Our guide Kendra was the coolest person I have ever rafted with. Throughout most of the year dry fly fishing is great on the Flathead River. The whole crew was fun and experienced. We’ve had other companies do that before. The river here is wide and frequently quite deep and … OUR BOATS: Esquif Mirimichi and Esquif Prospecteur. Sometimes it’s hard to load up in the evening and head home after a great days float. The Bob has been on my radar for years, because inside The Bob is one of the greatest multi-day float trips in America: the South Fork of the Flathead River. Dinner after was incredible! Several people did not know about the BBQ and wish they had signed up for it. She was so sweet with our girls. This is a must do. Aboard this 2-3 hour trip an experienced guide will share interpretive information and history of the area while escorting you down one of the most pristine watersheds in the world. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. If a pleasure cruise on calm waters is your cup of tea then this is the trip for you. BWOs – #16-20 (pale olive body grey wing) Dry Fly – Para Adams, Para Haze, Sparkle, Dun, Marabou Cripple From there, it’s about a 15 minute bus ride back to where you started. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are OK with that. Sun Hat or Ball Cap These are just a few, we have guide books and float maps that will allow to plan your own unique get away you won’t forget. So when you book make sure to include the BBQ at that time of booking as it can not be added the day of your adventure. Add more excitement to your trip in a smaller sport raft or inflatable kayak or wrap up your whitewater adventure with a great dinner cooked by your guide on the river’s bank. We took the scenic float trip down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River with an excellent and personable guide, Travis. Price Adult: $67.00 Private tours are available, too. Enjoy a Scenic Float in Glacier National Park! We stayed at the Glacier Guides Lodge (wonderful) and reserved an outing for a “Scenic Raft Float.” This was our 1st time doing this anywhere. Jim Klug photo. Some paddling is necessary, but these floats are anything but strenuous. Many guides return year after year. Explore Glacier National Park's Wild and Scenic border river, the Middle Fork Flathead, with our highly trained, friendly, interpretive river guides. Half Day Scenic Rafting Trips Our guided rafting trips are a fun and a relaxing way to experience the beauty of Glacier National Park and the Middle Fork of the Flathead River without all the whitewater! We will pack your gear and your float equipment and can also pack you in if you aren’t up for the long hike into the South Fork of the Flathead River. These minimums may be higher if the river levels are higher, as they often are in the early summer. I’ve been rafting a bunch over the years and had an awesome time on the river with Glacier. A note from Glacier National Park Scenic Float - Middle Fork Flathead River Our trips have always been small, and typically offer plenty of room for natural spacing even before socially distancing was a thing! This gin-clear river runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness for nearly its full length, south to north. On some trips, fishing may be available this first evening. Let our professional fishing guides show you one of the most remote, trout-filled rivers in Montana on a fishing specific South Fork Flathead trip. But the big surprise is what a great dinner he cooked us. In July and August, the trip is approximately 2 hours long. The highway follows the river from Bear Creek all the way to West Glacier at the confluence of the North and Middle Forks, however the road is hardly noticed. A spectacular backcountry flight, more wildlife than people, and striking emerald-aqua water beckons from Montana’s Big Sky country. We start the trip with a two-day ride (or hike) through spectacular scenery to access the starting point of the float, then spend five days fly-fishing some of the most pristine water in Montana. –TripAdvisor Review. Guides undergo training in river rescue techniques, first aid, and more. https://glacierguides.com/rafting/whitewater/scenic-float-flathead-river This is a must-do! Click here. Email: info@glacierraftco.com. The length of the trip depends on the flow of this stunning, undammed river. Be sure to call the office to inquire: 406-387-5555 or info@glacierguides.com, Water bottle It’s an ideal 2-4 day float trip without any designated camping sites. Story by Eric Hanson, Photos by Jacob Moon. Safety is explained and important to this company. Our Bob Marshall trips are operated in partnership with long time packer and permit holder Rich McAtee. Midges #16-20 (Black & Green body, white wing) Dry Fly – Griffiths Gnat, Poly wing midge, purple haze Nymph – Brassie, Green machine, shop vac. Your guide will launch the boat there and you’ll be floating down the stunning Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Flathead River! If conditions call for wetsuits and river shoes, or if you would prefer to wear splash gear, it is always available at no extra cost. Toll Free: 1-800-235-6781 Great job Glacier Guides and Montana Raft. They also offer a BBQ meal after which is well worth the extra money. Price Child: $57.00 (12 and younger) Float past gorgeous mountain scenery along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River on an afternoon trip from West Glacier. Specials – Glacier National Park Adventures, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window). These waters are all home to native Westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. Click here. Safety is always the #1 priority. We had the salmon (a huge piece, grilled perfectly), accompanied by salads and sides, and cheesecake for dessert. Here the Flathead River flows through the upper Flathead Valley, home to such popular towns as Whitefish , Columbia Falls, and Kalispell, MT. Packrafting opened up a world of adventure for me. