Rock Creek river run
Rock Creek
Rock Creek has a variety of rapids and obstacles that make it an exciting and challenging run for experienced kayakers and rafters. Some of the most notable rapids include Triple Bridges, Fang, and the Narrows. The river also has several large boulders and fallen trees that create additional obstacles and hazards.
To ensure the safety of all river users, there are specific regulations in place for the Rock Creek area. Floaters are required to have a Montana fishing license, and boaters must wear personal flotation devices at all times. Additionally, commercial outfitters must obtain a permit from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to operate on the river.
Overall, Rock Creek is a popular and challenging whitewater river run in Montana, with an ideal streamflow range of 400-2000 cfs, a Class III to IV rating, and a variety of rapids and obstacles. It is important to follow specific regulations to ensure the safety of all river users.
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 Rock Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Rock Cr Nr Philipsburg Mt | 262 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek Near Southern Cross Mt | 31 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek At Maxville Mt | 41 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek At Maxville Mt | 82 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Nr Victor Mt | 2,960 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Clinton Mt | 1,120 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.
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 Rock Creek 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 Rock Creek
What's the optimal flow for Rock Creek?
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 Rock Creek.