✅ Late season conditions exist! Current is slow and river channels are shallow. Enjoy the water!
Trip Planning Tools
CURRENT RIVER CONDITIONS & LEVELS
Current River Conditions & Levels (USGS & NW River Forecast Center)
CURRENT SNOWPACK CONDITIONS
FLATHEAD NATIONAL FOREST ALERTS & NOTICES
Flathead National Forest Alerts & Notices
FLATHEAD RIVER PATROL REPORTS
Flathead River Patrol Reports start mid to late June and early July.
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK CURRENT CONDITIONS
Glacier National Park trail, road, fire, and other condition and closure reports.
MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ALERTS, CLOSURES, & INCIDENTS
Montana Department of Transportation Alerts, Closures, & Incidents
MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS RESTRICTIONS & CLOSURES
This is your one stop for all restrictions, closures, and reopenings of FWP managed lands and waterbodies that may be affected by floods, fire, drought or major maintenance activities.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EXTENDED WEATHER FORECAST
RIVER UPDATES VIA SOCIAL MEDIA
Visit Flathead Rivers Alliance’s Facebook and Instagram for photos and videos of current river conditions from Flathead Rivers Alliance staff and river users.
BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS COMPLEX TRAIL CONDITIONS
Interactive map displays the dates of most recent trail clearing for Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex trails. Trail condition reports are provided by the USFS and are updated bi-weekly June to October.
Downloadable River Access Descriptions
MIDDLE FORK RIVER ACCESS DESCRIPTIONS
Bear Creek River Access – R.M. 53.4
Essex River Access – R.M. 48.7
Paola River Access – R.M. 41.6
Cascadilla River Access – R.M. 30.6
Moccasin Creek River Access – R.M. 23.0
West Glacier River Access – R.M. 14.9
Blankenship River Access (East) – R.M. 9.5
NORTH FORK RIVER ACCESS DESCRIPTIONS
Canadian Border River Access – R.M. 58
Schnaus Cabin River Access – R.M. 39.3
Polebridge River Access (Upstream) – R.M. 33.9
Polebridge River Access (Downstream) – R.M. 33.8
Coal Creek River Access – R.M. 24.5
Big Creek River Access – R.M. 15.3
SOUTH FORK RIVER ACCESS DESCRIPTIONS
Cedar Flats River Access – R.M. 55.5
South Fork River Access – R.M. 46.5
Essential Gear & Knowledge
CLOTHING & GEAR
PFD/Life Jacket
Proper Clothing (Weather, Location, & Activity) *Dry Suit, Splash Top, Wet Suit, etc
Warm Layers (Avoid Cotton)
Proper footwear
Drybag
Helmet (Activity Dependent)
Gloves
Bear Spray
Satellite Communication Device *Expect limited to no cell service coverage on the Three Forks of the Flathead River
ESSENTIALS
River Partner
Food
Drinking Water
Water Treatment/Filtration System
Headlamp
First Aid Kit
Throw Bag
Whistle
Phone/Communication Device (cell service limited)
Bear Spray
IGBC Approved Food Storage Device
Fire Starter, Fire Pan, Fire Blanket, Cook Stove
Sun Protection
Groover, Rocket Box, Wag Bags, etc (proper human and pet waste disposal)
Repair Kit
KNOWLEDGE (GUIDES, MAPS, CAMPING, REGULATIONS, & MORE)
Three Forks of the Flathead Wild & Scenic River Float Guide –
Purchase Online at: www.flatheadrivers.org/fra-shop
Purchase In-Person at:
- Hungry Horse Ranger Station: 10 Hungry Horse Dr, Hungry Horse, MT 59919
- Flathead National Forest- Supervisor’s Office: 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901
- Local sporting/outdoor goods stores
- Flathead Rivers Alliance Events
Flathead National Forest River Corridor Regulations & Brochures
- Middle Fork of the Flathead River Regulations
- North Fork of the Flathead River Regulations
- South Fork of the Flathead River Regulations
Flathead National Forest Alerts & Notices
NCDE Special Food Storage Order
Glacier National Park River Regulations
Montana Fishing Regulations (Western District)
Map/GPS
Motor Vehicle Use Maps: Spotted Bear Ranger District, Glacier View Ranger District, Hungry Horse Ranger District (FREE)- Available at:
- Hungry Horse Ranger Station: 10 Hungry Horse Dr, Hungry Horse, MT 59919
- Flathead National Forest- Supervisor’s Office: 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901
A Plan (Make sure to share with someone not on trip too)
Know Your Skill Level
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK REQUIRED RIVER OVERNIGHT GEAR
- An overnight backcountry camping permit.
- Boaters must have their non-motorized watercraft inspected for AIS by an NPS inspector prior to river camping on the Glacier side, even if they are launching from the Flathead National Forest.
- Personal flotation device (PFD). Must be carried on board the vessel. All children 12 and under must wear a PFD when the vessel is underway.
- Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) approved bear resistant food container.
- A self-contained human waste disposal system. (groover, rocket box, WAG bags, etc.)
