Kayaking in Western Montana + Glacier National Park

Kayaking

Paddling Montana’s Rivers

Paddling Montana’s Rivers

Note: Conservation Licenses are required for everyone age 12 and older to access most state lands, including wildlife management areas, fishing access sites and wildlife habitat protection areas. This requirement does not include state parks. Please recreate responsibly. Learn more here.

Whether you're looking to park and surf, float, or run the river, Western Montana is a prime kayaking destination. And with rivers like the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, Kootenai and Middle Fork of the Flathead, our region provides plenty of paddling options. You can also kayak many of our lakes.

Paddling Destinations

Brennan's Wave

Missoula
Located in downtown Missoula on the Clark Fork River, Brennan's Wave is a popular play place. At most water levels, you can surf, spin or cartwheel.

Alberton Gorge

Alberton
Located 30 minutes west of Missoula on I-90, the Alberton Gorge is a popular destination for both whitewater rafting and kayaking. The gorge provides class II, III and IV rapids (depending on the season). Guide companies offer rafting and kayaking trips as well.

Blackfoot River

Missoula
Located 20 miles east of Missoula on Highway 200, Johnsrud State Park offers an ideal location for beginning kayakers, complete with beautiful scenery.

Middle Fork of the Flathead River

West Glacier
With its glacial blue waters, the Middle Fork provides a picturesque setting for hitting the waters in your kayak. And if you don't want to hit the water solo, guided rafting and kayaking trips are available from several area companies.

Kootenai River

Libby
Located in the northwest corner of Montana, the Kootenai River offers miles of self-guided paddling. While some sections of the river require excellent paddling skills and are best served by a guide, many sections of the river provide calm and uncrowded paddling.

Featured Listings

Adventure Missoula
39 Juniper Lane
Alberton, MT 59820
406.813.0595
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Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge
150 Flathead Lodge Road
Bigfork, MT 59911
406.837.4391
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Base Camp Bigfork
8525 State Highway 209
Bigfork, MT 59911
406.871.9733
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Bitterroot Backpacking

Missoula, MT 59801
732.272.6878
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Glacier Guides and Montana Raft
11970 U.S. Highway 2
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.387.5555 | 800.521.7238
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Glacier Park Rafting
12127 U.S. Highway 2 E., Suite A
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.888.8754 | 800.735.7897
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Glacier Raft Company
106 Going-to-the-Sun Road
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.888.5454
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Go Sail Flathead Lake
43546 C St.
Dayton, MT 59914
406.515.9585
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Great Northern Resort & Whitewater Rafting
12127 U.S. Highway 2 E.
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.387.5340 | 800.735.7897
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Haymoon Resort
1845 Hodgson Road
Whitefish, MT 59937
406.730.8786
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Montana River Guides
138 Big Bend Lane
Alberton, MT 59820
406.722.7238
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Paddle Ridge
12400 U.S. Highway 2 E.
West Glacier, MT 59936
406-888-5454
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Sky Eco - Glacier General Store & Cabins
10630 U.S. Highway 2 E.
Coram, MT 59913
406.414.7538
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Snowy Springs Outfitters Inc.
15600 U.S. Highway 2 E.
Essex, MT 59916
406.226.9225
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The Lodge at Whitefish Lake
1380 Wisconsin Ave.
Whitefish, MT 59937
877.887.4026
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Wolf Trail Montana
148 W. Shore Duck Road
Babb, MT 59411
406-459-5990
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Abayance Bay Marina
290 Abayance Bay Drive
Rexford, MT 59930
406.297.0566
Action Rentals
1027 Martin Creek Road
Olney, MT 59927
406.881.3510
Big Arm Boat Rentals and Rides
44227 A St.
Big Arm, MT 59910
406.260.5090
Bitterroot Valley Shuttle
Missoula Airport 5225 W. Broadway St.
Missoula, MT 59808
406.550.0001
Camp Kapapa
27885 Old U.S. Highway 93
Elmo, MT 59915
406.214.0302
Crazy Moose Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals
511 W. Main St.
Thompson Falls, MT 59873
406.827.3030
FLUX Adventure Designs

Whitefish, MT 59937
4062532356
Glacier Wake
70 Lakeside Blvd.
Whitefish, MT 59937
406.404.6724
Lake Five Resort
540 Belton Stage Road
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.387.5601
Mountainside Lodging and Retreats
3965 Star Meadow Road
Whitefish, MT 59937
406.530.8514
Paddleboard Outfitters
5327 U.S. Highway 93
Somers, MT 59932
406.212.2300
Paddlefish Sports, LLC
70 Lakeside Blvd., City Beach
Whitefish, MT 59937
406.260.7733
Polebridge Mercantile, Bakery and Cabins
265 Polebridge Loop
Polebridge, Montana 59928
406-888-5105
Polebridge Outfitters
265 Polebridge Loop
Polebridge, MT 59928
4068885105
RiverView Ranch Retreat & Western Adventures
28800 Southside Road
Alberton, MT 59820
406.382.9020 | 800.357.4456
Rocky Mountain Glass Kayaks
Belton Stage Road
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.219.8882
Slow Drift Shuttles
Blackfoot River
Missoula, MT 59801
406.285.8638
St. Mary/East Glacier KOA Holiday
106 West Shore Road
St. Mary, MT 59417
406.732.4122
Tamaracks Resort
3481 State Highway 83 N., Mile Marker 17
Seeley Lake, MT 59868
406.677.2433
The Raven Bar & Grill
15321 State Highway 35
Bigfork, MT 59911
406.837.2836
Travel Montana
PO Box 16
Red Lodge, MT 59068
888.758.8687
Zoo Town Surfers
1001 S. Fourth St. W., Suite 5
Missoula, MT 59801
406.546.0370