406.995.4989  -  Celebrating 28 years of Gallatin River Adventures...!

Frequently asked questions about whitewater rafting, horseback riding and ziplining in Big Sky, Montana near Yellowstone

Gallatin River Rafting and Zipline FAQ

  • All participants are solely responsible for reserving a rafting trip appropriate for the group.
  • All participants must meet minimum age qualifications.
  • We are not able to verify or test your fitness or ability to participate in any of our adventures.
  • The Lower Whitewater may contain Class IV whitewater.  It is the participant's responsibility to understand the different classes of whitewater.
  • Minimum age restrictions vary with water levels.  Please call for age restrictions. 406.995.4989
  • Open May to September
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Arrival Time
At the time listed, being early is not necessary.

What to Wear: We will recommend renting a wetsuit ($4) and booties ($4) when we think it is advised. We also recommend bringing a pair of shorts or a bathing suit and a T- shirt. Secure footwear you don't mind getting wet,  if not renting booties. Footwear should be secure, NO flip flops or crocs. Always bring a long sleeve fleece or sweatshirt to wear on the river if available. Also, bring dry clothes for after. We have nice changing rooms and storage for your belongings.

Bring long pants, and closed toe shoes. No shorts, sandals etc.  A rain jacket or wind breaker is a good idea. Helmets are available.

Wear secure footwear, no sandals.  Shorts are ok but pants are recommended.  A t shirt and lightweight jacket in case it is cooler
​

Where are we located? (see map here)
We are located in Big Sky, Montana. Our facility is on Highway 191 on the west side of the HWY, 1.5 miles South of the stop light in Big Sky. 46.5 miles north of West Yellowstone. 39 miles south of Bozeman.

How and when to make a reservation?
You can reserve online here or call us at 406.995.4989. We can accept reservations anytime, even the same day of the trip typically.

Photos
Crystal Images, a professional photo company will take up to 50 photos of each rafting trip.  A fun slideshow will be available for you at the end of the trip. Photos can be purchased as prints or digitally, starting at $29.   See your Photos Here

Cancellation policy
We need a 24 hour notice for small groups, 48 hours for groups 10+.   A 50% fee is charged for same day cancellations, reschedules and no shows....If you purchase the optional Cancellation Insurance then Rafting Trips can be rescheduled or cancelled at any time for any reason.
Cancellation Insurance can be purchased here.

Eligibility
Prior to departure participants must sign an assumption of risk agreement, release of liability and a disclosure of medical history. All participants must fit properly into our Personal Flotation Device(52” torso or smaller); Participants must not be under the influence of mind altering drugs or alcohol. Participants are solely responsible for choosing a rafting trip appropriate for themselves and their group.All participants are solely responsible for reserving a rafting trip appropriate for the group. We are not able to verify or test your fitness or ability to participate in any of our adventures. It is the participant's responsibility to understand the different classes of whitewater.
Minimum age restrictions vary with water levels.  Please call for age restrictions. 406.995.4989

Pregnancy
We are sorry but pregnant women are not permitted on river trips.

Adaptive Trips
No problem, give us a call and we can discuss the circumstances and options

Ages
Certain trips may have age restrictions at different times of the year.  Generally the minimum age is 6.  Age restrictions change daily with the water flows, please call for current restrictions.

What is our season of operation?
We are open on May 1st and close early September depending on weather and water conditions.

Kayaking
Kayaking trips begin after the July 4th weekend.  You will typically arrive at 10:00 or 2:00 and they take 3 hours round trip.. Kayaking trips are intended for athletic individuals with good swimming skills.

Half Day Raft Trips
Half day trips depart nearly every hour throughout the day.  Half day rafting trips are on the river about 2 hours but take 3 hours round trip from our facility.

Full Day Raft Trip
Show up at 9:30 and we will depart at 10 a.m. and return around 4 p.m.  Full Day trips include lunch and drinks on the river.  

Parking
There is ample parking for campers and RV's on our property.

