From Montana's snowy peaks
and the Yellowstone plateau, pristine waters
converge and flow through spectacular canyons
and valleys. Experience the thrill of whitewater
on a raft trip down the Middle Fork of the
Flathead, near Glacier Park or run the Alberton
Gorge, outside of Missoula. Looking for
solitude? Paddle the tranquil beauty of
the wild and scenic Upper Missouri, near
Fort Benton. You can explore Montana's rivers
in many ways, guides offer a variety of
trips on driftboats, rafts, kayaks and canoes.
Montana's rivers have a special kind of historical significance, as the waterways played a key role in the Treasure State's early development. In early times the rivers carried only Indians and intrepid explorers. Later, they brought miners, cowboys, sodbusters, soldiers, and shopkeepers. Indian bullboats and French pirogues were gradually replaced by flatboats and even steamships. It was only with the coming of the railroads in the late 1800s that Montana's rivers faded in importance.
One reason the rivers were so important is that they are easily navigated. Despite the cold waters and rapid flow, most Montana rivers can be floated by people with only moderate river skills. Those who have seen Montana's towering mountains often find this hard to believe, as did Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He noted in his journal of 1805:
I can scarcely form an idea of a river running to great extent through such a rough mountainous country without having it's stream intersepted by some difficult and dangerous rappids or falls, we daily pass a great number of small rappids or riffles which descend one to or 3 feet in 150 yards but we are rarely incommoded with fixed or standing rocks and altho' strong rapid water are nevertheless quite practicable & by no means dangerous.
