Riverbeta
Middle Fork Flathead · Flathead Valley / Glacier National Park

West Glacier to Blankenship Bridge

The scenic family section starting at West Glacier, below the whitewater section, ending at Blankenship Bridge where the North Fork joins. Length ≈ 5.4 mi by FRA river-mile (West Glacier R.M. 14.9 → Blankenship R.M. 9.5). One Class III rapid (Devil's Elbow) — otherwise meandering through steep canyon walls. Ideal for first-time families, dinner floats, scenic trips. Glacier National Park on river-right the entire way. FRA lists Blankenship as two accesses (East and West); the data models one for now.

Class
II+ (III)
Length
5.4 mi
Gradient
8 ft/mi
On-water
≈ 2 hrs
OK
High at 15,400 CFS — experienced parties only.
Updated 1 hr ago · USGS 12358500 M F Flathead River near West Glacier MT
Flood WatchFlood Watch issued June 1 at 11:29AM MDT until June 2 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MTNOAA ↗
Going-to-the-Sun Road Spring StatusGoing-to-the-Sun Road is open to Avalanche Creek on the west side of the park. On the east side, the road is open to Jackson Glacier Overlook. Travel on open sections of the road may change due to spring weather conditions. Visitors should check road conditions before their arrival.NPS · Park Closure ↗
No. 01 · Today

What the river is doing today

↘
Live flow and weather, straight off the gauge — updated every fifteen minutes.

FLOW USGS 12358500 ↗ Middle Fork Flathead River near West Glacier MT

15,400
cu ft / sec
rising · +2,600 over 24 h· gauge 7.21 ft
≈75th percentile for the date — a bit above normal for the date · median ~10,900 cfs
19,08013,0356,990945MONSUNFRITHUFORECAST →NOW · 15,400
Too low <1,050Low 1,050–1,500Prime 1,500–12,000High 12,000–18,000Too high >18,000

Zones are a community estimate — no agency publishes a flow window for this run. Today's flow sits in the band of the same color. Dashed forward lines: the NOAA NWPS short-range forecast ↗ on 7-day & 30-day, and the NWRFC ensemble outlook ↗ on Season.

ON THE WATER

Rain · Today · NOAA forecast ↗
Water
45°F
Air high
55°F
Precip
98%
Wind
2mph W
Sunrise
5:40AM
Sunset
9:30PM
No. 02 · Honest read

Is today the day?

↘
A read for what's actually running — not a generic class description. Updated with every gauge tick.

Pushy — pick your crew

Above the best-at range. Features that are friendly at normal flow carry real power right now.

At 15,400 CFS this is a pushy, fast Class II+ (III) day for strong intermediates only. Eddies are fewer and harder to catch; swims are longer. Two-boat minimum is non-negotiable.
  • ✦Fewer eddies. Plan recovery lines before each rapid; expect longer swims.
  • ✦Two boats, minimum. Long runs with no road. You are your own rescue.
  • ✦Helmet, throw bag, whistle on every paddler. Pin kit split between boats.
  • ✦Dress for the swim, not the float — dry layers waiting at the take-out.
  • ✦Tell someone your plan and the time you expect to be off the water.
No. 03 · Going guided

Outfits that run this water

↘
Outfitters that run this water commercially — a sound call for cold, pushy water or a first time on the run. Trips run spring through fall.

Absaroka River Adventures

Columbus / Absarokee

A local outfitter running guided trips in this drainage. Check their site for current trips, ages, and rates.

Rates on their siteVisit →

Glacier Guides / Montana Raft

West Glacier

A local outfitter running guided trips in this drainage. Check their site for current trips, ages, and rates.

Rates on their siteVisit →

Glacier Raft Co

West Glacier

A local outfitter running guided trips in this drainage. Check their site for current trips, ages, and rates.

Rates on their siteVisit →
No. 04 · The run

Mile by mile

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

Read-and-run at most flows — but rivers change. Scout anything you can't read from upstream, and treat a flaggedportage / scout note below as the minimum, not the whole story.

mi 1Devil's Elbow

Devil's ElbowIII

A few hundred yards downstream of the jump rock at the McDonald Creek confluence. Enter center-right and work right to avoid flippy rocks at the end on river-left of the turn. The only significant rapid on this run.
No. 05 · Getting there & back

How to get there. How to get back.

