where to go
standup paddle boarding & tubing
shawn robertson
Jason Shreder Owner of zoo town surfers
“There are many things to love about Missoula, Montana. Since my experience usually starts on the river, I will start from there. Folks who come to Missoula quickly realize several things about the inhabitants: The people that live here love it and like doing lots of activities. The Clark Fork River flows through the heart of Missoula and that is enough reason for me to live here. We are lucky. The Clark Fork River has water all year long and river user are able to enjoy its abundant array of recreational opportunities all year long. With the removal of Milltown Dam, and the addition of Brennan’s Wave and Silver Park, Missoula is becoming a whitewater Mecca. Not only do we have a manmade wave in Downtown Missoula, but within walking distance, there are numerous restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries a stone throw away. Yes, there are other things to do but for us river folks, beer, food and coffee are essentials. The Max Wave, another proposed river enhancement project, just downstream of Brennan’s Wave is hoping to be complete by 2015. These type of improvements will certainly draw more visitors to Missoula. Seeing these improvements not only on the river, but throughout our community show how much we care about the community. Missoula is also a hub for some of the best rivers in the world. The Lochsa, Salmon, and Selway Rivers are all within a tank of gas, and the Alberton Gorge boasts decent Class III rapids all year round. If whitewater is not your thing then there are plenty of scenic floating opportunities available as well. Hop on an intertube and float through downtown Missoula or head up to the legendary Blackfoot River for some cold, clear water. No matter what your sense of adventure is, Missoula has something to offer for everyone. Hope to see you soon!”
sage burgess
Good to Know:
The rivers
ebb and flow with heavy rains and spring runoff. Later in the summer may prove a better choice for novice water enthusiasts.
If you like your water calm, visit Frenchtown Pond State Park, just 15 minutes west of Missoula, or Flathead Lake, a 90-minute drive north. The more adventurous may want to try paddle boarding on the river. While still relatively calm, the moving water adds another layer of excitement. Two fun, local runs are the Clark Fork River and the Bitterroot River. For the first, put in at East Missoula at the Sha-Ron fishing access site and take out downtown Missoula, either at the bridge at Finn & Porter (you’ll see the diners waving to you from the patio), river right, or float another 150 to 200 yards to Bess Reed Park, also river right, where you’ll see a small trail climbing up the embankment. NOTE: if you continue past these takeout points, you’ll float into downtown and through Brennan’s Wave. Tubers should plan on getting soaked as they make their way through the whitewater. Inexperienced paddle boarders and rafters should take out before the wave. To run the Bitterroot, put in at Maclay Flat and cruise all the way to the Kona Ranch Road Bridge. Take out river left, just before passing under the bridge. Both of these stretches are ideal for inflatable kayaks, rafts and inner tubes as well. You’ll find tube, raft, and kayak rentals downtown at The Trail Head and 10,000 Waves Raft and Kayak Adventures.
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outdoor recreation
why I love missoula: