River Trips
Columbia Falls is the gateway to the Flathead Rivers.
The three forks of the Flathead River are part of the Nation’s Wild and Scenic River System. If you are looking for Fly Fishing, Whitewater or a Scenic Float with over 225 miles of river to choose from there is something for everyone.
The South Fork of the Flathead River starts deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and flows north until meeting the 45 mile long Hungry Horse Reservoir. After the Hungry Horse Dam there is a short section of river before the confluence with the Middle Fork. The section above and below the Hungry Horse Reservoir can be accessed from the South Fork road. The wilderness section must be accessed by hiking or horseback. The fishing above the reservoir is well known as a great cutthroat fishery.
The North Fork of the Flathead River flows out of Canada and makes up the western border of Glacier National Park. It has very little white water but offers great fishing and spectacular mountain views into the Glacier National Park. It offers about 60 miles of floating to the confluence of the Middle Fork.
The Middle Fork of the Flathead River starts in the Bob Marshall Wilderness then flows through The Great Bear Wilderness before meeting with Highway 2. There is about 30 miles of floatable river in the wilderness then another 55 miles to the confluence of the South Fork. The upper wilderness section offers one of the nations premier wilderness float trips with outstanding mountain views, narrow canyons, class IV whitewater, and incredible fishing. This section of river must be accessed by small plane, horseback, or hiking. After leaving the wilderness it parallels Highway 2 and is the southern border of Glacier National Park. It offers great fishing and several whitewater sections, with the most popular being the 8 miles above West Glacier.
The Main Flathead River begins at the confluence of the Middle Fork and the South Fork and flows through Columbia Falls. It slowly meanders its way through the Flathead Valley for another 45 miles before flowing into Flathead Lake. It offers good fishing and many other recreational opportunities such as water skiing, jet skiing and duck hunting.
For information on the Flathead Rivers contact the Hungry Horse Ranger Station at (406) 387 3800 or Glacier Anglers Fly Shop in West Glacier (406) 888 5454 or www.glacier-anglers.com.
For information on Raft Trips or Fishing Trips call:
Glacier Raft Company (800) 235 6781 www.glacierraftco.com
Great Northern Whitewater (406) 387 5340 www.gnwhitewater.com
Montana Raft Company (406) 387 5656 www.glacierguides.com
Wild River Adventures (406) 387 9453 www.riverwild.com
