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Montana | Bitterroot Valley / Ravalli and Missoula counties

Bitterroot RiverHannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) to Wally Crawford Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)

FWP Section 4: Hannon Memorial to Wally Crawford, a nine-mile upper Bitterroot section with a distinct seasonal outfitter calendar.

Access and safety sources last checked October 20, 2026.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 9 river miles (FWP Section 4)
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 9 river miles (FWP Section 4)Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) to Wally Crawford 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

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WeekendChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

FWP Section 4: Hannon Memorial to Wally Crawford, a nine-mile upper Bitterroot section with a distinct seasonal outfitter calendar.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor)
Open mapDirections to put-in

Hannon’s day-use area has the concrete boat launch, separate from its camping area; Wally Crawford has a concrete ramp. FWP prohibits float outfitting on this section on Mondays from June 1 through September 15. This is not a ban on all recreational floating; public recreational users do not need the restricted-river commercial permit. Check separate access, fishing-license and current closure requirements.

Finish

Take-out

Wally Crawford Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to take-out

Do not substitute private shoreline or a closed FAS for a legal take-out.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Hannon’s day-use area has the concrete boat launch, separate from its camping area; Wally Crawford has a concrete ramp. FWP prohibits float outfitting on this section on Mondays from June 1 through September 15. This is not a ban on all recreational floating; public recreational users do not need the restricted-river commercial permit. Check separate access, fishing-license and current closure requirements.
  • 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

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Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly 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 distance9 miles — FWP Section 4

    FWP lists Section 4, Hannon Memorial to Wally Crawford, as nine miles. This is the manager’s section length, not a measured line through the current braided channel.

    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

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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)Bell Crossing Fishing Access Site (access anchor) to Poker Joe Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)Bitterroot Valley / Ravalli and Missoula countiesModerate · About 12 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)

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Selway RiverParadise to Selway Falls · about 30 straight-line mi awayHard · About 47.8 river miles across a multi-day expeditionSalmon RiverNorth Fork to Corn Creek · about 40 straight-line mi awayHard · 46 river miles, multi-day staged sectionCrooked ForkHighway 12 Bridge to White Sands Campground · about 48 straight-line mi awayHard · About 7.2 river milesMain Salmon RiverCorn Creek to Vinegar Creek/Carey Creek · about 49 straight-line mi awayHard · About 79 river miles, multi-day

Quick answers

Bitterroot River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) to Wally Crawford 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 Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) to Wally Crawford Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) route on the Bitterroot River start and end?

This route starts at Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) and ends at Wally Crawford Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge), about 9 river miles (FWP Section 4) on the water.

Is the Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site (access-site anchor) to Wally Crawford 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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