Other:
  • Participation in any of our activities is at your own risk.  Participants are solely responsible for choosing a rafting trip appropriate for themselves and their group.
  ​​
  • Professional photos will be taken during your trip and can be viewed after the trip.
  • Sunglass straps are highly recommended for your glasses on all river trips and can be purchased at the front desk.
  • Disposable water proof cameras are available for purchase.
  • If it's not water proof, please don't bring it on the river.
  • Plastic bottles of water can be brought on the river trip and can be purchased at the front desk.
  • The changing rooms have non-locking storage bins for your clothes during the rafting trip.  Valuables can be locked in your vehicle and keys checked at the front desk.
  • Snacks and drinks are available at Geyser Whitewater.
  • Changing rooms and restrooms are available.
  • Adequate camper and RV parking is available.
  • Dogs - Typically a shady spot can be found to protect your dog from the heat in the car. We do have a shaded kennel area for your use as well.
  • Service dogs can do our scenic floats but are not permitted on whitewater trips.
  • We do not sell towels, most people don't bring them or use them but if you would like to, you can bring them and leave them in our storage bins
  • We can easily reserve other activities such as Zipline Adventures, Bike Rentals, Horseback Riding, Yellowstone Park Tours and more at no cost to you.
  • We offer 3 options for Zipline Adventures.  2 of them are located at the Big Sky Resort.  The other is in West Yellowstone.   The Zipline Adventure Park in West Yellowstone is the regions most popular because it is budget friendly, self navigating and open from 9 a.m. to  9 p.m. www.yellowstoneparkzipline.com
  • All of our rafting trips meet at the Geyser Whitewater Building in Big Sky and we will handle the transportation to and from the river.
  • There is no cell service, satellite or radio communications available on the rafting trips.
  • Water temperatures range from approximately 42F in May to 60F in late July and August.
Watch this video on What to Wear for a Gallatin River Rafting trip in Big Sky, Montana!
Where are we located?
Where are we located? (see map here)
We are located in Big Sky, Montana. Our facility is on Highway 191 on the west side of the HWY, 1.5 miles South of the stop light in Big Sky. 46.5 miles north of West Yellowstone. 39 miles south of Bozeman.
How and when to make a reservation?
You can reserve online here or call us at 406.995.4989. We can accept reservations anytime, even the same day of the trip typically.
Photos
Crystal Images, a professional photo company will take up to 50 photos of each rafting trip.  A fun slideshow will be available for you at the end of the trip. Photos can be purchased as prints or digitally, starting at $29.   See your Photos Here
Cancellation policy
We need a 24 hour notice for small groups, 48 hours for groups 10+.   A 50% fee is charged for same day cancellations, reschedules and no shows....If you purchase the optional Cancellation Insurance then Rafting Trips can be rescheduled or cancelled at any time for any reason.
Cancellation Insurance can be purchased here.
Participation Eligibility
​Prior to departure participants must sign an assumption of risk agreement, release of liability and a disclosure of medical history. All participants must fit properly into our Personal Flotation Device(52” torso or smaller); Participants must not be under the influence of mind altering drugs or alcohol. Participants are solely responsible for choosing a rafting trip appropriate for themselves and their group.All participants are solely responsible for reserving a rafting trip appropriate for the group. We are not able to verify or test your fitness or ability to participate in any of our adventures. It is the participant's responsibility to understand the different classes of whitewater.
Minimum age restrictions vary with water levels.  Please call for age restrictions. 406.995.4989
Pregnancy
We are sorry but pregnant women are not permitted on river trips.
Adaptive Trips
No problem, give us a call and we can discuss the circumstances and options
What ages can go Rafting
Certain trips may have age restrictions at different times of the year. Generally the minimum age is 6.  Age restrictions change daily with the water flows, please call for current restrictions.
​
What is our season of operation?
We are open on May 1st and close early September depending on weather and water conditions.
​Kayaking Trips on the Gallatin
Kayaking trips begin after the July 4th weekend.  You will typically arrive at 10:00 or 2:00 and they take 3 hours round trip.. Kayaking trips are intended for athletic individuals with good swimming skills.
​Half Day Raft Trips
Half day trips depart nearly every hour throughout the day. Half day rafting trips are on the river about 2 hours but take 3 hours round trip from our facility.
​Full Day Raft Trip
Show up at 9:30 and we will depart at 10 a.m. and return around 4 p.m.  Full Day trips include lunch and drinks on the river. 
Parking
There is ample parking for campers and RV's on our property.
Should I wear sunglasses
Most days wearing sunglasses will be more comfortable.  ​
  • Expensive sunglasses or prescriptions should have retainer straps on them. Straps are highly recommended for your glasses on all river trips and can be purchased at the front desk. $7
I have a dog or a Service Dog
​
  • Dogs - Typically a shady spot can be found to protect your dog from the heat in the car. We do have a shaded kennel area for your use as well.
  • Service dogs can do our scenic floats but are not permitted on whitewater trips.
What do I do with my valuables and car keys
​Our changing rooms have non-locking storage bins for your clothes during the rafting trip.  Valuables can be locked in your vehicle and your car keys can be checked at the front desk.
What if I get Hungry?  Do you have food?
We have snacks and drinks available at Geyser Whitewater.
Do i need or do you sell Towels?
We typically have a small number of towels for purchase at a reasonable price.  Most people don't bring them or use them but if you would like to, you can bring them and leave them in our storage bins
do you have changing rooms or restrooms?
Changing rooms and restrooms are available.
What is the Temperature of the water?
In the Spring and early summer the water will be about 42f.  As the summer continues the water may warm up in to the low 60f.
should I bring my Cell phone?
Although there is no cell access where we raft, you may want to bring a phone for candid photos.