↘
Put-in, take-out, and the shuttle between them. Confirm road conditions before a remote launch.
Put-in

West Glacier

48.4953, -114.0092Directions ↗
Notes
Large cobble-bar take-out off River Bend Drive on river left. Higher-clearance vehicle recommended — passenger cars can bottom out on river cobbles. Heavy outfitter use; parking lot for trailers. Do not park on the beach. Private property adjoins — respect neighbors. Hand-carry craft can also exit upstream at the historic Belton Bridge via a short steep trail.
Take-out

Blankenship Bridge

48.4740, -114.1150Directions ↗
Notes
Just upstream of the bridge on river-left is the formal river access. County non-fee campground on opposite bank. WATCH the bridge pylons — wrap potential. Reachable from Highway 2 above Coram.
Shuttle

10.6 mi self-shuttle

≈ 23 min driveShuttle route ↗
Route
Spot a vehicle at the take-out, drive boats to the put-in, retrieve at the end of the day.
Source
Driving distance via the Mapbox Directions API; matches a standard road shuttle, not a back-road shortcut.
Permits
None
Season
May 10 – October 15 (Glacier Guides commercial season). Long, forgiving season.
Rules & regulationsvia Flathead Rivers Alliance ↗
  • Personal flotation device. A USCG-approved PFD must be carried on board for every person. Anyone 12 or under must wear a PFD while the vessel is underway.
  • Bear-resistant food storage. IGBC-approved bear-resistant food storage is required in the river corridor — this is grizzly country.
  • Human-waste containment. Self-contained or solid human-waste containment is required on the Middle and North Forks (recommended on the South Fork).
  • Fire management. Fire pans or fire blankets are required or strongly recommended; camp stoves are preferred over campfires.
  • Aquatic-invasive-species inspection. An AIS inspection (NPS and Montana FWP) is required before launching anywhere in the basin.
No. 06 · Hazards on this run

What to watch for

↘
Hazards we have on record for this run specifically. Universal river-safety practice — gear, group, emergencies — is on the disclaimer & safety page.

No standout hazards are flagged for this run — which is not the same as none. Wood moves and channels shift; scout anything you can't read from upstream.

Corridor contactsvia Flathead Rivers Alliance ↗
  • Emergencies. Dial 911. Cell coverage is limited throughout the corridor — plan to be self-reliant between accesses.
  • Primary rescue. North Valley Search & Rescue covers all three forks of the Flathead.
  • FWP warden. Ben Chappelow (Middle and South Forks)
  • Nearest hospitals. Logan Health Whitefish and Logan Health Medical Center (Kalispell) are the primary regional facilities; serious trauma is flown to Kalispell or Missoula.
  • Life-jacket loaner stations. Free loaner PFDs are available at the West Glacier and Glacier Rim access points, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
No. 07 · Before you head up the highway

Today's gear call

↘
Tailored to today's water temperature and this run's difficulty. The full always-bring list is on the disclaimer & safety page.
Today-specific · 45°F water · class II+ (III)

At 45°F, this gear is non-optional.

Drysuit, or 3 mm+ wetsuit with a paddling jacket.
Water is 45°F — hypothermia risk in a swim.
Neoprene gloves or pogies.
Hands quit fast at this temperature.
Helmet rated for whitewater.
Class II+ (III) — boulders and shallow hits.
Throw bag per paddler; pin kit split between boats.
Self-rescue is the only rescue out here.
Dry clothes and a warm hat in a dry bag.
Hypothermia prevention after a swim.
No. 08 · From the boats that ran it

What the last few boats said

↘
Sorted by similarity to today's flow. Reports are the best signal we have for what a run feels like — leave one when you get home.
No trip reports on this run yetThe names of the rapids you ran, the flow at the gauge, the line you took — that is the best signal there is. Submitting your own report opens up once accounts ship.
No. 09 · 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.

The run

RoyFlow-dependent

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-dependent

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.

Conditions

RobertRecent report

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-dependent

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.

Is it for you

Andy11,000 cfsFlow-dependent

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

LehiFlow-dependent

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

CajunAlways true

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

Ethan / CodyAlways true

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 →
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 →
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.
Gauges & flow
Land managers
Community
Related runs