Riverbeta
Flathead Valley / Glacier National Park

Middle Fork Flathead

The whitewater fork. Wild and Scenic from headwaters in the Bob Marshall Wilderness to confluence with the North Fork. Forms the southern boundary of Glacier National Park. Free-flowing, snowmelt-driven, no upstream dams. Filmed in The River Wild.

Runs
6
Class range
II–IV
Length
77.5 mi
Season
May–Oct
No. 01 · The river

Where the runs sit

↘
Every run drawn as its actual river channel, colored by today's runnability. Hover a line for the run; tap to open it.
  • Too low
  • Low
  • Prime
  • High
  • Too high
No. 02 · Runs

The sections, top to bottom

↘
Listed headwaters to confluence. Pick a run for live conditions, rapids beta, and the whole plan.

  1. Schafer Meadows to Bear Creek

    NO DATA
    III-IV · 27.5 mi · 35 ft/mi · Multi-day

    Wilderness multi-day. Great Bear Wilderness corridor. Fly-in or hike-in access only. Several significant rapid series. True wilderness — no road, no cell, no rescue.

    no live readingprime 4,000–8,000

  2. Bear Creek to Paola Access

    NO DATA
    II-III · 12 mi · 18 ft/mi · ≈ 4 hrs · Half-day

    Class II-III canyon water immediately below the Great Bear Wilderness. Red-mudstone canyon walls, the Walton Goat Lick, and the historic Izaak Walton Inn at Essex as a landmark.

    no live readingprime 1,000–8,000

  3. Paola Access to Moccasin Creek

    NO DATA
    II-III · 18 mi · ≈ 6 hrs · Full-day

    Long Class II float with one Class III feature (Brown's Hole), opening to broad braided cobble bars in Nyack Flats. Cascadilla Access (mi 11.62, river-right) is the recommended takeout — Moccasin Creek as a takeout is impractical.

    no live readingprime 1,000–8,000

  4. Moccasin Creek to West Glacier

    NO DATA
    III+ · 8.9 mi · 18 ft/mi · ≈ 4 hrs · Half-day

    Continuous read-and-run whitewater. The most popular day-trip whitewater run on any of the three forks. Railroad along river-left, Glacier National Park on river-right.

    no live readingprime 1,500–8,000

  5. West Glacier to Blankenship Bridge

    NO DATA
    II+ (III) · 5.4 mi · 8 ft/mi · ≈ 2 hrs · Half-day

    Scenic float with one Class III rapid. Deep gorges, impressive cliffs, deep pools. The family-friendly section.

    no live readingprime 1,500–12,000

  6. West Glacier to House of Mystery

    NO DATA
    II+ (III) · 11 mi · ≈ 4 hrs · Half-day

    A long scenic float — West Glacier down through the Middle Fork / North Fork confluence and onto the mainstem. Popular as a SUP and family float.

    no live readingprime 1,500–12,000
No. 03 · Where to start

Where to start

↘
The Middle Fork goes from family scenic to the most popular whitewater day-run in the valley — same river, pick your rung. New to rivers entirely? The start-here guide walks through the whole first season.
  1. First float
    West Glacier to BlankenshipClass II+

    The family-friendly section — two hours of scenic gorge water with one real rapid (Devil's Elbow) to show you what a rapid is.

  2. First whitewater
    Paola to MoccasinClass II–III

    A long Class II day with a single Class III feature (Brown's Hole) — whitewater mileage without continuous consequence.

  3. Stepping up
    Moccasin to West GlacierClass III+

    The classic — continuous read-and-run whitewater, the most popular hard day on any of the forks. Be solid on II–III water (and honest about the swim) first.

No. 04 · Multi-day trips

Multi-day trips

↘
Overnight trips — you camp on the river. Committing wilderness with no road bail-out, or a road corridor you can shorten or break into day-runs. Each rolls up today's runnability across its whole length.
No. 05 · Reference

Gauges & outside resources

↘
Where the live readings come from, and the outfits with the deeper river-by-river database.
Gauges & flow
  • USGS 12358500 · Middle Fork Flathead River near West Glacier MTUpdates every 15 min
Run databases
No. 06 · From the group

From the group

↘
Ranger's note ·Beta pulled from the Flathead Valley Paddling Society on Facebook — organized, attributed, and kept here so it doesn't vanish into the feed. The original conversations are at the bottom.

