Madison River river run
Madison River
The river has a segment mileage of approximately 70 miles, and the most popular section for whitewater rafting is the 10-mile stretch between Lyon Bridge and McAtee Bridge. This section includes rapids such as House Rock, Kitchen Sink, and the famous Bear Trap.
The Bear Trap rapid is a class III+ rapid that requires precise maneuvering to avoid a large boulder in the middle of the river. The river also has other obstacles such as strainers and sweepers that should be avoided to ensure safety.
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has specific regulations for the Madison River. All boats must have a valid Montana Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass, and all anglers must have a valid Montana fishing license. Additionally, there are specific regulations for the use of motorized boats and the catch-and-release of certain fish species.
Overall, the Madison River provides a thrilling whitewater experience with beautiful scenery in the state of Montana. It is important to follow all regulations and safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
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 Madison River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Madison River Bl Ennis Lake Nr Mcallister Mt | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Madison River Ab Powerplant Nr Mcallister Mt | 230 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek Near Harrison Mt | 6 cfs | → |
| Gallatin River Near Gallatin Gateway Mt | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Madison River Near Cameron Mt | 851 cfs | → |
| Jefferson River Near Three Forks Mt | 1,670 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.
Boat launches
- Montana Highway 84 Madison County
- Warm Springs Day Use
- Power House Boat Launch
- Fall Creek Day Use
- Canaday Boat Launch
- Mt 84 Gallatin County
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 Madison 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 Madison River
What's the optimal flow for Madison 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 Madison River.