See all 6 routes on Clark Fork River
Montana | Missoula County / Clark Fork urban corridor
Clark Fork RiverSha-Ron Fishing Access to Silver Park Boat Landing
A continuous urban Clark Fork day reach from Sha-Ron through Jacobs Island to the Silver Park take-out.
Checking current river conditions…
Route location
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.

Need to know
Why this call
Safety
Route safety
CautionThis route has hazards or access considerations that require extra verification.
Safety details
Wear a properly fitted PFD and carry communication, throw rope and offline navigation.
- Scout strainers, braided channels and current changes; cold water remains a serious hazard even in summer.
- Stay clear of the former Milltown dam site and the Grass Valley diversion dam; Silver Park is take-out only.
- Use only named public access points, respect private banks and check current FWP or city closure notices.
Keep Clark Fork River handy
Save this route in PaddleToday and check its conditions before your next paddle.
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
A continuous urban Clark Fork day reach from Sha-Ron through Jacobs Island to the Silver Park take-out.
Access map
Put-in
Sha-Ron Fishing Access, Missoula (refined water-entry edge)Use only the named public access points and existing paths.
Take-out
Silver Park Boat Landing, Missoula (refined take-out water-entry edge)Silver Park is a take-out-only landing; do not launch there.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Use only the named public access points and existing paths.
- Silver Park is a take-out-only landing; do not launch there.
- Respect limited parking, gate hours and neighboring private property.
Watch for
- USGS flow and fast rises
- Strainers, cold water and braided channels
- Dam and diversion hazards
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.
Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.
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.
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
Clark Fork above Missoula, 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 note
Preferred range: 2,000 cfs to 10,000 cfs · Clark Fork above Missoula, MT
Does this gauge apply to my trip?
Check the Clark Fork gauge, FWP and city access notices and weather before launch; current, cold water and diversion hazards remain.
New to reading stage or flow? Read the paddler's gauge guide.
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampWeather
Hourly forecast
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
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.
- Checking data sources and update times.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Clark Fork above Missoula, MT |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 2,000 cfs to 10,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 2,000 cfs |
| High threshold | 15,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | RiverScout Clark Fork flow and reach guide |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
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 float timeSha-Ron Fishing Access to Silver Park Boat Landing; Allow 3–5 hours with current and shuttle time
Destination Missoula identifies this named access pair as a common Clark Fork float and publishes access hours, parking and launch limitations.
- Scoring band2,000–10,000 cfs community planning band
RiverScout ties the band to USGS 12340500. Recheck current telemetry, trend and closure notices before travel.
- GaugeUSGS 12340500 Clark Fork above Missoula
Direct Clark Fork telemetry for the Missoula corridor; verify the live value and trend immediately before launch.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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.
Share your trip
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 routesMore on Clark Fork River
All 6Nearby routes within 75 miles
Quick answers
Clark Fork River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Sha-Ron Fishing Access to Silver Park Boat Landing route on the Clark Fork River?
Paddle Today watches Clark Fork above Missoula, MT and treats 2,000 cfs to 10,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Sha-Ron Fishing Access to Silver Park Boat Landing route on the Clark Fork River start and end?
This route starts at Sha-Ron Fishing Access, Missoula (refined water-entry edge) and ends at Silver Park Boat Landing, Missoula (refined take-out water-entry edge), about 8.5 river miles on the water.
Is the Sha-Ron Fishing Access to Silver Park Boat Landing route on the Clark Fork 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.
