Boating
Pick your watercraft - canoe or kayak, raft or drift boat, sailboat or ski boat. From rivers to reservoirs, self-propelled to internal combustion, raging whitewater to serene, sun-dappled pools, we can pretty much do it all here. The only limit is your ability, ambition, and the distance you're willing to drive.
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Drift Boating the Kitchen Sink
Tubing the Gallatin
My vision for a bold and fresh new way to explore the rivers of Yellowstone Country was born on a redeye flight back to the Treasure State from the Garden Island of Kauai. Read more >>
Paddling and peddling are a great combination—not only can you and your friends drive to and from the river in a single vehicle, but you’ll get some exercise to counterbalance all that beer-drinking on the water. Read more >>
In homage to the days of Lewis & Clark, the 48th annual Yellowstone Boat Float will launch the morning of July 8 from Livingston and continue downstream—covering 95 miles of historic river bottom—to Laurel by July 10. Read more >>
Nothing screams Montana like a fun-filled day on the river, be it fishing, floating, or whitewater. An important logistical concern, of course, is the shuttle. While some hardcores prefer to hitchhike, bike, or even (gasp) run back to the put-in, we like the idea of a nice cozy car ride. Read more >>
Do you yearn for a break from the hum-drum, are you aching for adventure? Then come to the river. There�s nothing wrong with acknowledging your need for the danger of rapids, or the constant pull of the current. Read more >>
Kayak
The boat slices through the last standing wave and carves smoothly into the placid eddy on my right. The thrill of the upstream rapids courses through my veins while I slowly spin in the calm water. Read more >>
You’ve run shuttle and you’re sliding into your boat at the put-in. The water level is about what you expected and you can see the entry to the first rapid, remembering that you need to start left and then cut right after the big hole. Read more >>
Now that winter has come to a close, it’s time to start thinking about hitting the rivers again—and all signs are pointing towards a fantastic paddling season. Read more >>Canoe
Looking for a quiet fall float and some great scenery? Try the Jefferson River, starting from the Cardwell Fishing Access Site (FAS), 60 miles west of Bozeman just off of I-90 at exit 256. Read more >>
For a good all-around solo boat that’s friendly to beginners yet still satisfies the seasoned river rat, try the Mad River Outrage (blue). Read more >>
From our vantage point a quarter-mile upstream, Doug and I could see the whitecaps: a long lane of foaming whitewater separated from the main surge by a thin strip of land. Read more >>Raft
The boat slices through the last standing wave and carves smoothly into the placid eddy on my right. The thrill of the upstream rapids courses through my veins while I slowly spin in the calm water. Read more >>
A float trip down the Yellowstone River had been tumbling through my mind for eight or ten years. Finally, in 2009 when I had just about given up on the possibility, the perfect group came together. Read more >>In homage to the days of Lewis & Clark, the 48th annual Yellowstone Boat Float will launch the morning of July 8 from Livingston and continue downstream—covering 95 miles of historic river bottom—to Laurel by July 10. Read more >>Drift
When Saturday dawns warm and bright and outdoor ambitions rise within you like spring snowmelt, it’s time for a Montana multisport: two or more outdoor activities spliced into a single day of fun and adventure. Read more >>
The Madison River has roughly 76 miles of commonly floated river, with a variety of floating options and experiences, offering something for everyone. Read more >>
Spring recreation in and around Bozeman almost always includes some form of water sport. For those of us with a canine counterpart, this can be intimidating, especially when watercraft is involved. Making sure your dog is comfortable aboard your boat is vital to the success of your day. Read more >>Sail
Blasting across the frozen wasteland of Canyon Ferry Lake, the skinny fiberglass frame of the ice boat rattles like an unbalanced washing machine. Hardened-steel runners spit ice chips at me, the tiny bullets bouncing off the face shield of my helmet. Read more >>
Sure, you could drive north to Martinsdale or Canyon Ferry Lake, east to Harrison Reservoir, or south to Ennis or Hebgen Lakes and probably find wind. A wind phone service will even tell you how hard it’s blowing at some of those places. Read more >>
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Streamflows
Here are the current streamflows for all of Montana's rivers.
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