flow: 1,573 cfs near Bonner. Floatable all year below the North Fork of the Blackfoot.
  
  
• Where the Crowd Goes
  From Roundup to the weigh station. The closer to Missoula, the higher the number of people.
  
  
• Avoiding the Scene
  Few float between Lincoln and River Junction. In summer, go early in the morning before the river warms enough to attract inner-tubers and swimmers.

Boaters

Where To Start
Blackfoot floats can start as high in the drainage as a few miles east of Lincoln, where the Landers Fork meets the main river. Between Lincoln and Russell Gates FAS, the main Blackfoot offers outstanding scenery as it meanders through undeveloped river bottoms, occasional farmland, and secluded canyons. It's an excellent area to see bald eagles, as several pairs nest along the river. Keep your distance. Look for white-tailed deer, elk, sandhill cranes, and waterfowl as well.

Between River Junction and Russell Gates...
gushes a 5-mile section of river known as Box Canyon. One of the most memorable scenes in Norman Maclean's excellent book, A River Runs Through It, takes place here (the movie was filmed on the Gallatin River). Steep cliffs rise from both sides of the river and thick timber blankets surrounding hillsides. Cliff swallows construct mud nests on the cliff walls, as do hawks and eagles. While the river has several rocky ledges and drop-downs, the canyon has only one moderately difficult rapid. It's at the lower end of the canyon, about a half-mile above Scotty Brown Bridge, and it will swamp the inexperienced or the unprepared.

The Rapids
Some of the river's toughest rapids lie three miles downstream of Russell Gates FAS near the Bear Creek bridge pilings. Between here and the Clearwater Bridge watch for a couple of drops with big rocks and high waves. Most drops are followed by big pools, allowing time for recovery if problems occur. In high water, only strong intermediate canoeists or better should try this section. Spray skirts or air bags may be necessary to avoid getting swamped by big waves.

Russell Gates and Roundup
Between Russell Gates and Roundup, it's all Class I and Class II water at normal flows, but the drops bump up to Class III during runoff. Immediately upstream from the Highway 200 bridge at Roundup lies a big rock garden that lasts for several hundred yards. Easy access makes it a popular kayak spot.

More Whitewater
Whitewater continues for several miles below Roundup, with plenty of big rocks. At high flows, the rapids can be fairly continuous, allowing little time for recovery if there's an upset. But you can catch your breath in the six-mile stretch of quiet water between Ninemile Prairie and Whitaker Bridge. Right after Whitaker, look for the Blackfoot's best-known piece of whitewater, Thibodeau Rapids. Look for big rocks and a drop; the safest route is on the right. Watch for several other frisky rapids in the next few miles below Whitaker and Johnsrud Park. Most of the river between Roundup and Johnsrud is Class I or II except during high water when the larger drops become Class III. At high flows, even the 10-mile section between Johnsrud Park and the weigh station at Bonner can be exciting. It's mostly Class II or less, but high waves can develop and the current is very fast.

Helpful Blackfoot River Links

River Flows
Blackfoot River Flows click here

River Map
Blackfoot River Map please click here

River Regulations
Montana FWP Blackfoot River Recreation Information click here

Interactive City Map of Missoula, Montana
Missoula Discovery Map please click here

Interactive City Map of Spokane, Washington
Spokane CVB Interactive City Map please click here