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Glacier Guides and Montana Raft Reservation and Cancellation Policies. If you want adventure try white water rafting. Arrive at 30 minutes prior to launch to meet your guide and get fitted for lifejackets and any other necessary equipment. In September, the trip is approximately 2.5 hours long. I've rafted with Glacier Raft multiple times. Next, your guide selects a secluded spot for a delicious, buffet style lunch. We needed a nice peaceful day on the river and Ryan our guide did not disappoint. Other than those words of caution, the North Fork Flathead River is a wonderful river to float. Sunscreen Ford – 14 miles down makes this a good day trip option. We had a great time on the Scenic Float!!! Day two of the wilderness expedition is generally a somewhat shorter ride ending with afternoon wade fishing on the South Fork of the Flathead. If you want a more relaxed scenicadventure try the scenic float down. Views from river right are of Glacier National Park. It was so nice. Our guide Zach was informative, professional, and friendly. He did all the hard work by being the one to steer the raft while we enjoyed the scenery. They’re also a great option for families with small children or individuals looking for a trip that doesn’t require much physical effort. At the above flows it was class 2+ with Lower Kintla flowing at class 3. The guides are personable and welcoming. They’re also a great option for families with small children or individuals looking for a trip that doesn’t require much physical effort. Eyeglass retention strap. If you are truly seeking adventure, come try out the new sport of river boarding. Times: Cam was knowledgeable about the river, trees, and wildlife. Flathead River Fly Fishing Patterns. Wildlife abounds on this stretch; you may see eagles, osprey, and maybe even an elusive bear or moose! Half day and full day Flathead river rafting trips depart from our rafting office conveniently located in the Village of West Glacier just outside the West Entrance to Glacier National Park. After your trip there is a short bus ride back to our office, your car, dry clothes, and a chance to purchase trip photos and souvenirs! Click on directions for how to find us. Working with researchers from the University of Montana, crews set up 13 monitoring cameras at various segments of the Flathead River during the 2017 and 2018 float season to document existing uses. My family took an afternoon trip down the Middle Fork with Russell. Highly recommend getting dinner with your trip! You could tell he really enjoyed what he was doing and took it seriously. North Fork Flathead River Boat Ramps Canada Border – A fair number of folks put-in here and run the entire 60 miles down to Blankenship Bridge at the confluence with the main-stem. The life jackets are clean & the river shoes are sanitized, clean, not worn out. 3:00 PM offered May 7 through September 20th. Montana Whitewater Rafting: Half Day Trips, Full Day Glacier National Park White Water Rafting, Glacier National Park Horseback Riding, Rafting & Zipline Packages. You won't need wet suits to raft with us. A trip on the Flathead River is a true Montana outdoor experience. One excellent float is between Big Creek and Glacier Rim, a float of about 13 miles. The solution is to stretch it into a multi-day river trip. At launch time, take a short bus ride — approximately 5 minutes — to the river put in. Dry Fly Fishing Paradise. South Fork Flathead River Fly Fishing. The drop float service is a one way … Middle Fork Flathead River rafting trips float several different sections of the river due to easy access from US Hwy 2. From start to finish, the trip could not have been better – well-organized, friendly staff, safe sturdy boat, pleasant fellow-travelers, and a guide who was a wealth of information and funny stories. Our Flathead river rafting scenic tour gives you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the spectacular beauty of Glacier National Park and the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Scenic floats are ideal for those looking for a restful, rejuvenating river experience. I would highly recommend this company. Scenic floats in Glacier National Park - half day, combination, and dinner experiences available! It's a long journey to get there. The trail is long and having a gentle mountain horse to bring you in, might just be the way you want to start your river adventure. The BBQ dinner after was almost the best part!! If you would like to explore this gorgeous Wild and Scenic designated river, but are not interested in a whitewater adventure, then this mellow Glacier National Park Scenic Float Trip is for you! This was the only day we didn’t spend completely on the trails and it was very relaxing and we even saw a bear and bald eagle which were bonuses. The building where Glacier Guides is located was clean, organized, and the entire startup process is professional, friendly, helpful, and well organized. You will float beneath towering white cliffs left by Glacial Lake Missoula, old growth ponderosa pines, and a plethora of soaring birds. What about a Private Scenic Float? 2:15 PM offered Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays September 21st through October 15th. Fleece jacket/sweater (for trips in May and June or a rainy day) First, float a relaxing stretch of river. This rafting experience is appropriate for nearly all ages and abilities. Floating the South Fork of the Flathead River is perhaps one of the finest floats anyone can do in the lower 48. We guide our fly fishing float trips on the Flathead River above Flathead Lake. River sandals or sneakers (wetsuit booties are provided at no additional cost if you don’t have the appropriate footwear.) In 2021, we expect our average rafting group size to be around 8. The scenery is spectacular, as the river flows through a pristine and remote wilderness. Your guide will take the raft out of the water just past the confluence, at Blankenship Bridge. If a pleasure cruise on We wanted the river experience so we were advised to take the Scenic trip. My wife and her best friend had all these questions and Ryan was able to answer them all. A lower flow would make the overall trip easier. Being from the desert, the idea of hauling a raft deep into the wilderness was fairly novel. Chicken, steak, homemade sides and finished with homemade lemon basil ice cream! But when photographer Jacob Moon and his wife Natasha invited me to go packrafting on the … Sunglasses Minimum age of 5 and a minimum weight of 50 pounds for our whitewater trips. In 1976, US Congress designated 219 miles of the Flathead River as “National Wild and Scenic.”