State guide · Montana
Montana overnight rafting trips
Six rivers, from Smith River fishing floats to Glacier's Flathead forks, with every outfitter side by side.
2 to 9 days / 1 to 8 nightsQuick answer
Montana overnight rafting trips run on six rivers we compare: the Smith River, which rations private trips by lottery; the Middle Fork, North Fork and South Fork of the Flathead; the Upper Missouri River Breaks by canoe; and the Yellowstone through Yankee Jim Canyon. Trips run 2 days, 1 night to a week, from $415 per person.
Trips by river
Montana rivers with overnight trips
Each card links to its outfitter table below.
Montana · Smith River State Park
Smith River
From $2,999per person with Glacier Guides: Year not shown; fishing license and tip extra. Checked Oct 2026. Confirm when booking.
2 to 5 days / 1 to 4 nights
Montana · Great Bear Wilderness and Glacier NP
Middle Fork Flathead
From $475per person with Glacier Guides: Adult rate, year not shown; plus an 8% river user fee. Checked Oct 2026. Confirm when booking.
Montana · Glacier NP west boundary
North Fork Flathead
From $648per person with Wild River Adventures: 2 day adult rate, year not shown. Checked Oct 2026. Confirm when booking.
7 to 9 days / 6 to 8 nights
Montana · Bob Marshall Wilderness
South Fork Flathead
From $7,000per person with Spotted Bear Ranch: From its page, year not shown; all inclusive. Checked Oct 2026. Confirm when booking.
2 to 7 days / 1 to 6 nights
Montana · Upper Missouri River Breaks NM (BLM)
Upper Missouri River Breaks
From $650per person with Missouri River Outfitters: 2 day trip from Coal Banks, 2027 schedule; 4% card fee. Checked Oct 2026. Confirm when booking.
2 days / 1 night
Montana · Paradise Valley
Yellowstone River, Yankee Jim Canyon
From $415per person with Flying Pig Adventures: Adult rate, year not shown; riverside wall tent or teepee camp. Checked Oct 2026. Confirm when booking.
Each card shows the lowest listed price we found on that river for a guided overnight trip, from the outfitter's own site, with the trip and conditions behind it. Prices checked September and October 2026. Confirm when booking.
Side by side
The Montana rivers side by side
| River | Trip length | Whitewater | Season | Private permit | Outfitters | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith River | 5 days, 4 nights | Class II spots near river miles 47 and 49, per Montana FWP | Mid April to mid July | Lottery for private permits; 2026 applications January 1 to February 15 | 5 | $2,999 |
| Middle Fork Flathead | 2 to 5 days, 1 to 4 nights | Class II to III along the park; III to IV in the wilderness, per outfitters and American Whitewater | Late May to September | No float permit required, per the Flathead National Forest | 4 | $475 |
| North Fork Flathead | 2 to 3 days, 1 to 2 nights | Class I to II, per outfitters | Late May to September | No float permit required, per the Flathead National Forest | 2 | $648 |
| South Fork Flathead | 7 to 9 days, 6 to 8 nights | Whitewater class and miles not confirmed by an agency | Late June to mid August | Check with the Flathead National Forest | 3 | $7,000 |
| Upper Missouri River Breaks | 2 to 7 days, 1 to 6 nights | Flat water; no class given by the BLM | May to September | Registration encouraged; no lottery | 2 | $650 |
| Yellowstone River, Yankee Jim Canyon | 2 days, 1 night | Class II to III, per the outfitter | Summer | Permit rules not confirmed | 1 | $415 |
The no lottery way in
The Smith River: skip the drawing
Montana FWP issues private Smith River permits by drawing. For 2026, applications ran January 1 to February 15, with the draw on February 18. Group size is capped at 15 for private and outfitted parties alike.
Seven outfitters are authorized on the Smith, and they hold their own launch dates. Book one and you float without entering the drawing. Most outfitted trips are built around fishing.
Sources: Montana FWP Smith River and Smith River drawing.
Every outfitter
Every outfitter we found on Montana's overnight rivers
Cheapest first on each river, from each outfitter's own site, checked October 2026.
