Yellowstone River river run
Yellowstone River
The Whitewater River Run on the Yellowstone River in Montana is a popular destination for recreational paddlers and rafters. The ideal streamflow range for this river is between 3,000 and 12,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), which typically occurs from early June to late July. The river is rated as a Class II-III, which means it has moderate rapids and obstacles that require some maneuvering.
The Whitewater River Run segment of the Yellowstone River is approximately 13 miles long, starting at Gardiner and ending at Carbella. The river features several rapids and obstacles, including House Rock, Devil's Slide, and Yankee Jim Canyon. These rapids range from Class II to Class III in difficulty and provide a thrilling experience for intermediate paddlers and rafters.
There are specific regulations in place for the Whitewater River Run section of the Yellowstone River. All boaters are required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while on the river. Additionally, motorized boats are not allowed on this section of the river, and all boats must be inspected for invasive species prior to launch.
In conclusion, the Whitewater River Run on the Yellowstone River in Montana is an exciting destination for paddlers and rafters, with an ideal streamflow range of 3,000 to 12,000 cfs, a Class II-III rating, and several rapids and obstacles to navigate. It is important to follow the specific regulations in place to ensure the safety of all boaters and to protect the river from invasive species.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Yellowstone River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pryor Creek Nr Huntley Mt | 21 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River At Billings Mt | 7,610 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River Ab Tullock Cr Nr Bighorn Mt | 2,040 cfs | → |
| Little Bighorn River Near Hardin Mt | 219 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Musselshell Mt | 90 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River Near Roundup Mt | 167 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Fishing spots
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Yellowstone River as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Yellowstone River
What's the optimal flow for Yellowstone River?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Yellowstone River.