Stillwater River
🎣 Blue-Ribbon Trout🌿 Wilderness
Stillwater / Park Co. · 80 mi · Class II–III
49.3CFS/ 5.38 ft
Below Optimal
Stable
Optimal: 800–3500 CFS · USGS #06209500
Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
80 mi
Length
Class II–III
Difficulty
800–3500 cfs
Optimal
1,400 cfs
Avg Flow
1,280 cfs
Hist. Median
#06209500
USGS Gauge
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness (headwaters) · Montana Blue-Ribbon Trout Stream

Drains the Beartooth Mountains (one of the highest mountain ranges in the U.S.) through the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness to Columbus. The upper river through the Beartooth canyon delivers Class III–IV whitewater in a spectacular alpine gorge; the lower river is a blue-ribbon trout stream in classic Paradise Valley-adjacent scenery. World-class fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout.

Trip sections
Upper Stillwater — Beartooth canyon, Class III–IV, wilderness
Absaroka to Nye — Class II–III, mountain valley transition
Nye to Columbus — Class I–II, lower river, blue-ribbon fishing
Outfitters
Absaroka Fly Fishing
Stillwater River guided float fishing
Montana Wilderness Outfitters
Upper Stillwater canyon trips
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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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.