Smith River
Camp Baker to Eden Bridge, 59 miles, with 27 boat camps, per Montana FWP. Class II spots near river miles 47 and 49, per Montana FWP. Montana FWP says floaters average about 4 days. Seven outfitters are authorized; most trips are built around fishing. Source: Montana FWP Smith River page.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per person | Check dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier Guides / Montana Raft | 5 days, 4 nights | Drift boats with gear rafts | Launches May 26, 2026 and June 2, 2027 | Not listed | $2,999Year not shown; fishing license and tip extra. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Glacier Guides |
| Blackfoot River Outfitters | 5 days, 4 nights | Not stated | Two launches a year | Not listed | $6,125Year not shown; includes a night at the Edith Hotel; license and tip extra. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Blackfoot River Outfitters |
| Montana Angler | 5 days, 5 nights with the night before launch | Not stated | May to early July | Not listed | $6,1502027 rate; license, tip and the last night's lodging extra. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Montana Angler |
| Healing Waters Lodge | 5 days; nights not stated | Not stated | Early May to early July | Not listed | Price not shown. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Healing Waters Lodge |
| Pro Outfitters | Not stated on its page | Not stated | Not stated | Not listed | Price not shown on its own page. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Pro Outfitters |
Middle Fork Flathead
Lower trips run along Glacier National Park; the wilderness run from Schafer Meadows is 27.5 miles, per American Whitewater. Class II to III along the park; III to IV in the wilderness, per outfitters and American Whitewater. The Park Service lists four raft companies with Forest Service permits here. Glacier Raft Co also flies guests into the Great Bear Wilderness for a 5 day trip. Source: NPS Glacier rafting page.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per person | Check dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier Guides / Montana Raft | 2 days, 1 night | Rafts | June 6 to August 5, 2026 | 5 to 8, by month (page gives both) | $475Adult rate, year not shown; plus an 8% river user fee. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Glacier Guides |
| Wild River Adventures | 2 days, 1 night to 3 days, 2 nights | Expedition rafts | Not stated | 6 at normal summer flows (50 pounds) | $5982 day adult rate, year not shown. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Wild River Adventures |
| Glacier Raft Co | 2 days, 1 night to 5 days, 4 nights | Paddle or oar rafts | May 25 to September 30, 2026 | About 6 to 10, by month | $5992 day trip, year not shown; plus an 8% service fee; 5 day Great Bear Wilderness trip with a flight in from $3,348. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Glacier Raft Co |
| Glacier Anglers & Outfitters | 2 days, 1 night to 5 days, 4 nights | Rafts | June 1 to September 30, 2026 | 50 pound minimum | $2,8002 day fishing trip for 1 or 2 people, year not shown; plus an 8% fee. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Glacier Anglers & Outfitters |
North Fork Flathead
23 to 35 miles along Glacier's west boundary, per Glacier Raft Co. Class I to II, per outfitters. Gentle water along the park boundary; outfitters set ages by month. Source: Flathead National Forest water activities.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per person | Check dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild River Adventures | 2 days, 1 night to 3 days, 2 nights | Rafts | Not stated | Varies (50 pounds) | $6482 day adult rate, year not shown. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Wild River Adventures |
| Glacier Raft Co | 2 days, 1 night to 3 days, 2 nights | Not stated | May 27 to September 30, 2026 | About 6 to 10, by month | $6492 day trip, year not shown; plus an 8% service fee. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Glacier Raft Co |
South Fork Flathead
Pack in by horse, then float the wilderness river. Whitewater class and miles not confirmed by an agency. Horseback and float trips into the Bob Marshall, mostly for anglers. Source: Flathead Wild and Scenic River page.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per person | Check dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted Bear Ranch | 6 or 8 nights; 2 days riding in, 3 days floating | Not stated | Late June to mid August | Not listed | $7,000From its page, year not shown; all inclusive. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Spotted Bear Ranch |
| Montana Angler | 7 days; nights not stated | Rafts | June 21 to August 7, 2027 | Not listed | $10,500Per angler, 2027; 2 days on horseback, then rafts; its listing page says from $9,100. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Montana Angler |
| Montana Wilderness Lodge | 7 days with a 4 day float | Not stated | July | Not listed | Price not shown. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Montana Wilderness Lodge |
Upper Missouri River Breaks
Fort Benton to James Kipp, 149 miles, per the BLM. Flat water; no class given by the BLM. Guided trips here are by canoe. The BLM calls May to September the best boating season. Source: BLM Upper Missouri Wild and Scenic River.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per person | Check dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri River Outfitters | 2 days, 1 night to 7 days, 6 nights | 2 and 3 seat canoes | June to September (2027 schedule) | No minimum; kids must swim | $6502 day trip from Coal Banks, 2027 schedule; 4% card fee. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Missouri River Outfitters |
| Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures | 3 days, 2 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Tandem canoes; voyageur canoe option | July to August (2027) | Not listed | $9953 day White Cliffs trip, 2027 estimate; youth 12 and under $845. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures |
Yellowstone River, Yankee Jim Canyon
18 miles through Yankee Jim Canyon, per Flying Pig Adventures. Class II to III, per the outfitter. A short overnight near Gardiner with a riverside tent camp.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per person | Check dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Pig Adventures | 2 days, 1 night | Rafts | Not stated | Not listed | $415Adult rate, year not shown; riverside wall tent or teepee camp. Checked Oct 2026 | See dates with Flying Pig Adventures |
How to choose
How to choose a Montana river
Fishing or rafting?
