See all 8 routes on Bitterroot River
Montana | Bitterroot Valley / Ravalli and Missoula counties
Bitterroot RiverHannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) to Chief Looking Glass FAS access-area anchor
An unverified staged valley-wide planning combination; resolve stage distances, permissions and legal exits before treating it as an itinerary.
Access and safety sources last checked October 20, 2026.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
An unverified staged valley-wide planning combination; resolve stage distances, permissions and legal exits before treating it as an itinerary.
Access map
Put-in
Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor)The catalog’s 72-mile estimate is unverified and does not reconcile with the six component labels, which currently total 65 miles after the Hannon–Wally correction. Neither total is a validated full itinerary. Confirm every stage and distance before planning an overnight or shuttle.
Take-out
Chief Looking Glass FAS access-area anchorThe upper Hannon–Wally section has a June 1–September 15 Monday outfitter restriction; do not extend it to all lower sections or treat it as a recreational floating ban. Confirm Anglers’ Roost boat-use permission, Tucker West access and every overnight. Poker Joe’s undated closure notice means it cannot be assumed available as an exit.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- The catalog’s 72-mile estimate is unverified and does not reconcile with the six component labels, which currently total 65 miles after the Hannon–Wally correction. Neither total is a validated full itinerary. Confirm every stage and distance before planning an overnight or shuttle.
- The upper Hannon–Wally section has a June 1–September 15 Monday outfitter restriction; do not extend it to all lower sections or treat it as a recreational floating ban. Confirm Anglers’ Roost boat-use permission, Tucker West access and every overnight. Poker Joe’s undated closure notice means it cannot be assumed available as an exit.
- 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.
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Bitterroot River at Bell Crossing near Victor, MT. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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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.
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 distance72 miles — unverified estimate
The catalog’s 72-mile estimate is unverified and does not reconcile with the six component labels, which currently total 65 miles after the Hannon–Wally correction. Neither total is a validated full itinerary. Confirm every stage and distance before planning an overnight or shuttle.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Montana FWP Fishing Access Sites
- Montana FWP Region 2 access inventory
- Montana FWP Bitterroot floating restrictions and permits
- FWP upper Bitterroot restricted sections map
- FWP Hannon Memorial FAS detail
- FWP Wally Crawford FAS detail
- FWP Anglers’ Roost private access detail
- FWP Tucker Crossing FAS detail
- FWP Bell Crossing FAS detail
- FWP Poker Joe walk-in access and restriction notice
- FWP Chief Looking Glass FAS detail
- Montana FWP Fishing Access Sites
- FWP 2017 access/camping guide (historical context)
- USGS 12350250 station
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Quick answers
Bitterroot River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) to Chief Looking Glass FAS access-area anchor 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 Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) to Chief Looking Glass FAS access-area anchor route on the Bitterroot River start and end?
This route starts at Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) and ends at Chief Looking Glass FAS access-area anchor, about 72 river miles (unverified planning estimate) on the water.
Is the Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) to Chief Looking Glass FAS access-area anchor 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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