. Our float fishing day begins around 9:00 a.m. after a hearty breakfast. Either way this is a great company and do a awesome job. We offer trips suited for all levels of experience: from sea kayaking through the remote islands of the Flathead Lake, peaceful river floats in the lower canyon, to braving the Wild Buffalo Rapids of the upper canyon. Just love all the history of Flathead River and he was amazing at spotting all the wildlife. He was patient and answered the zillion questions our 5 year old had for him. We did the scenic float w/dinner. The Flathead River offers more than 275 miles of river rafting ranging from peaceful Class I float trips to Class III+ whitewater adventures on the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Soak up Serenity with our Scenic Flathead River Rafting Trip! I was glad that the company continued the tour and didn’t cancel it due to it just being us 4. Relax and rejuvenate on this calm, peaceful stretch of river with our friendly, interpretive river guides. Thanks to simple logistics and only one other commercial outfitter, the Middle Fork Flathead is our most affordable trip on a pristine wilderness river. Russell as a guide was very knowledgeable about the area and kept us in the boat. We specialize in Wild and Scenic Pack Trips in the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana. 10:45 AM offered June 1st through September 6th. Access is easy, with numerous designated access sites, and countless unofficial access sites. Sarah was an excellent guide! Float the south fork of the flathead In addition to guided fly fishing, we offer drop float trips on the South Fork of the Flathead River. We begin the floating portion of our trip on day three. Packrafting the Flathead River in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness. Scenic River Floats Whereas the upper canyon of the Flathead River is filled with exciting whitewater, the lower stretch is calm and soothing. Enjoy the thrilling whitewater, hike to a mountain lake, fish for native trout, and relax around camp for five glorious days … We did the scenic float since our youngest was 5. Many things I read prior to the trip said it was grade 2. Calm, peaceful water means this is a great trip for families, and you’ll learn about Glacier National Park history, culture, plants, and animals as you float. The focal point of these unique fisheries are the South Fork of the Flathead River and its tributaries. Full Day Raft Trip Waterproof camera Ages 3 and up for our scenic trips. We have a 3 yr old and 5 yr old. In June, the trip is approximately 1.5 hours long. I’d highly recommend this trip. This remote river drains much of the "Bob" and is home to the largest genetically pure native trout population in … Check-in at Glacier Raft Company in the Village of West Glacier ½ hour prior to trip departure. Some paddling is necessary, but these floats are anything but strenuous. If this sounds like your perfect day, then this Flathead river rafting trip is for you! Glacier Anglers offers day trips, overnight float trips on the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River, and multi-day backcountry trips into the Great Bear Wilderness to fish the acclaimed upper Middle Fork of the Flathead River. This trip happens daily between the dates of 05/07/2021 and 10/15/2021. Each time has been great. Minimum ages for children will depend on the flow of the river, but generally speaking, there is a rafting trip for every age and ability between 3 and 103! He was professional and funny with tons of knowledge about the area. Scenic trips are perfect for families with young children, seniors, and groups who want to see one of the most gorgeous parts of Glacier Park. We spoke with a traveler who had taken the several day hiking trip with this company and had several positive comments, so we would not hesitate to book a hike with them on our next visit. It was definitely worth the price – don’t miss it! Aug 7, 2018 by Contributor. Trip Reports. It is essentially the same river today as it was 100 years ago. Are you looking for our famous Scenic Float With Dinner? This river forms Glacier National Park’s southwestern border. In addition to guided fishing trips, we offer drop & float trips on the South Fork of the Flathead River. Flathead Raft Company provides rafting on the lower Flathead River outside Polson, Montana, and is one of the most exciting and breathtakingly beautiful trips you will ever experience. If this sounds like your perfect day, then this Flathead river rafting trip is for you! We use cookies in order to give you the best experience on our website. We pack you, your gear and your float equipment to the confluence of Young’s and Danaher Creeks where the South Fork of the Flathead River begins. We had a great trip down the river with Ryan as our guide. Beat meal we had in our trip! Thanks also to Jay (I hope I got his name right) for a fun day on the river and a great dinner to complete our day. This Glacier National Park rafting trip will take you down the scenic section of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, from West Glacier to Blankenship Bridge. Trip Duration: Approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on time of the season. Soak in gorgeous views of Glacier National Park from its stunning Wild and Scenic border river, the Middle Fork Flathead. A highlight is passing through where the Middle and North Forks of the Flathead River come together to form the southern tip of Glacier National Park. Recently I had LP as my guide. We had a great time and will return when the river is calmer and we can do the whitewater rafting. Experience the Flathead River. If you have an epi-pen or other medication, your guide can stow it safely for you in a dry bag. We have the clearest and warmest river water in Montana. We were the only ones on the boat. Almost all ages can join a scenic float. 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