Greg Peters - Standup Paddling Montana: A Guide to the Best Rivers, Lakes, and National Parks in the Region

The author on the Missouri River in May. Self-portrait.

I am indebted to Hank, Carol, and Kit Fischer, who wrote Paddling Montana, a wonderful and informative guidebook that details paddling more than thirty Montana rivers. My copy of this book is so dog-eared, Im surprised I can still read it. Im especially grateful for the river mileage tables and river maps that were repurposed from Paddling Montanafor this book.

Im also grateful for a host of online resources, and I encourage readers to do their own research. Google Earth, paddling forums, fishing retailers, and other internet resources can be invaluable for planning paddling trips. They are not, however, infallible. For example, Google Earth uses imagery that can be two decades old, that was taken at different times of the year, and that includes improperly labeled photos and landmarks. It can be a great tool, but its no substitute for local knowledge and roadside scouting.

Im also grateful to my wife and family for their support in writing this book. Montana is a big state, and researching this book required a lot of driving, camping, and, of course, paddling. Their willingness to join me or to let me head out on my own and with friends allowed me to cover much of the state. Thanks also to my friends and paddling partners who have joined me during my fifteen years of paddling in Montana. And special thanks to those friends who contributed photos for this book.

Finally, Im grateful to the public land managersMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), USDA Forest Service (USFS), National Park Service (NPS)private landowners, nonprofits, and other river advocates, past, present, and future, who have recognized that Montanas rivers are incredible resources that deserve protection and stewardship and should be open for public use. Unlike many states, Montana grants public access to rivers regardless of who owns the shoreline or streambed, something that is unique and truly amazing. The organizations, landowners, and agencies that steward these resources deserve our support and respect. This means stopping at aquatic invasive species (AIS) checkpoints, paying camping fees, getting permits when paddling in national parks or on reservations, and being courteous and respectful to the law enforcement officers, agency officials, and campground hosts who are doing their jobs. Please follow the rules, obey closures, and model good behavior.

Length: 153 miles total; 92 miles from Highway 43 bridge north of Wisdom to confluence with Beaverhead River

Float time: Variable depending on float length; roughly 56 mph at high water, 23 mph at low water

Difficulty: Variable depending on section; generally moderate to difficult

Rapids: Class I except for Class IIIII canyon section between Wise River and Divide

River type: Starts as high-elevation meandering stream, becomes moderately sized river as it descends through the canyon by Wise River, finishes as a wide, slow river in arid valley

Current: Varies with water level; generally strong and swift

River gradient: 14 feet per mile from Highway 43 bridge north of Wisdom to confluence with Beaverhead River

River gauge: USGS: Wise River, Maiden Rock, Melrose; minimum level for floating on a SUP is about 250 cfs