River Alerts, Gear, Trip Planning Tips, Outfitters, & Resources
Caution river levels have dropped and cold water conditions remain. Immersion in cold water causes hypothermia in a relatively short period of time.
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Caution river levels have dropped and cold water conditions remain. Immersion in cold water causes hypothermia in a relatively short period of time. 〰️
TRIP PLANNING TOOLS
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Current River Conditions & Levels (USGS & NW River Forecast Center)
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Flathead National Forest Alerts & Notices
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Flathead River Patrol Reports start mid to late June and early July.
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Glacier National Park trail, road, fire, and other condition and closure reports.
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Montana Department of Transportation Alerts, Closures, & Incidents
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This is your one stop for all restrictions, closures, and reopenings of FWP managed lands and waterbodies that may be affected by floods, fire, drought or major maintenance activities.
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Interactive map displays the dates of most recent trail clearing for Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex trails. Trail condition reports are provided by the USFS and are updated bi-weekly June to October.
ESSENTIAL GEAR & KNOWLEDGE
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PFD/Life Jacket
Proper Clothing (Weather, Location, & Activity) *Dry Suit, Splash Top, Wet Suit, etc
Warm Layers (Avoid Cotton)
Proper footwear
Drybag
Helmet (Activity Dependent)
Gloves
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River Partner
Food
Drinking Water
Water Treatment/Filtration System
Headlamp
First Aid Kit
Throw Bag
Whistle
Phone/Communication Device (cell service limited)
Bear Spray
IGBC Approved Food Storage Device
Fire Starter, Fire Pan, Fire Blanket, Cook Stove
Sun Protection
Groover, Rocket Box, Wag Bags, etc (proper human and pet waste disposal)
Repair Kit
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Three Forks of the Flathead Wild & Scenic River Float Guide ($14)- Purchase at:
Hungry Horse Ranger Station: 10 Hungry Horse Dr, Hungry Horse, MT 59919
Flathead National Forest- Supervisor’s Office: 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901
Local sporting/outdoor goods stores
Flathead National Forest River Corridor Regulations & Brochures
Flathead National Forest Alerts & Notices
NCDE Special Food Storage OrderGlacier National Park River Regulations
Montana Fishing Regulations (Western District)
Map/GPS
Motor Vehicle Use Maps: Spotted Bear Ranger District, Glacier View Ranger District, Hungry Horse Ranger District (FREE)- Available at:
Hungry Horse Ranger Station: 10 Hungry Horse Dr, Hungry Horse, MT 59919
Flathead National Forest- Supervisor’s Office: 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901
A Plan (Make sure to share with someone not on trip too)
Know Your Skill Level
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An overnight backcountry camping permit.
Boaters must have their non-motorized watercraft inspected for AIS by an NPS inspector prior to river camping on the Glacier side, even if they are launching from the Flathead National Forest.
Personal flotation device (PFD). Must be carried on board the vessel. All children 12 and under must wear a PFD when the vessel is underway.
Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) approved bear resistant food container.
A self-contained human waste disposal system. (groover, rocket box, WAG bags, etc.)
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All attractants (food, beverages, garbage, pet food) need to be stored in a manner that bears cannot access them.
There are several ways river users can meet this regulation:
1. Store all attractants inside a hard sided vehicle when not using them or when more than 100 feet away from camp,
2. Hang all attractants between two trees at least 10 feet high and 4 feet away from the trunk of the tree,
3. Store all attractants in an approved bear resistant container; most coolers and traditional dry boxes are not approved bear resistant containers, OR
4. Keep a person in camp. At least one adult person must be physically present within 100 feet of the attractants who is awake and alert and in immediate control of attractants. All attractants must be stored as mentioned in 1-3 above at night, unless they are being immediately used.
River users must have all attractants stored within IGBC bear-resistant containers on their boats, removed from the boat and stored properly on shore, or have a person attending attractants during daylight hours.
Solid human waste containment systems are required on the Middle Fork and North Fork; they are recommended on the South Fork, see regulation tables.
Minimize campfires by using a camp stove whenever possible.
Fire pans or fire blankets are required or recommended.
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PFD/Life Jacket Rental Locations:
Loaner Life Jacket Station Locations (Memorial Day-Labor Day):
IGBC Approved Bear Resistant Food Storage Devices Retail Locations:
Can be purchased at most rafting companies, fly shops, and outdoor retail shops in the Flathead Valley.
Rental Location:
Loaner Location:
Flathead Rivers Alliance has a limited number of IGBC approved YETI Tundra 65 Coolers for loan. *More information coming
Self-contained human waste disposal system. (groover, rocket box, WAG bags, etc.)
River Toilet System Rental Locations:
Glacier Guides & Montana Raft Co.
*Don’t forget to contain pet waste and dispose of properly. Pack it out.
Fire Pan and Grill Rental Locations:
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Glacier National Park Bear Safety
EMERGENCY & REPORTING
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There is limited emergency communication services in the river corridors and limited to no cell phone coverage. Flathead County Sheriff’s office is responsible for river rescue. For emergencies or to report lost/overdue persons DIAL 911.
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North Valley Rescue is the primary response agency for the northeastern half of Flathead County, is based out of Columbia Falls, and was founded in 1972. Its response area includes the North, Middle, and South fork drainages of the Flathead River.
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If you have possible information regarding natural resources crimes such as poaching, vandalism, littering, cultural resource theft, or other resource crimes.
Call 1-800-TIP-MONT
Contact your local warden Warden District Map
North Fork of the Flathead River- Chris Crane ccrane@mt.gov (406) 249-6231
Middle & South Forks of the Flathead River- Ben Chappelow BChappelow@mt.gov (406) 250-2097
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If you see an unoccupied boat (any watercraft) call 911 as soon as possible. Provide them with these details:
+Where you saw it
+What time you saw it
+What you saw in it
+Did it look like it flipped or floated away from a “lunch stop”
Permitted Outfitter & Guide Services: Full-service floats, drop floats, take outs or a combination
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Glacier Guides & Montana Raft Company
Great Northern Whitewater Raft
Snowy Springs Outfitters (upper Middle Fork only)
Wilderness River Outfitters (upper Middle Fork only)
*We try our best to keep list updated.
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Glacier Guides & Montana Raft Company
*We try our best to keep list updated.
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Backcountry Flying Experience (406) 270-0910
Glacier Jet Center (406) 755-5362
Minuteman Aviation (406) 728-9363
Mission Mountain Flying Service (406) 240-0395
Piedmont Air Service (406) 442-8108
Red Dog Flying Service (907) 205-7383
Red Eagle Aviation (406) 755-2376
*We try our best to keep list updated.
AREA TRAINING RESOURCES
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Great Northern Whitewater Raft- River Training & Safety Courses
Flathead Valley Community College- Outdoor Recreation Courses
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