Blackfoot River
🎣 Blue-Ribbon Trout
Powell / Missoula Co. · 132 mi · Class I–II
3,730CFS/ 4.66 ft
Optimal→Stable
Water temp: 46°F — Hypothermia risk, wear a drysuit
Optimal: 1500–5000 CFS · USGS #12340000
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Difficulty
Optimal
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USGS Gauge
Blackfoot Challenge Conservation Area · Montana Blue-Ribbon Trout Stream
'A River Runs Through It' country. Norman Maclean's Blackfoot River flows 132 miles from the Continental Divide to the Clark Fork near Missoula. A beloved recreation river restored through a landmark conservation partnership. Exceptional fly-fishing, continuous Class II–III whitewater in spring, and access to some of the last wild bull trout habitat in the lower 48.
Trip sections
Upper Blackfoot — Landers Fork to Lincoln, Class I–II
Middle Blackfoot — Lincoln to Clearwater junction, Class II–III
Lower Blackfoot — Clearwater to Clark Fork, the Maclean water
Outfitters
Ten Spoon Winery & Vineyard
Blackfoot float-and-wine packages
Missoula Paddleheads
Blackfoot canoe and kayak rentals
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.