The Yellowstone River River Floating

River Access  Float Distances and Times  Shuttle Methods  Float Guides

Floating the Yellowstone River is an excellent way to see some of the most beautiful Montana landscape.  It is a relaxing way to view the natural area that brings people back for more.  The Yellowstone River  is considered a "Navigable River" below Billings, and aside from periods of high water, the river offers easy floats. It is a wide, fairly smooth flowing river that is primarily floated with "float boats", rafts, and an occasional canoe.  Contact a river guide for opportunities for a river float.

Any moderate size vessel will work fine and the skill level of floaters is considered beginner, but you must take caution around the diversion dams and short whitewater rapids. If you do float the Yellowstone with a canoe, make sure that the wind is not blowing, as it can be difficult to keep your canoe pointed in the right direction considering wind direction and current.  See the Yellowstone River page to find out the key times to float the river.

Float Distances and Times

The Yellowstone river travels between 2 and 3 miles per hour, so taking that into consideration, an average float of 8 miles takes about 5 hours.

Float	Miles	Time	Distances from Otter Creek Access
Springdale to Gray Bear	10	6 hours
Gray Bear to Otter Creek	9	5.5 hours
Otter Creek to Pelican	12	7.5 hours
Pelican to  Bratten	11	7 hours
Bratten to Reedpoint.	6	4 hours

Shuttle Methods:

     You can use two vehicles or employ a shuttle service from Big Timber.  You can have a friend meet you at a designated time.  If you are alone, you can bring along a bicycle or small trail motorcycle and leave it locked to a tree. You can also contact a local fisherman shuttle service to have your vehicle dropped off at a designated location.