The Smith and the South Fork Flathead are mostly fishing trips. The Middle Fork and North Fork Flathead and the Yellowstone are raft trips, and the Upper Missouri is a canoe trip.
Fishing float tripsHow much whitewater?
The Middle Fork Flathead runs Class II to III along Glacier and III to IV in the wilderness. The North Fork is Class I to II, and the Smith has a few Class II spots, per Montana FWP.
Whitewater classes explainedBudget?
Overnights near Glacier and on the Yellowstone start at $415 to $649. Smith River trips start at $2,999, and South Fork Flathead pack and float trips at about $7,000.
Rafting trip costQuestions
Montana overnight rafting questions
Where can I go on an overnight rafting trip in Montana?
On the rivers we compare: the Smith River, the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead along Glacier National Park, the South Fork Flathead in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the Upper Missouri River Breaks and the Yellowstone through Yankee Jim Canyon.
How do I get on a Smith River trip?
Win the lottery or book an outfitter. Montana FWP runs a permit drawing for private trips (2026 applications January 1 to February 15). Seven outfitters are authorized, and they hold their own launch dates.
How long is a Smith River float?
Montana FWP says floaters average about 4 days on the 59 miles from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge. The outfitter trips we found are 5 days.
What is the cheapest overnight rafting trip in Montana?
Yellowstone and Middle Fork Flathead overnights list the lowest prices we found: $415 with Flying Pig Adventures and $475 with Glacier Guides (years not shown). Smith River trips start at $2,999. Checked October 2026.
Can I raft near Glacier National Park overnight?
Yes. Glacier Raft Co, Glacier Guides and Wild River Adventures run 2 and 3 day trips on the Middle Fork Flathead, and Glacier Raft Co and Wild River Adventures on the North Fork. The Flathead National Forest says no float permit is required.
Are Montana river trips good for fishing?
Many are built for it. Most Smith River and South Fork Flathead trips are fishing trips, and Glacier Anglers runs Middle Fork fishing floats. You need a Montana fishing license. See fishing float trips.
Can kids go?
On some. Glacier Guides takes kids from 5 to 8 by month on the Middle Fork, and Missouri River Outfitters sets no minimum on its canoe trips, as long as kids can swim. Most Smith River fishing trips do not list a minimum age.
When is the Montana float season?
Mid April to mid July on the Smith, late May to September on the Flathead forks and May to September on the Upper Missouri, per the agencies and outfitters. See when to go rafting.
Free download
Get the Overnight River Trip Planner
A packing list for river and camp, plus the lottery dates for the season in one calendar.
Keep planning
Related trips and guides
- Fishing float tripsTrips for anglers
- Idaho overnight rafting tripsThe Salmon rivers
- River permit lotteriesEvery lottery window
- 2 day rafting tripsOne night on the river
- Week long rafting tripsSix days or more
- Family rafting tripsRivers that take kids
- River campingNights at camp
- Trip finderFilter by state and month
- All outfittersEvery company, A to Z
- Plan a rafting tripEvery planning guide
Ready to book
Find your Montana river
Pick a river, compare its outfitters, then check dates directly with the one you choose.