River guideMontana
Blackfoot River
Compare trips by distance, difficulty and current conditions. Open a trip for its map, directions and planning tools.
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Blackfoot River paddle planning
What to verify before you commit.
Water levels
These Blackfoot River routes use Blackfoot River near Bonner, MT as the main gauge reference.
Route options
Compare all 36 trip options here and open any trip’s details. Route-specific flow scores are limited to five source-documented runs; the other choices show the Bonner gauge as context only.
Difficulty
Blackfoot River routes here are marked easy and hard and moderate, so choose the stretch that fits your group and conditions.
Montana FWP and Riverbeta section guide
Choose a Blackfoot run by river character
The river flows west toward Bonner. The route-specific community flow bands apply to the five named runs below; the other 31 trip options remain planning-only options.
Upper canyon: Russell Gates to Roundup
The named 11.1-mile upper-corridor run has continuous Class II water that can sharpen to Class III at spring flows. Roundup Rapid is at the Highway 200 bridge by the take-out; decide before launch whether the trip includes it.
Russell Gates Memorial Fishing Access Site to Roundup Fishing Access SiteAbout 11.1 river miles
Main corridor: Roundup to Johnsrud
The 16.4-mile named reach links Roundup Rapid and Thibodeau Rapid. FWP limits river camping from Russell Gates to Johnsrud to designated float-in sites with advance permit or reservation.
Roundup Fishing Access Site to Johnsrud Park Fishing Access SiteAbout 16.4 river miles
Canyon sampler: Whitaker Bridge to Johnsrud
This 5.9-mile Class II–III half-day run includes Thibodeau Rapid and The Ledge, and is the busiest stretch on hot summer days. Check the direct Bonner gauge and scout features before committing.
Whitaker Bridge Fishing Access Site to Johnsrud Park Fishing Access SiteAbout 6 river miles
Long run: Scotty Brown Bridge to Johnsrud
The 31.6-mile named reach crosses the wider Blackfoot corridor and can be staged at permitted float-in campsites. Confirm campsite availability, daylight, shuttle logistics, wood, and cold-water rescue capability.
Scotty Brown Bridge Fishing Access Site to Johnsrud Park Fishing Access SiteAbout 31.6 river miles
Lower river: Johnsrud to Weigh Station
The 10.6-mile Class I–II reach is the mellow summer float below the Recreation Corridor. Weigh Station is the last reliable take-out; check FWP restrictions before planning beyond it.
Johnsrud Park Fishing Access Site to Weigh Station Fishing Access SiteAbout 10.6 river miles
Montana FWP defines the Blackfoot River Recreation Corridor from Russell Gates downstream to Johnsrud. Camping within it is prohibited outside eight designated float-in campsites, which require advance reservation and permit. Confirm current campsite details and access restrictions in the FWP Blackfoot recreation guide and official access and camping map. The FWP current restrictions and closures page is the source to check before launch, including any notice affecting the river below Weigh Station.
Riverbeta lists the five named sections and their direct USGS 12340000 community flow cues: Russell Gates–Roundup, Roundup–Johnsrud, Whitaker–Johnsrud, Scotty Brown–Johnsrud, and Johnsrud–Weigh Station. These are community planning indicators, not safe operating limits; check the live USGS gauge, local wood, weather, site access, and the route’s difficulty before going.
Quick answers
Blackfoot River paddling FAQ
Where can I paddle the Blackfoot River?
Paddle Today tracks 36 Blackfoot River routes across Missoula County / Blackfoot River corridor. Compare the route cards on this page, then open an individual route for put-in, take-out, distance, and access notes.
How should I check Blackfoot River water levels?
Check the gauge notes for your stretch and its live score where available. This hub uses Blackfoot River near Bonner, MT. Planning routes have no live score; check their source guidance and current access notices.
Which Blackfoot River route is best today?
Compare current scores where available, along with water level, recent trend, weather, access, and route difficulty. Planning-only cards provide trip information without a live paddling recommendation.