Safety

LeeRecent report

Mid-May 2026: lots of trees/wood reported in the river and it's running muddy and off-color. Be on your game.

Barbara / AJRecent reportsource ↗

Late May 2026: Jaws is 'gnarly' right now — high, fast, and punchy; it flipped a mini-raft (swimmers OK). A paddler lost a flip line and a locking carabiner in it — a possible entrapment hazard for others. Bonecrusher, by contrast, was reported small. Expect brutal wind in the corridor too.

AndersRecent reportsource ↗

River-wide strainer reported at the top of the Three Forks section. At high water this reach is no place to meet new wood — see the follow-up reports for where it went.

Guy15,000 cfsRecent report

Strainer above Three Forks rapid still in place. At ~15,000 cfs it forced mandatory lining of catarafts and rafts. All other rapids down to Bear Creek were clear of wood.

Maggie11,000 cfsRecent reportsource ↗

The Three Forks strainer has migrated downstream to the S-Turn near river mile 66. A party of 13-ft rafts ran the right line with no issues at 11,000 cfs.

JackRecent reportsource ↗

Wood at the upper end of Three Forks has shifted and is passable — takes real effort moving right. NEW: a big downed tree in the slot at lower 25 Mile, very hard to see from the boat. Catch the small eddy river-right against the wall for an easy portage up and over.

CajunAlways truesource ↗

Paddleboarding the Moccasin section — wear a helmet and a vest.

The run

RoyFlow-dependentsource ↗

Devil's Elbow: the river makes a big turn to the right, and at medium and higher flows the current pushes you into a large rock outcrop. You can avoid it entirely by portaging the gravel bar on river-right.

Jimmy11,000 cfsFlow-dependent

Browns Hole at high water (~11k): start left and move right as you enter, avoid the wall on the left, and eddy out to scout — the wave can be as tall as a 14' boat is long.

EthanFlow-dependentsource ↗

Box Canyon (on the West Glacier → Blankenship stretch): nothing to worry about around 4 ft / moderate flow. But at high water (~10–15k) the boils and eddy seams in the canyon get tricky. Community-named feature; not yet cross-confirmed.

JonAlways truesource ↗

Moccasin is read-and-run, but boily and swirly — expect continuous, pushy water rather than clean discrete drops.

Kevin / Beth / MelissaAlways truesource ↗

At lower/later-season flows you'll likely need to line the raft through some drops in the Three Forks Series. Take the smallest boats you can, keep it a paddle rig over an oar boat, and budget an extra day — you'll move slower than you expect.

Conditions

RobertRecent reportsource ↗

Late May 2026, ~6 ft: Cascadilla → West Glacier is tan-green with about 4 ft of visibility. Two non-threatening strainers ~2 miles above where Moccasin/Deerlick Creek enter; obstacles are visible well ahead. Tunnel → West Glacier is fast and semi-smooth, not washed out.

CarmenFlow-dependentsource ↗

Don't run the lower section into Blankenship on a windy day — the wind down there will blow you backwards up the river. Check the wind forecast.

JonFlow-dependentsource ↗

Moccasin is best mid-summer, when flows bring out the rapids; late summer gets too low. One paddler's gauge-stage read (note: gauge height in feet, not CFS): good around 3–4 ft for a raft, 2–3 ft for a kayak.

James2,000 cfsFlow-dependentsource ↗

Lower navigability floor: ~2,000 cfs is close to a hard minimum for a small raft on the upper reach from Schafer — at ~2,300 a 14' boat drags off a few rocks but goes. Flows pick up considerably once Granite Creek enters below Three Forks. (This is the 'navigable but dragging' floor; it's well below the prime band.)

Camping

NatAlways truesource ↗

A few good gravel-bar spots make this an easy first overnight with kids if you want to stretch the day float.

Is it for you

LehiFlow-dependent

Bear Creek runs better at higher flows — high water covers a lot of the rocks so it's less bony.

Andy11,000 cfsFlow-dependent

At high water on the Bear Creek run you want real experience on it and dry suits.

