How To Enjoy The Gallatin River In Big Sky, MT

The scenic drive from Bozeman or West Yellowstone into Big Sky is an awe-inspiring introduction to Montana’s mighty Gallatin River. US Route 191 follows the Gallatin River from Bozeman south to Big Horn Pass near the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park with many pull-outs and trailheads to access the river. Plan to take your time! The Gallatin River Canyon is a wilderness corridor for bighorn sheep, black bears, elk, and moose so expect wildlife encounters! The drive to Big Sky, MT is beautiful.   

The Gallatin River is world-renowned for its blue ribbon trout fishing. If you’ve watched Robert Redford’s classic movie “A River Runs Through It”, then you know all about the world-class fly fishing experience that awaits on the trout-rich Gallatin River. The Gallatin River hosts hovers of rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat trout for year-round flyfishing and is best fished with waders, from the river banks, or with a professional, local guide that knows the secret fishing spots on the Gallatin River. A Montana Fishing License is required!   

The Gallatin is one of the best rivers for whitewater rafting in Montana and most Gallatin River trips leave right here from Big Sky! The upper stretch of the Gallatin River between West Yellowstone and Big Sky features gentle waters and easy Class I-II rapids for a scenic float trip with stunning views and endless opportunities for wildlife sightings.

The wild whitewater stretch of the Gallatin River is between Big Sky and Squaw Creek Bridge about 15 miles north. The lower whitewater section ranges from Class II-III rapids for a fun cruise through the cliffs to wild Class III-IV rapids with big waves, big drops, and extensive whitewater. Whitewater enthusiasts will find never-ending thrills on famous wild waters like Screaming Left, House Rock, and Mad Mile. For the wildest whitewater rafting experience, the Gallatin River reaches its peak flow in June with spring runoff.

If you prefer your feet on the ground, the Gallatin River is best explored on the riverside hiking and biking trails. There are endless trailheads along US191 accessing the Gallatin River. Our favorites are the Ousel Falls Trail, a short, stunning hike from the heart of Big Sky, and the Gallatin Riverside Trail which follows the river from the Lava Lake trailhead near Big Sky to Storm Castle Creek, an easy 5.5-mile round trip along the Gallatin River. Big Sky is bear country! Always carry bear spray and be on the lookout for our local wildlife sharing the trails.

During your stay in Big Sky, you can even experience the Gallatin River on horseback! The Original Paddle and Saddle Tour with Geyser Whitewater Expeditions includes a two-hour trail ride through the mountains followed by an afternoon of river running the Gallatin River. Saddle up for another unique outdoor adventure in Big Sky, MT.  

Take your Gallatin River flyfishing experience to the next level with Gallatin River Guides in Big Sky, MT. Serving visitors to the Gallatin Canyon for over 30 years, Gallatin River Guides know when, where, and how to fish our world-class blue-ribbon trout waters and offer a wide variety of professionally guided fly fishing trips for every angler, year-round! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, you’ll find a fly fishing experience with Gallatin River Guides. Choose from flyfishing lessons, half-day and full-day walking & wading trips, full-day floats, three rivers in three days, or a flyfishing package customized just for you and your crew!

Gallatin River Trip Options
Winter Fishing Trips
Family Fishing Trips
Half-day & Full-day Walking & Wading Fly Fishing Trips
Duration: 1-hour to 8-hour trips 

Geyser Whitewater Expeditions are the local whitewater experts for rafting trips on the Gallatin River departing from Big Sky, MT.  Situated minutes from Big Sky, Geyser Whitewater Expeditions offers half-day and full-day trips on the gentle sections of the upper Gallatin Canyon and the raging rapids in the lower whitewater. 

Geyser Whitewater Expeditions also offer great combo packages like the Rafting & Zipline Adventure Park and the Rafting & Horseback Adventure. The Yellowstone Pass is another great value package for families with Gallatin River whitewater rafting, a pass to Zipline Adventure Park, unlimited entry to the climbing wall, savings on Yellowstone Park tours, and unlimited boat rentals at Big Sky’s Lake Levinsky. 

Gallatin River Trip Options
Half-day Gallatin River Rafting Adventures
Full-day Gallatin River Rafting Trips
Daily Kayaking Trips on the Gallatin River
Whitewater Rafting & Zipline Package
Saddle & Paddle – Horseback Riding & Rafting Package
Duration: 3-hour to 7-hour trips