Boulder River Floating

The Boulder River originates in the Absoraka/Beartooth Wilderness Area at a elevation of 8,800 feet just south of Big Timber where it flows north in the Boulder River Valley. It flows 61.8 miles (45 air miles) north through the Boulder River Valley into the Yellowstone River at Big Timber at a elevation of 4,000 feet. This is a look at Montana at its best with a River Running Through It! The Boulder River is appropriately named, as bread loaf sized boulders can be seen lining the river bed through its crystal clear waters. The beautiful Boulder River Valley is worth the drive to just view the magnificent scenery. The Boulder River divides the Absoraka Mountain Range and the Beartooth Mountain Range and is an edge geological area, therefore giving it a unique look and feel. Three forks of the Boulder River, West Boulder River, Main Boulder, and East Boulder River all converge near McLeod and then flow 20 miles until it reaches the Yellowstone River at Big Timber. You can find excellent recreation opportunities on the Boulder River including Kayaking, Floating, and Fishing. You can also combine activities by Camping, Hiking, and Hunting in the Boulder River Valley.

Kayakers find the Boulder River challenging to run and make annual trips during the spring runoff. There are two floatable sections of the Boulder divided by a 105' waterfall called Natural Bridge Falls. The portion above Natural Bridge Falls is for kayaks only - from Milepost "51" to Falls Creek Milepost "39". This portion has stretches of river that are classified as Class III (very experienced), IV (expert), and V (super elite expert) depending on the flow. The first 3 miles from Milepost "51" to Milepost "48" is Class IV and V. The next 9 floatable miles from Milepost "48" to Falls Creek Campground is Class III. Kayakers taking the trail above the Hells Canyon Campground may float 12 miles before exiting at Falls Creek Campground and avoiding the falls. If you kayak the upper portion of the river, you want to make sure that you get off at the Falls Creek Campground before the 105' Natural Bridge Falls!

You can float the lower portion of the Boulder River below the Natural Bridge Falls. There are several access points that parallel the road up the Boulder River Valley, so access is easy. The lower sections of the river takes an intermediate level raft or whitewater canoe skilled person to navigate. Floating on the Boulder is can be tricky as it is fairly shallow in the summer months and high during the spring runoff. Some people even take an inner tube and float sections. The lower section starts at 22.7 miles up from the Yellowstone River and ends at the confluence of the Yellowstone and the Boulder at Big Timber. If you are floating the river in a vessel, it is recommended that you use a raft or whitewater canoe.

The Boulder River is a Blue Ribbon trout river where you can find quality rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and brown trout fishing. Most fishermen fly fish the boulder river, but take along your spinning rod and you will not be disappointed. There are good populations of rainbows in the upper river and a solid mix of browns and rainbows on the lower portion. Fly hatches are quite heavy, and fish really key in on the. Caddis, mayflies, stoneflies are commonly fished in March, April, and May. Salmonflies and green drakes come of as the water begins to build in May. Watch for PMDs in July and August, along with terrestrials like hoppers and ants. In the fall some awfully large brown s move out of the Yellowstone and into the Boulder for the spawn. Try large weighted streamers at this time. There are many public accesses along the Boulder, one about every 8 miles. Access the the river is not diffucult, as the road parallels the river and signs point out the numerous access points.

The upper river can be described as a medium-sized stream that cuts through a glacial vialley. It has a steep gradient that is laced with lots of boulders providing classic pocket water action. It has wide, rocky riffles that fish move into when the weatere warms, and it provides a few glassy slicks where delicate dry flies are a must. The boulder river is open all year, with a two trout limit and only one over 13 inches. There is quite a bit of private land along the Boulder River Valley, but Montana laws give fishermen access if you stay below the high water mark. Since the Boulder River is not an ideal river to float fish, bring your waders and walk the river. A walking stick is recommended, as the bottom is rocky and can be hard to navigate.

Sightsee
32 miles from the mouth of the Boulder is a 105' waterfall known as Natural Bridge.

Boulder River Statistics and Flow Information
Drain Area:	523 square miles
Average Flow	582 cfs
Max Flow	9,840 cfs
Min Flow	10 cfs
Gradient (drop)	4,800 feet in 61.8 miles
Lower Float Gradient	900 feet in 22.7 miles
Clarity	Clear in all months- clowdy in the height of spring runoff from April thru June
Water Temperature	Jan. 32 degrees April 52 degrees July 61 degrees Oct. 54 degrees
Maps	USFS - Gallatin NF - Custer NF (Beartooth Division lower portion only)
Dangers	105' Waterfall at Natural Bridge Milepost 32.9