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Best paddling in Montana

162 paddle runs · 162 ranked · updated 2026-09-11 · in season

Explore the best paddling in Montana — every spot ranked by our conditions-aware Snoflo score: live conditions first, then visitor reviews and logged trips. Click a pin on the map for the score and what's driving it.

Showing the top 15 of 162 paddle runs · best 15 shown on the map
B⛰
Big Creek to Glacier Rim
#1 Big Creek to Glacier Rim Prime
· 3,020 cfs · in range (1,000-11,000)
The Big Creek to Glacier Rim river run in Montana is a Class II-III river with exciting rapids, calm pools, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The river has several…
Why 80: live conditions (prime)
80Elite
G⛰
Gallatin Forest Boundary, Sec. 26, T3S, R12E To Blakley Creek, Sec. 26, T3S, R12E
#2 Gallatin Forest Boundary, Sec. 26, T3S, R12E To Blakley Creek, Sec. 26, T3S, R12E Good
· 1,750 cfs · in range (1,000-5,000)
The Gallatin River is a popular destination for whitewater enthusiasts, with the Gallatin Forest Boundary to Blakley Creek segment being a particularly challenging run. The ideal…
Why 80: live conditions (good)
80Elite
G⛰
Glacier RIm to Blankenship Bridge and Confluence
#3 Glacier RIm to Blankenship Bridge and Confluence Prime
· 3,020 cfs · in range (1,000-11,000)
The Glacier Rim to Blankenship Bridge and Confluence River run in Montana is a scenic and exciting adventure for experienced rafters. The river has multiple Class III and IV…
Why 80: live conditions (prime)
80Elite
P⛰
Polebridge to Big Creek
#4 Polebridge to Big Creek Prime
· 3,020 cfs · in range (1,000-11,000)
The Polebridge to Big Creek river run in Montana is a 13-mile stretch of the North Fork Flathead River. This run features technical rapids, tight turns, and beautiful scenery. The…
Why 80: live conditions (prime)
80Elite
M⛰
Miller Creek, Sec. 13, T4S, R21E To Bramble Creek, Sec. 26, T5S, R12E
#5 Miller Creek, Sec. 13, T4S, R21E To Bramble Creek, Sec. 26, T5S, R12E Good
· 1,750 cfs · in range (1,000-5,000)
The Whitewater River run from Miller Creek, Sec. 13, T4S, R21E to Bramble Creek, Sec. 26, T5S, R12E in Montana is a popular destination for paddlers. This stretch of river covers…
Why 80: live conditions (good)
80Elite
M⛰
Madison River
#6 Madison River Good
· 1,140 cfs · in range (600-4,000)
The Madison River in Montana is a popular whitewater river run, known for its fast-moving rapids and stunning scenery. The ideal streamflow range for the Madison River is between…
Why 79: live conditions (good)
79Top-rated
M⛰
Madison River
#7 Madison River Good
· 1,140 cfs · in range (600-4,000)
The Madison River in Montana is a popular destination for whitewater rafting enthusiasts. The ideal streamflow range for rafting on this river is between 1,000 and 4,000 cubic…
Why 79: live conditions (good)
79Top-rated
M⛰
Middle Fork Indian Creek Headwaters, Sec. 14, T12N, R26W To Mainstem, Sec. 25, T12N, R26W
#8 Middle Fork Indian Creek Headwaters, Sec. 14, T12N, R26W To Mainstem, Sec. 25, T12N, R26W Good
· 3,610 cfs · in range (1,200-20,000)· Falling -6% / 24h· Thunderstorms in forecast
. The Middle Fork Indian Creek Headwaters to Mainstem run in Montana is a popular whitewater river run. The ideal streamflow range for this section of the river is 800-1500 cfs…
Why 78: live conditions (good)
78Top-rated
C⛰
Cedar Log Creek Headwaters, Sec. 14, T12N, R26W To Mainstem, Sec. 19, T13N, R25W
#9 Cedar Log Creek Headwaters, Sec. 14, T12N, R26W To Mainstem, Sec. 19, T13N, R25W Good
· 3,610 cfs · in range (1,200-20,000)· Falling -6% / 24h· Thunderstorms in forecast