FLATHEAD NATIONAL FOREST REQUIRED RIVER OVERNIGHT GEAR
- All attractants (food, beverages, garbage, pet food) need to be stored in a manner that bears cannot access them.
There are several ways river users can meet this regulation:
1. Store all attractants inside a hard sided vehicle when not using them or when more than 100 feet away from camp,
2. Hang all attractants between two trees at least 10 feet high and 4 feet away from the trunk of the tree,
3. Store all attractants in an approved bear resistant container; most coolers and traditional dry boxes are not approved bear resistant containers, OR
4. Keep a person in camp. At least one adult person must be physically present within 100 feet of the attractants who is awake and alert and in immediate control of attractants. All attractants must be stored as mentioned in 1-3 above at night, unless they are being immediately used. - River users must have all attractants stored within IGBC bear-resistant containers on their boats, removed from the boat and stored properly on shore, or have a person attending attractants during daylight hours.
- Solid human waste containment systems are required on the Middle Fork and North Fork; they are recommended on the South Fork, see regulation tables.
- Minimize campfires by using a camp stove whenever possible.
- Fire pans or fire blankets are required or recommended.
WHERE TO RENT REQUIRED GEAR
PFD/Life Jacket Rental Locations:
Loaner Life Jacket Station Locations (Memorial Day-Labor Day):
IGBC Approved Bear Resistant Food Storage Devices Retail Locations:
Can be purchased at most rafting companies, fly shops, and outdoor retail shops in the Flathead Valley.
Loaner Location:
Flathead Rivers Alliance has a limited number of IGBC approved YETI Tundra 65 Coolers for loan. *More information coming
Self-contained human waste disposal system. (groover, rocket box, WAG bags, etc.)
River Toilet System Rental Locations:
Glacier Guides & Montana Raft Co.
*Don’t forget to contain pet waste and dispose of properly. Pack it out.
Fire Pan and Grill Rental Locations:
PERMITS & LICENSES
Glacier National Park River Camping Permits
Glacier National Park Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection
Emergency & Reporting
RESCUE & OTHER EMERGENCIES
There is limited emergency communication services in the river corridors and limited to no cell phone coverage. Flathead County Sheriff’s office is responsible for river rescue. For emergencies or to report lost/overdue persons DIAL 911.
NORTH VALLEY SEARCH & RESCUE
North Valley Rescue is the primary response agency for the northeastern half of Flathead County, is based out of Columbia Falls, and was founded in 1972. Its response area includes the North, Middle, and South fork drainages of the Flathead River.
REPORT A VIOLATION
If you have possible information regarding natural resources crimes such as poaching, vandalism, littering, cultural resource theft, or other resource crimes.
Call 1-800-TIP-MONT
Contact your local warden Warden District Map
North Fork of the Flathead River- Tyler Melville tyler.melville@mt.gov (406) 249-6231
Middle & South Forks of the Flathead River- Ben Chappelow BChappelow@mt.gov (406) 250-2097
REPORT UNOCCUPIED BOAT
If you see an unoccupied boat (any watercraft) call 911 as soon as possible. Provide them with these details:
+Where you saw it
+What time you saw it
+What you saw in it
+Did it look like it flipped or floated away from a “lunch stop”
If you had to abandon your boat (any watercraft) please contact Flathead National Forest Supervisor Office (406) 758-5208 as soon as possible. They will contact the appropriate resources for recovery. That way they have details that persons are safe and accounted for and it is not an active emergency.
Permitted Outfitter & Guide Services
Full-service floats, drop floats, take-outs, or a combination.
MIDDLE FORK OF THE FLATHEAD RIVER
Glacier Guides & Montana Raft Company
Great Northern Whitewater Raft
Snowy Springs Outfitters (upper Middle Fork only)
Wilderness River Outfitters (upper Middle Fork only)
*We try our best to keep list updated.
NORTH FORK OF THE FLATHEAD RIVER
Glacier Guides & Montana Raft Company
*We try our best to keep list updated.
SOUTH FORK OF THE FLATHEAD RIVER
Bob Marshall Wilderness Outfitters
*We try our best to keep list updated.
SPOTTED BEAR DISTRICT AIR LIVERY
Backcountry Flying Experience (406) 890-3419
Glacier Jet Center (406) 755-5362
Minuteman Aviation (406) 728-9363
Mission Mountain Flying Service (406) 240-0395
Piedmont Air Service (406) 442-8108
Red Dog Flying Service (907) 205-7383
Red Eagle Aviation (406) 755-2376
*We try our best to keep list updated.
Area Training Resources
SKILLS & RESCUE TRAINING
Great Northern Whitewater Raft- River Training & Safety Courses
Flathead Valley Community College- Outdoor Recreation Courses
Glacier Raft Co & Glacier Anglers- Rowing & Fishing Courses
*Call for course info 1.406.888.5454
Wild River Adventures/Montana River Guides- Swiftwater Technician Training Course
Flathead Raft Company- River Skills Courses