CajunAlways truesource ↗

Locals rate West Glacier to House of Mystery as a standout float — and you don't need a guide for anything below Moccasin.

CajunAlways truesource ↗

West Glacier to Blankenship is a little rougher — more whitewater — than the water below Blankenship.

Ethan / CodyAlways truesource ↗

West Glacier to Blankenship is an easy section at moderate flow — Devil's Elbow and Box Canyon are non-issues around 4 ft. Note Bonecrusher and Jaws are NOT on this run; they're upstream above West Glacier (the Moccasin run). Even so, locals stress that easy water still demands respect.

The original conversations

Amy asked

Does anyone have any idea about the condition of the Middle Fork from West Glacier to Blankenship? I have a hard kayak and usually paddle starting in July, but I'm dying to get out there. Anyone?

CodyIt's not massive but bigger than you'd be used to most Julys. I'd run it in any boat since it's an easy section — but even Class II can take lives, so it depends on your skill set.
RoyRunning about 4 feet. Few things to watch for: Bone Crusher and Jaws.
BenAren't Bonecrusher and Jaws up above West Glacier?
EthanYes, those are above West Glacier. From West Glacier to Blankenship you'll be totally fine. Devil's Elbow and Box Canyon are nothing to worry about at 4k. If it were more like 10–15k, the boils and eddy seams in Box Canyon can be tricky.
View the original thread →
Keagan asked

Upper Middle Fork trip planned, Schafer Meadows down to Bear Creek, put-in June 29. Packrafts and small 10ft rafts as a paddle boat or oar rig. Looks like the river is peaking early this year. Anyone have experience getting down the upper part at lower flows? We're ready for bony nonsense, but I don't want to get totally stuck.

James2000 cfs is close to a hard minimum for a (small) raft on the upper stretch from Schafer. Flows pick up considerably once Granite Creek drops in below Three Forks.
KevinYou'll do fine in packrafts and likely that smaller raft. I'd keep it a paddle rig rather than an oar boat. You'll likely need to line the raft through some rapids in the Three Forks Series. Going that late, take an extra day if you can — you'll be slower than you anticipate.
MelissaRan it at 2300 in a 14' 1000lb boat the last 3 years. Had to drag off a few rocks, but it's fine. A 10-footer should be gravy.
BethTwo years ago we did this and spent a lot of time getting our boats off rocks — we left around July 7. Take the smallest boats possible; you'll enjoy the trip more.
View the original thread →
Hannah asked

Hi crew! Interested in doing Bear Creek to Cascadilla tomorrow. We have run this stretch many times but never at these flows. Looks to be running around 11k. Any advice, intel, words of wisdom?

LeeRan it last year at 11,000 — it's a bunch in places. Depends on your experience. A friend who lives on the river said this morning there are a bunch of trees in the river now and it's muddy.
AndyAt this water level, you should have some experience on that stretch and dry suits if you plan on running it.
JimmyStart left and move right as you enter Browns. It'll be HUGE. You really want to avoid the wall on the left. Definitely worth an eddy-out and scout.
AndrewDrove through the area today coming from the east side. It's pumping and off-color, as expected. Should be fun, but definitely be on your game.
JessicaI wanna run this section, but not right now. Way too much wood in the water.
SamuelDefinitely scout Browns. Last year we ran it at 11k and the wave was about as tall as my 14' boat is long.
LehiBrowns Hole should be a fun wave. I prefer Bear Creek at around those levels — it clears up a lot of the rocks and it's not so bony.
Ed asked

Will be over near the Middle Fork. Looking for someone to show me the way down from Moccasin Creek to West Glacier, Saturday 5/9/26.

JonJust did it. Boily and swirly.
JonThe best is mid-summer, when it brings out the best of the rapids. Late summer is too low. For a raft, likely between 3 and 4 feet on the gauge; for a kayak, between 2 and 3 feet. It's still fun lower, but it's not as good a high-water river as others.
JaronRead and run.
View the original thread →
Robert asked

Did a shakedown run today, Cascadilla to West Glacier. Tan-green water at I'd guess 6 feet. Two non-threatening strainers about 2 miles above where Moccasin/Deerlick Creek enter. Stayed in the main channel, mostly — can spot the obstacles well ahead of time, so in my opinion a novice can do it, depending on boat size. The water from Tunnel to West is fast, semi-smooth but not washed out. Visibility about 4 feet deep.

