Montana | Missoula County / Blackfoot River corridor

Blackfoot RiverRoundup Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) to Weigh Station Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)

A 27-mile Blackfoot reach from Roundup through Whitaker and Johnsrud to the Weigh Station take-out.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 27 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow 10–14 hours or stage a lawful overnight at designated FWP float-in campsites.
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Blackfoot River flows through the Missoula, Montana valley.
River contextBlackfoot River near Missoula; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management 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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Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
DifficultymoderateA public-access Blackfoot corridor reach with current, bridge features, strainers and cold water requiring competent boat control and conservative scouting.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm current Montana FWP access, conservation-license and special recreation rules before unloading.
CampingOptions nearbyRiver camping is prohibited in the Recreation Corridor except at designated FWP float-in campsites with a permit or reservation. Confirm campsite availability, fire rules, bear-resistant food storage and portable-toilet requirements before relying on an overnight.
SeasonMay-SepSnowmelt, thunderstorms and cold water shape the season. Recheck telemetry, trend, forecast and FWP notices immediately before departure.

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

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Plan your trip

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

Access and shuttle

A 27-mile Blackfoot reach from Roundup through Whitaker and Johnsrud to the Weigh Station take-out.

Access map

Skip map

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End of map
Start

Put-in

Roundup Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)

Use only the named FWP Fishing Access Sites and established paths; verify seasonal gates and parking.

Finish

Take-out

Weigh Station Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)

Respect private shoreline and current FWP closures, including any bridge-work restrictions below Weigh Station.

Road shuttle

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only the named FWP Fishing Access Sites and established paths; verify seasonal gates and parking.
  • Respect private shoreline and current FWP closures, including any bridge-work restrictions below Weigh Station.
  • Keep the trip within daylight and the group’s rescue capability.

Watch for

  • USGS 12340000 flow and trend as context
  • Cold water, spring wood, strainers and bridge features
  • FWP access, closure, permit and designated-campsite rules

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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Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Recent trend

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Hourly forecast

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Short-route forecast

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Data and sources

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

What to know before you go

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

  • Named access chainRoundup Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) to Weigh Station Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge); 27 miles

    Montana FWP’s Blackfoot access map names both public endpoints; the route follows the documented downstream access sequence.

    Source

  • Gauge contextUSGS 12340000 Blackfoot River near Bonner

    Direct same-river telemetry. Riverbeta’s numerical flow guidance is published for named route reaches; no numeric range is verified for this endpoint pair.

    Source

  • Direct gaugeUSGS 12340000 Blackfoot River near Bonner

    Direct Blackfoot River telemetry; recheck current value and trend immediately before departure.

    Source

  • Camping and accessDay use; designated FWP float-in campsites only for overnight camping

    FWP prohibits camping outside designated float-in sites in the Recreation Corridor; verify current permits and closures.

    Source

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Blackfoot River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Roundup Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) to Weigh Station Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) route on the Blackfoot 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 Roundup Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) to Weigh Station Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) route on the Blackfoot River start and end?

This route starts at Roundup Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) and ends at Weigh Station Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge), about 27 river miles on the water.

Is the Roundup Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) to Weigh Station Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge) route on the Blackfoot 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.

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.