Madison River river run
Madison River
The Madison River run features several rapids and obstacles, including the Warm Springs Rapid, the Barking Dog Rapid, and the Kitchen Sink Rapid. The Warm Springs Rapid is a Class II rapid that can be challenging for inexperienced paddlers. The Barking Dog Rapid is a Class III rapid that features a large boulder in the center of the river, which can create a significant obstacle. The Kitchen Sink Rapid is a Class II+ rapid that can be particularly challenging at higher streamflow levels.
Specific regulations to the Madison River run include a limit on the number of commercial outfitters allowed to operate on the river. Additionally, there are restrictions on the use of motorized boats and certain types of fishing gear to protect the river's ecosystem. It's important for paddlers to be familiar with all regulations and guidelines before embarking on a trip down the Madison River. Overall, the Madison River run is a thrilling and exciting adventure for experienced paddlers looking for a challenge in the beautiful Montana wilderness.
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 At Kirby Ranch Nr Cameron Mt | 719 cfs | → |
| Madison River Bl Hebgen Lake Nr Grayling Mt | 383 cfs | → |
| Madison River Near Cameron Mt | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Red Rock Cr Ab Lakes Nr Lakeview Mt | 57 cfs | → |
| Ruby River Ab Reservoir Nr Alder Mt | 227 cfs | → |
| Ruby River Bl Reservoir Nr Alder Mt | 421 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
- Palisades Day Use
- Windy Point Boat Launch
- Ruby Creek Boat Launch
- Mcatee Bridge Madison County
- Madison County
- Storey Ditch Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Wall Creek Cabin
- Ruby Creek Campground
- West Fork Madison
- West Fork Madison Campground
- Madison River
- Madison Campground
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 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.