Paddle TodayFind the best paddle near you today

Live score, water level, and weather.

See all 36 routes on Blackfoot River

Montana | Missoula County / Blackfoot River corridor

Blackfoot RiverWhitaker Bridge Fishing Access Site to Johnsrud Park Fishing Access Site

A classic lower Blackfoot day float from the public Whitaker Bridge access to Johnsrud Park near the Clark Fork confluence.

Route location

Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.

Open access map

Plan this route

DistanceAbout 6 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow 2–4 hours with current
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
Pulling the latest gauge and weather. This usually takes a few seconds.
View Primary Source
Embed this route

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 6 river milesWhitaker Bridge Fishing Access Site to Johnsrud Park Fishing Access Site
DifficultymoderateThe Whitaker-to-Johnsrud corridor is a popular moving-water float, but current, strainers, bridge features and cold water require a properly fitted PFD and competent boat control.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at Johnsrud Park, then drive to Whitaker Bridge.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm current Montana FWP access, conservation-license and special recreation rules before unloading.
CampingOptions nearbyThis is a day-use reach. River camping is prohibited except at designated FWP float-in campsites that require a permit or reservation; do not camp at Whitaker or Johnsrud or on private banks.
SeasonMay-SepSnowmelt, thunderstorms and cold water shape the season. Recheck telemetry, trend, forecast and FWP notices immediately before departure.

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

A short, popular public-access float with a straightforward shuttle and no overnight camping included.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Whitaker Bridge Fishing Access Site (public access-area anchor)
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use only named public FWP access sites and established paths.

Finish

Take-out

Johnsrud Park Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to take-out

Whitaker and Johnsrud are day-use sites; check gates, parking and carry conditions.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only named public FWP access sites and established paths.
  • Whitaker and Johnsrud are day-use sites; check gates, parking and carry conditions.
  • Respect private shoreline and leave no trace.

Watch for

  • USGS flow, trend and fast rises
  • Strainers, bridge features and cold water
  • FWP camping, permit and closure 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

Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.

Browser plans

Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.

Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

------------

Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

Loading today's forecast.

Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
----Loading--

Route gallery

Photos

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

The Blackfoot River flows through the Missoula, Montana valley.
Blackfoot 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
U.S. government work / public domain

Score & sources

Why this score

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.

Data status
Checking live inputs.

Pulling the latest gauge and weather. Usually under 10 seconds.

Gauge inputChecking

Waiting on the gauge read.

Weather inputChecking

Waiting on weather.

Next stepChecking

Waiting on enough data to give the next step.

Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteBlackfoot River near Bonner, MT
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range1,500 cfs to 6,000 cfs
Low threshold1,050 cfs
High threshold9,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreRiverbeta Blackfoot River Whitaker to Johnsrud reach guide
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
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.

  • Access and corridorWhitaker Bridge FAS to Johnsrud Park FAS; about 6 river miles

    Montana FWP publishes the access sequence and map; both endpoints are public water-entry sites documented by FWP/Visit Montana.

    Source

  • Scoring band1,050 cfs low; 1,500–6,000 cfs prime; 9,000 cfs high community triggers

    Riverbeta lists these flow triggers for the Whitaker-to-Johnsrud run at USGS 12340000. Verify live telemetry and local conditions; these are community indicators, not safety limits.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 12340000 Blackfoot River near Bonner

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

    Source

  • Camping policyNo river camping except designated permit float-in sites

    FWP’s Blackfoot recreation page and float map identify the designated-site exception; this route is published as day use.

    Source

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

See recent photos and notes from people on the route.

Share your trip

Help build the route page

Add photos or send a quick condition report.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

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

All 50 routes
Montana route guideBrowse every tracked Montana route.Missoula County / Blackfoot River corridorJump to routes in this region.

More on Blackfoot River

All 36
Angevine Fishing Access Site to Marco Flats Fishing Access SiteMissoula County / Blackfoot River corridorEasy · About 3.6 river milesAngevine Fishing Access Site to Weigh Station Fishing Access SiteMissoula County / Blackfoot River corridorEasy · About 5.2 river milesJohnsrud Park Fishing Access Site to Angevine Fishing Access SiteMissoula County / Blackfoot River corridorEasy · About 5.6 river milesJohnsrud Park Fishing Access Site to K. Ross Toole Fishing Access SiteMissoula County / Blackfoot River corridorModerate · About 3.7 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Clark Fork RiverMilltown State Park to Sha-Ron Fishing Access · about 15 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 5 river milesClark Fork RiverMilltown State Park to Jacobs Island Park · about 15 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 10 river milesClark Fork RiverMilltown State Park to Silver Park Boat Landing · about 15 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 14 river milesClark Fork RiverSha-Ron Fishing Access to Jacobs Island Park · about 16 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 5 river miles

Quick answers

Blackfoot River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Whitaker Bridge Fishing Access Site to Johnsrud Park Fishing Access Site route on the Blackfoot River?

Paddle Today watches Blackfoot River near Bonner, MT and treats 1,500 cfs to 6,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Whitaker Bridge Fishing Access Site to Johnsrud Park Fishing Access Site route on the Blackfoot River start and end?

This route starts at Whitaker Bridge Fishing Access Site (public access-area anchor) and ends at Johnsrud Park Fishing Access Site (water-entry edge), about 6 river miles on the water.

Is the Whitaker Bridge Fishing Access Site to Johnsrud Park Fishing Access Site route on the Blackfoot River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

Flag a change

See something outdated?

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

Report a changeEmail update