Gallatin River
🎣 Blue-Ribbon Trout🏞 National Park🐟 TU Conservation
Gallatin Co. · 120 mi · Class I–IV
618CFS/ 1.82 ft
Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 600–3000 CFS · USGS #06043500
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Blue-Ribbon Trout Stream (Montana FWP) · Yellowstone National Park headwaters · Trout Unlimited Conservation
Flows from Yellowstone National Park through Big Sky and Bozeman to the Missouri River. Immortalized in 'A River Runs Through It' (filmed partly on the Gallatin and nearby Blackfoot). World-class whitewater above Big Sky, blue-ribbon trout fishing below.
Trip sections
Yellowstone Park headwaters — Class I–II, wildlife-rich
Big Sky Canyon — Class III–IV, the best whitewater
Gallatin Gateway to Bozeman — Class II–III, popular family run
Lower Gallatin — Class I–II, fly-fishing country
Outfitters
Montana Whitewater
Gallatin Canyon rafting since 1976
Geyser Whitewater
All Gallatin sections
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
See 10 years of flow patterns for this river — historical analysis is a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
Your Optimal Range
Set your personal optimal CFS window per river — custom ranges are a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
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.