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See all 8 routes on Bitterroot River

Montana | Bitterroot Valley / Ravalli and Missoula counties

Bitterroot RiverBell Crossing Fishing Access Site (access anchor) to Poker Joe Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)

Research Bell Crossing to Poker Joe only after confirming that the walk-in finish is open and its carry is practical for your boat.

Access and safety sources last checked October 20, 2026.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 12 river miles (unverified planning estimate)
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeEstimate duration locally after confirming distance
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Bitterroot River flows through the Bitterroot Valley in Montana.
River contextBitterroot River in the Bitterroot Valley; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by John David Stutts via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 12 river miles (unverified planning estimate)Bell Crossing Fishing Access Site (access anchor) to Poker Joe Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)
DifficultymoderateThe Bitterroot is generally moving Class I water with cold-water consequences, braided channels, strainers and occasional stronger current. Upper sections have special floating-day restrictions and limited exits; scout every bend and bridge.
ShuttleCar shuttleArrange a one-way car shuttle only after confirming both endpoint permissions and opening status. Stage the downstream landing first, then drive to the upstream launch. Check gates, parking, carries and the actual water entry.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm Montana FWP access rules, conservation license requirements and Bitterroot floating restrictions before unloading.
CampingDay tripNo overnight river camping is assumed. Use an established campground or lodging near Hamilton, Stevensville or Lolo; only designated FWP camping areas may be used for on-route overnights.
SeasonMay-SepLate spring through summer is the primary floating season. Snowmelt, rain, irrigation operations, wildfire smoke and FWP seasonal restrictions can change conditions quickly.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Research Bell Crossing to Poker Joe only after confirming that the walk-in finish is open and its carry is practical for your boat.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

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Start

Put-in

Bell Crossing Fishing Access Site (access anchor)
Open mapDirections to put-in

Unverified catalog planning estimate. FWP documents the access sites, but the linked site records do not publish this endpoint-pair distance or establish continuous passage.

Finish

Take-out

Poker Joe Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to take-out

Poker Joe is walk-in only, with a quarter-mile carry to the river. FWP’s page carries a July 7 parking/latrine construction closure notice without a year or reopening date. Confirm reopening with FWP before using it as a landing; do not infer current availability from the generic season field or use a closed site.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Unverified catalog planning estimate. FWP documents the access sites, but the linked site records do not publish this endpoint-pair distance or establish continuous passage.
  • Poker Joe is walk-in only, with a quarter-mile carry to the river. FWP’s page carries a July 7 parking/latrine construction closure notice without a year or reopening date. Confirm reopening with FWP before using it as a landing; do not infer current availability from the generic season field or use a closed site.
  • Do not substitute private shoreline or a closed FAS for a legal take-out.
  • Recheck current access, restrictions, weather, wood and flow trend before staging.

Watch for

  • USGS 12350250 trend and snowmelt/rain rise
  • Strainers, braided channels, bridge features and cold water
  • FWP floating-day restrictions, closures and conservation-license rules

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Checking trend.

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Bitterroot River flows through the Bitterroot Valley in Montana.
Bitterroot River in the Bitterroot Valley; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by John David Stutts via Wikimedia Commons
CC BY 1.0

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Route and distance12 miles — unverified estimate

    Unverified catalog planning estimate. FWP documents the access sites, but the linked site records do not publish this endpoint-pair distance or establish continuous passage.

    Source

  • Launch coordinate provenanceMapped launch and landing

    Coordinates match Montana FWP Region 2 records for the named facilities; they are not necessarily surveyed water-entry toes. These facility points do not establish a continuous navigable trip. Verify the carry, current gate, parking and landing conditions before departure.

    Source

  • Conditions posturePlanning only

    USGS 12350250 measures the Bitterroot at Bell Crossing near Victor. It is context for this access plan, with no calibrated recreational flow cutoff or same-day score. A reading there does not establish access, depth or passage throughout the valley.

    Source

  • Access and safety review2026-10-20

    Guide and current manager pages checked. Verify notices again before travel; a past review is not a statement of current paddling suitability.

  • Campingnearby_basecamp

    No overnight river camping is assumed. Use an established campground or lodging near Hamilton, Stevensville or Lolo; only designated FWP camping areas may be used for on-route overnights.

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

Paddler reports

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Photos

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Montana

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Montana route guideBrowse every tracked Montana route.Bitterroot Valley / Ravalli and Missoula countiesJump to routes in this region.

More on Bitterroot River

All 8
Anglers' Roost Fishing Access (water-entry edge) to Tucker Crossing Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)Bitterroot Valley / Ravalli and Missoula countiesModerate · About 14 river miles (unverified planning estimate)Bell Crossing Fishing Access Site (access anchor) to Chief Looking Glass FAS access-area anchorBitterroot Valley / Ravalli and Missoula countiesModerate · About 21 river miles (unverified planning estimate)Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) to Chief Looking Glass FAS access-area anchorBitterroot Valley / Ravalli and Missoula countiesModerate · About 72 river miles (unverified planning estimate)Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) to Wally Crawford Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)Bitterroot Valley / Ravalli and Missoula countiesModerate · About 9 river miles (FWP Section 4)

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Crooked ForkHighway 12 Bridge to White Sands Campground · about 25 straight-line mi awayHard · About 7.2 river milesClark Fork RiverJacobs Island Park to Silver Park Boat Landing · about 30 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 3.5 river milesClark Fork RiverSha-Ron Fishing Access to Jacobs Island Park · about 32 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 5 river milesClark Fork RiverSha-Ron Fishing Access to Silver Park Boat Landing · about 32 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 8.5 river miles

Quick answers

Bitterroot River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Bell Crossing Fishing Access Site (access anchor) to Poker Joe Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) route on the Bitterroot River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Bell Crossing Fishing Access Site (access anchor) to Poker Joe Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) route on the Bitterroot River start and end?

This route starts at Bell Crossing Fishing Access Site (access anchor) and ends at Poker Joe Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge), about 12 river miles (unverified planning estimate) on the water.

Is the Bell Crossing Fishing Access Site (access anchor) to Poker Joe Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) route on the Bitterroot River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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