BarbaraVery splashy through the whitewater section. Jaws is gnarly — chewed up my little mini-raft and spat us out swimming. We were fine, but it's high, fast, and punchy right now. The only thing I lost in Jaws was my flip line, tucked behind the clamshell pocket of my PFD — and a locking carabiner. Hopefully it doesn't become an entrapment hazard for someone else.
AJWe floated Moccasin to Blankenship yesterday. Water was fast, but the wind was horrible — had to fight just to get into Tunnel Rapids, and it was basically just rollers. Bonecrusher was small and not much action.
View the original thread →
Anders asked

PSA: river-wide strainer at the top of Three Forks on the upper Middle Fork, 5/29/26.

BethProps for going up there during high water. I've heard it can be pretty sketchy early in the season.
SavanaYa I would not suggest it right now.
View the original thread →
Natasha asked

Looking for some insight. My friend and I come up every year and float on SUP's from HH to Teakettle or Kokanee. We've done Blankenship to Teakettle and HH to Old Steel Bridge before. Those are the only routes we know. Are there any other stretches of the river that you'd recommend? I've done white water rafting a few times and have been paddling the river on my SUP for around 4-5 years. Nothing crazy though, and no training.

CassidyI like middle fork golf course to Blankenship.
CajunYou need to start at West Glacier! Take out at House of Mystery. Best stretch imo.
NatashaHow long? Rapids? Do it with someone knowledgeable first?
CajunYou don't need a guide to do anything below Moccasin.
CajunYes rapids, but nothing crazy.
CajunWest Glacier to Blankenship is a little rougher than Blankenship down, in terms of whitewater.
RoyWhen are you coming? The water level makes a big difference. As Cajun said, consider West Glacier to Blankenship. There is one rapid, Devil's Elbow, worth mentioning. The river makes a big turn to the right. At medium and higher flows the current pushes you into the big rock outcrop. You can totally avoid it by portaging over the gravel bar on the right.
CarmenJust not on a remotely windy day! That last part will blow you backwards up the river!
CajunOh, I should've mentioned that. Always check the wind forecast before getting on the river.
CajunI've paddleboarded Moccasin, but I recommend a helmet and vest for that.
NatashaWe usually come mid-to-late July.
RoyA good time of year for SUP. Unless we just got a bunch of rain, the flow should be on the lower side of moderate. Definitely West Glacier to Blankenship. It'll probably be a good level to play around in Devil's Elbow — carry back up and run it multiple times trying different lines, and practice ferries, eddy turns, and peel-outs at the bottom. Have fun!
View the original thread →
Guy asked

PSA: Upper Middle Fork strainer above Three Forks rapid still in place 5/30. 15k cfs flows required mandatory cataraft/raft lining. All other rapids to Bear Cr were clear of wood.

Maggie asked

Just got off the Upper Middle Fork Flathead and the strainer that was previously reported in Three Forks has migrated to the S-Turn at river mile 66, as of June 6. Our party took 13-foot rafts down the right line with no issues at 11,000 cfs.

View the original thread →
Jack asked

Wood at the upper end of the Three Forks section has shifted and is passable; still be aware of downstream wood — it takes a good bit of effort moving right. NEW WOOD: big downed tree in the slot at lower 25 Mile that is very difficult to see from the boat. We caught a small eddy up against the wall river-right; easy portage up and over.

View the original thread →
Anna asked

Hoping to sneak an overnight float in over Father's Day weekend — ideally a short float you could normally do in a day, camping somewhere along the way. Introducing our small human to river camping; we have technical whitewater experience but want nothing crazy with our passenger.

NatWest Glacier to Blankenship has a few good spots. Columbia Falls to Kalispell also has lots of good spots.
MelodieIt's a great time of year for the North Fork — it gets too low later in the season. Start at the border and finish at Polebridge; get a treat at the bakery. Amazing views.
NateI've had tons of luck doing overnights with very little humans between Teakettle and Presentine. Lots of good spots and a quick float out the next day — the best spots show up with lower water at the end of summer.
View the original thread →