The Whitewater River Run in Montana is a popular destination for whitewater enthusiasts. The Cedar Log Creek Headwaters to Mainstem section is approximately 14 miles long and is…
Why 78: live conditions (good)
78Top-rated
S⛰
Slowery, Sec. 15, T17N, R27W To Sec. 31, T18N. R28W
#10 Slowery, Sec. 15, T17N, R27W To Sec. 31, T18N. R28W Good
· 3,610 cfs · in range (1,200-20,000)· Falling -6% / 24h· Thunderstorms in forecast
The whitewater river run Slowery, located in Montana, stretches from Section 15, T17N, R27W to Section 31, T18N, R28W. The ideal streamflow range for this run is between 800-4000…
Why 78: live conditions (good)
78Top-rated
A⛰
Alberton Gorge (St. John to Forrest Grove)
#11 Alberton Gorge (St. John to Forrest Grove) Good
· 3,610 cfs · in range (1,200-20,000)· Falling -6% / 24h· Cold day · 33°F
Below Missoula the Clark Fork drops into a canyon gorge known as Alberton Gorge named for the town at the head of the run.  I-90 parallels this run but from the river you won't…
Why 77: live conditions (good)
77Top-rated
B⛰
Beartrap Canyon - Madison Dam to Route 84
#12 Beartrap Canyon - Madison Dam to Route 84 Good
· 1,140 cfs · in range (600-4,000)· Windy · 29 mph
The Beartrap Canyon river run on the Madison River in Montana is a challenging and exciting stretch of water. The river features Class III and IV rapids, with several large…
Why 77: live conditions (good)
77Top-rated
1⛰
10 Miles From Tub Gulch To Quartz Creek To 10 Miles From Tub Gulch To Quartz Creek
#13 10 Miles From Tub Gulch To Quartz Creek To 10 Miles From Tub Gulch To Quartz Creek Good
· 6,780 cfs · in range (5,000-30,000)
The Whitewater River Run in Montana is a popular destination for kayakers, rafters, and other adventure seekers. The ideal streamflow range for this river is between 1000 and 3000…
Why 76: live conditions (good)
76Top-rated
9⛰
9 Miles From Quartz Creek To Surprise Gulch,Two Miles Below Kootenai Falls To 9 Miles From Quartz Creek To Surprise Gulch,Two Miles Below Kootenai Falls
#14 9 Miles From Quartz Creek To Surprise Gulch,Two Miles Below Kootenai Falls To 9 Miles From Quartz Creek To Surprise Gulch,Two Miles Below Kootenai Falls Good
· 6,780 cfs · in range (5,000-30,000)
The Whitewater River Run is a thrilling adventure that spans 9 miles from Quartz Creek to Surprise Gulch, two miles below Kootenai Falls in Montana. This section of river features…
Why 76: live conditions (good)
76Top-rated
J⛰
Junction Of The Fisher River (Three Miles Sownstream Of Libby Dam) To Tub Gulch, Approximately Four Miles Upstream From The Town Of Libby, Montana
#15 Junction Of The Fisher River (Three Miles Sownstream Of Libby Dam) To Tub Gulch, Approximately Four Miles Upstream From The Town Of Libby, Montana Good
· 6,780 cfs · in range (5,000-30,000)
The Whitewater River Run on the Fisher River in Montana is a popular destination for whitewater enthusiasts. The ideal streamflow range for this run is between 800 and 1500 cubic…
Why 76: live conditions (good)
76Top-rated

Paddling in Montana

Montana has 297 paddle runs on Snoflo, ranked by live conditions, visitor reviews, and logged trips — so the best, closest options rise to the top.

How we rank the best paddling in Montana

How are these paddle runs ranked?

Each gets a daily Snoflo score blending live conditions, visitor review ratings, and logged trips. The order reflects what's best right now and re-ranks every day.

How often does it update?

Daily, as new conditions, reviews, and trips arrive — so "best right now" means right now.

What do the numbers on the map mean?

Each pin shows that spot's current Snoflo score; tap it for the breakdown and a link to the full report.

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