Looking to spend a few hours in the great outdoors away from it all? This is your Whitewater River Trip Missoula! World class, family friendly, this trip is the best one in the state due to the volume, wildlife, location, and diversity of watershed and river features. It has been voted the #1 Thing to do in the Northwest for a day on a road trip. This whitewater river trip is approximately 2.5 – 3.5 hours depending on water flows and paddle power. Three departures daily: 9am, 1pm, and 4pm and does not include our riverside lunch like the full day option. This is the same trip as the full day with no stop.
Season: We run this river trip April – October, weather permitting. During the spring, April, May and early June this river offers Class III– IV whitewater rafting and rafters must be at least 16 years old. As the water drops this trip remains the best whitewater rafting in Montana and the region. Usually by mid June we can take 12+ and by early July 6+. Through the summer this stretch will still feature twelve Class II+ and III rapids. The Alberton Gorge is a legendary world-class whitewater trip that is safe for families (having a recovery flat stretch after each rapid). It is the largest river by volume in the state of MT and is quite possibly one of the prettiest stretches of whitewater in the west. We recommend ages 6+ but at low water levels in August can take a 5 year old. This is a not to miss activity while in the North Idaho/Western MT area.
Location: 39 Juniper Lane, Alberton MT 59820 – Our rafting headquarters is located 30 minutes west of Missoula Just off I-90 with private parking, changing rooms, gift shop, and we walk down to the river for our trip! A shuttle is available for Missoula guests if needed.
Coeur d’Alene and Idaho guests: it is closer for you to park at the shop! There is a time change when you arrive for this trip to Mountain Time.
Rafts: We use top-of-the-line, self-bailing NRS rafts that can be propelled by a team of paddlers or a single guide with oars. Family members of most ages and skill levels are welcome. Most of our rafts hold 6 people, some hold 7 or 8. We have a few larger ones to hold a group of 9 or 10 that want to stay together. We do not pack our rafts and 6-8 is our absolute threshold for a good quality time without tons of people around you on a raft. Any individuals requiring special needs will receive our full caring attention; please let us know in advance how we can support your group member’s success to have a great time.
Half Day Whitewater Trip No Lunch: We can provide fully catered lunch (featuring fresh natural foods and locally grown greens on our farm) for your raft trip if you’d like to do the full day adventure. Otherwise, pack a snack and your lunch in your car to eat after your trip!
Ask about combining a day of whitewater with a day of fishing or any other Montana adventure you seek.
We can help arrange local accommodations as well as plan your journey to points of interest, such as hiking trips to mountain lakes and hot springs, or horse back riding.
Half Day Whitewater Trip Price: Adults-$75 Ages 6 to 17 – $65
All trips include: Life Jackets, wet suits if needed for comfort, splash jackets, water shoes, guide, boat, paddles, shuttle back to your vehicle at our raft shop on the Clark Fork River, group transportation from Missoula (arrange in advance), and private parking. Full days include locally sourced lunch featuring fresh garden grown produce grown on site. Free Shuttle Available for groups in Missoula (arrange in advance). Customers meet at our river shop. Shop is 30 min West of Missoula, Montana or 2 hour drive East from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Trips run April-November, weather permitting. Please arrive 30 minutes before departure for check in. Clark Fork River trips run roughly 2.5-3.5 hours on the water without lunch and 4-5 hours with lunch and an additional sandy beach stop to swim or cliff jump into the river during mid summer weather. Water flow, traffic at the take out or put in, and paddling affect timing. We provide a drink or water during your 10 minute shuttle van ride back to our shop post trip.
Boats: We use outfitter grade NRS small sport boats that hold 6-8ppl. This provides our guides and customers quick maneuverability and a splashier and more intimate experience with nature and the river.
What to bring:
Wear sunscreen
Wear swimsuit and sun protective layers
Hat/Visor and Sunglasses with a retainer to stay on your head
Quick dry Shorts
Fleece Layers if spring or fall
We provide a nylon windbreaker, wetsuit, and water booties for free if chilly
Strapped Sandals/Water Shoes/Old tennis shoes to get wet
Warm or dry clothes in your car to change into post trip using our changing rooms
We recommend synthetic polyester material clothing for the river / No cotton!
Pack snacks, cooler, drinks and leave in your car for after your trip
We provide a drink for your 10 minutes van shuttle ride post trip back to your vehicle!
RESPONSIBILITY: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, river trips, by their nature, involve a certain amount of risk. Adventure Missoula and its’ personnel shall assume no responsibility whatsoever for injuries, damages, losses, or delays to persons or property. We require that you acknowledge these risks by reading and signing a liability release prior to departure.