Best Kayaking in Montana

Trying to find the best kayaking in Montana? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

Idaho, Fremont County

01 :41 hrs
4.2 mi
24.875488 ft
II

This section of the Henrys Fork starts at Island Park Dam near Box Canyon Campground. The waterway offers continuous class II rapids as it flows through the canyon within the plateau. The river is also great for fishing, and there are excellent views of the surrounding villages and mountains. The take-out is located near Last Chance and Highway 20.

2

Montana, Meagher County

24 :26 hrs
59.7 mi
286.23877 ft
II

Smith River is a pristine river that offers an excellent river trip. Best to plan on minimum of 3 days and 2 nights. It flows through a colorful canyon with plenty of wildlife, spectacular scenery and good fishing. The river requires a float permit by calling Montana Fish, and Wildlife. You must also declare your boat campsites before leaving. The permits are a first-come, first-served system. The highlight of the trip is a deep limestone canyon with towering rock formations and thick forests. Best float times are May through June before the water gets too low from irrigation. Flows can pick back up in September for a Fall trip where you might find some solitude. Be prepared for cold and rainy weather which is common even in the warm months.

3

Montana, Madison County

03 :25 hrs
8.2 mi
15.976929 ft
I

This is a lazy float on the Jefferson River. You won't see any rapids but the fishing is great with spinners. Put in at Kountz Bridge Boat Launch. Take out is at Cardwell Boat Ramp.

4

Idaho, Island Park

02 :36 hrs
6.3 mi
18.763184 ft
III

The put-in is located at Macks Inn Bridge and Highway 20 at Island Park. The trip leads into a secluded, scenic area with an increase in water flow. You'll pass by Upper Coffee Pot Campground and then run through a series of pool-drop rapids called "Coffee Pot". Be on the look out for log hazards and wildlife. The take-out is at McCrea Bridge on Kilgore-Yale Road near the campground. There are also great views of the Centennial Mountains to the northwest and the surrounding Yellowstone Plateau.

5

Idaho, Valley County

07 :16 hrs
18 mi
114.245544 ft
IV

This outing starts near Soldier Bar - US Forest Service Airport at the confluence with Middle Fork Salmon River from Big Creek. The trip heads north through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and ends at Salmon River Road. Good camping is available along the way and a Middle Fork of the Salmon permit is also required. There are areas with large boulders and class IV rapids below Coxey Bar. Also, there may be areas where you will be jumping from eddy to eddy, trying to find the right lane to get through the maze of boulders. The best whitewater is found in the Big Creek Gorge, which is near the confluence with Middle Fork Salmon River.

6

Idaho, Lemhi County

11 :45 hrs
29.1 mi
191.4737 ft
IV

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River offers one of the most popular river trips in America, and applications are required to be filled from December 1st through January 31st. This is a dedicated trip that will take up to 8 days to accomplish over 100 miles of a beautiful, scenic waterway. This section of the trip starts at Bernard Bridge and heads north through the Selway - Bitterroot Wilderness and the Frank Church River of No Return with deep canyons and forested mountains. The whitewater sections can be challenging but not too threatening, especially during high water flow. There are also over 100 riverside campsites to choose from, sandy beaches to dig you toes into, and hot springs to soak in. A forest service permit is required with a group of up to 24 people, for up to 8 days. There are also great vistas of the surrounding Salmon River Mountains, Bighorn Crags, and Bitterroot Range. The trip finally ends at the Salmon River confluence and Salmon River Road.

7

Idaho, Valley County

12 :32 hrs
32.3 mi
365.31458 ft
III

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River offers one of the most popular river trips in America, and applications are required to be filled from December 1st through January 31st. This is a dedicated trip that will take up to 8 days to accomplish over 100 miles of a beautiful, scenic waterway. This section of the trip starts at Marsh Creek and heads north through the Selway - Bitterroot Wilderness with deep canyons and forested mountains. The whitewater sections can be challenging but not too threatening, especially during high water flow. There are also over 100 riverside campsites to choose from, sandy beaches to dig you toes into, and hot springs to soak in. A forest service permit is required with a group of up to 24 people, for up to 8 days.

8

Idaho, Valley County

11 :35 hrs
31.1 mi
493.187 ft
IV

This outing starts off Big Creek Road in Valley County near the end of the first section of water from the airfield. Good camping is available along the way and a Middle Fork of the Salmon permit may be required. The trip leads into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and Salmon River Mountains. Expect quite a few areas with log jams, so portaging will probably be required. There are areas with large boulders and class IV rapids below Coxey Bar. Also, there may be areas where you will be jumping from eddy to eddy, trying to find the right lane to get through the maze of boulders. The best whitewater is found in the Big Creek Gorge, which is near the confluence with Middle Fork Salmon River.

9

Idaho, Custer County

07 :01 hrs
18.8 mi
292.05225 ft
III

This outing starts at Highway 21 near Roadside Park and Camp Creek Campground. This water stretch has enough mileage for a whole afternoon trip. After passing by Lola Campground and Marsh Creek Transfer Camp, the waterway leads into the amazing Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. You are bound to enjoy the beautiful scenery as the route winds through the Salmon River Mountains and the Sawtooth Range. Users must be aware that the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has installed a fish trap in Marsh Creek about 1.5 miles downstream from Highway 21. Please use caution as there is an anchor cable across the creek about 10 feet above the water. Also, expect a lot whitewater, large boulders, rocks, and possible strainers. If an area looks to be too wild and dangerous, portaging is always a good option. The route ends at an intersection with Dagger Creek near Dagger Campsite. A wilderness permit can be obtained from a Forest Service Facility or a registration box.

10

Idaho, Custer County

04 :29 hrs
12.9 mi
298.34216 ft
IV

This outing starts near Float Creek off Josephus Lake Road and Forest Road 285. The trip takes on very challenging rapids and difficult maneuvering is expected. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in Idaho is usually more difficult compared to other states, so do use caution and know that the rivers here are less forgiving. Expect a lot of great vistas of the surrounding canyons and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. This section of water is long enough for an overnight trip, and there are The route ends at the confluence with Middle Fork Salmon River. A wilderness permit can be obtained from a Forest Service Facility or a registration box.

See more adventures..

Explore complete list