North Fork Flathead · Multi-day trip
Polebridge to Blankenship Bridge — North Fork multi-day
The classic North Fork family multi-day — 34 mi of mostly Class I-II through Glacier-bordering country with one canyon section that brings the only Class III water on the trip.
Is it running today?
- 1NO14,400 cfs
- 2NO14,400 cfs
- 3OK14,400 cfs
Roll-up assumes the weakest-link rule — any stage outside its runnable range trips the whole trip. Click a stage for the full per-segment page with the live chart, rapids, and per-segment beta.
Will it be running?
Outlook · most-downstream gauge · USGS 12355500The prime band is the overlap of every stage's window — the flow range where the whole trip is in shape — and the trip-window verdict gates on the stage that needs the most water (1,500 cfs). Readings are from the most-downstream gauge; the upstream wilderness reaches run lower.
- Too low
- Low
- Prime
- High
- Too high
The trip
The most-done family multi-day on the North Fork. Drive in to Polebridge (long bumpy road, Mercantile + Northern Lights Saloon at the put-in), float ~34 miles down to Blankenship Bridge over 2–3 days. Stage 1 is mellow scenic float through log-jam and dead-end-braid country. Stage 2 is the canyon section that holds the only Class III water (Upper Fool Hen, Lower Fool Hen, and ⚠️ The Ledge — a pour-over with a Beacon-attributed 2017 fatality; scout from the left bank). Stage 3 is a short cruise to the take-out at the Middle Fork confluence — AW recommends river-right at Blankenship to avoid ferrying the larger Middle Fork. Bear country throughout — Alaska-style camping protocol.
Planning
Season. June through early August. Peak flows early June; gets boney late summer.
Permits & regs. Camping on river-left (Glacier National Park) requires a backcountry permit from the Apgar backcountry office, including a mandatory bear-aware video. River-right is Flathead National Forest — dispersed camping allowed. Wild & Scenic Corridor regulations apply throughout: PFDs, IGBC-approved bear-resistant food storage, solid human waste containment, fire pan or blanket.
Stages
Each stage is its own page with rapids, live flow chart, hazards, and community beta. Use those for the granular detail — this page is the trip-level overview.
- Stage 1Polebridge to Big Creek ↗
Long scenic float, not whitewater. Glacier NP boundary on river-left. Best as part of a multi-day. Wood hazards are the main concern.
- Stage 2Big Creek to Glacier Rim ↗
Most popular North Fork run. Canyon section below the Camas Creek road. Burn-scar landscape from 2001/2003 fires. Several Class III features. Several good surf waves at medium-low flows.
Short, mellow, family-friendly. Ends at the confluence with the Middle Fork.