Whitewater rafting on the Gallatin River, near Big Sky with Geyser Whitewater Expeditions! House Rock rapid is one of the most fun places on the main whitewater stretch on the Gallatin River. It is near the beginning of the section of river known as the "Mad Mile." This stretch is so named because the rapids are closely spaced and require plenty of maneuvering to navigate smoothly.

You can get a great view of the rapid from the road. It's a popular place for people to stop and watch the rafters and kayakers go through. If you are driving through Gallatin Canyon on your way to Bozeman or Yellowstone be sure to stop and check it out. 

Contact Geyser Whitewater Expeditions for more info on any rafting, zipline and horseback packages.

At Geyser Whitewater Expeditions we have most of the gear you will need for a raft trip.  Wetsuits and booties can be rented and we will have a nylon rafting, life jacket and helmet for everyone. If you didn't plan ahead to go rafting, no worries, we have you covered.  If you are a planner, a couple of essentials from home may add to your experience though.  We will keep it simple:

Bring a fleece jacket - We will wear this underneath a wetsuit on cooler days.
Bring a pair of non-cotton socks.  Ski socks or a wool sock works great.  Although not required it will add a nice touch of comfort.
Bring a dry change of clothes.  A warm sweatshirt goes a long way after a raft trip, even on a warm day.
Water - We have water you can buy if you don't have any handy.  Feel free to bring it in the boat with you.
Sunscreen.
Sunglass straps, disposable cameras and plenty of fun souvenirs are available for purchase in our shop.

The Gallatin River in Big Sky, Montana is probably the best rafting in Montana and the Yellowstone Region.  We hope you can join us!

​http://www.raftmontana.com

​For many visitors, a whitewater adventure on the Gallatin River is the highlight of a Yellowstone Vacation but its often hard to figure out all the details when searching online back home.  Fear not, we're tourists too sometimes, so we know there's a lot of information out there when you are planning a trip.  Sometimes so much so it muddles the picture and hard to figure out what to do with precious vacation time. We thought it would be helpful to take a moment to answer some of the questions our guests commonly ask and maybe help you decide which trip to book.
​

​Here are some questions to think about when deciding what trip is good for your group.

Does the group want exciting whitewater, introductory whitewater or maybe everyone just wants to kick back and relax on our Grand Scenic Tour?

We use three sections of river:

• The Lower Whitewater Trip which includes the Mad Mile.
• The Upper Whitewater, a fun class II and III section of river that is less technical then the Lower.
• The third section is upstream of Big Sky, Montana and is a fantastic scenic float featuring great scenery.

Do you have kids and what are their ages?
Generally we have trips for kids 6 and older.

What time of the year will you be rafting?

May and June-
This tim of the year can be high water, creating some of the largest rapids of the year on the river. The rapids have higher volume wave trains from class II to IV.

• During this time younger families and those looking for splashy fun but not necessarily the roughest whitewater should be looking at the Upper Whitewater trip.
• Adventurous groups of adults or older teens looking for the most thrills should book the Lower Whitewater.
• Scenic floats are available daily for anyone 6 and older.

July - September -
The river starts getting lower and a bit slower offering fun Class II and III whitewater.

• Our minimum age starts to drop for the Lower Whitewater as the river goes down.  By mid July the Lower becomes a super fun class III trip that is great for families and provides plenty of action for seasoned rafters.  As they say "there's never a bad day on the river."
• The Upper Whitewater will become an introductory class I-III rafting trip as the summer  goes on.  A great first time trip for young families.
• Of course one of our favorite trips the Scenic Float, is always available until mid-August usually.

Gallatin River Rafting trips meet in Big Sky, Montana.  This is the most convenient rafting for those visiting Yellowstone Park, West Yellowstone, Big Sky and Bozeman.

Our vacation packages include any combination of the following:

• Discounted Lodging
• Rafting
• Zipline Adventures
• Horseback Riding
• Yellowstone Itineraries
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Mountain Bike riding
• Lake SUP and boat rentals
• Scenic Chairlift/tram rides
• Imax
• Grizzly Wolf and Discovery Center
• Discounts on local dining, shopping and activities.

Feel free to contact us anytime if you have questions.  We look forward to meeting you!

​406.994.4989












 

They are calling it "March Madness" around here in Yellowstone country but we're not talking hoops.  March Madness refers to the amount of snowfall we are getting this Spring.  As I write this, Yellowstone and Big Sky Resort have had 11 out of 15 days of snow!  It's welcome around here though, the snow pack provides great whitewater rafting conditions all summer long and helps to keep the forest fires away later in the summer.  Our snowpack for the season has catapulted to 107% of average thus far this season.
We are eagerly awaiting the opening of rafting season in the Yellowstone region, we will start running trips on the Gallatin River near Big Sky, Montana in early May and will be in the full swing of things for the Memorial Day Weekend.
The phones are going off the hook with visitors planning their summer vacation to Yellowstone and Big Sky Resort.  I love talking to guests about their plans and being able suggest fun itineraries, activities and lodging advise. Just this morning we saved a family over $500 for a week of Yellowstone lodging, ziplining, rafting and horseback rides.  If you need advise too, don't hesitate to call. 406-995-4989
This is a great place to start your Yellowstone and Big Sky Resort travel planning, start clicking on the links to the right and read some of the blog posts to help you with your Yellowstone summer vacation planning.

The Yellowstone EPIC Pass was a new package for us this year and the awesome benefits it offers quickly became our most popular package.  Hands down the best deal for rafting and zipline adventures in Big Sky and West Yellowstone Montana, near Yellowstone Park.  Families appreciate the benefits around town on shopping and dining and all the free items that are included make this the ultimate family deal.  Check it out on our website here and call if you have any questions.

Summit the 11,000 foot Lone Peak! One of our favorite activities in Big Sky, Montana, the Lone Peak Expedition takes you to the top of Lone Peak via Safari trucks and a Tram ride to the summit.  These trips depart daily but book up fast, so plan ahead if you are thinking about this.  Call us today for details, Yellowstone Epic Pass members save 10%... 800.914.9031

320 Ranch

When dining in Montana, Cowboy cuisine is a must try. The 320 Ranch offers a unique dining experience, tucked away in the mountains—perfect for a romantic evening or a family memory.  

The 320 Steakhouse and Saloon offers Montana cowboy cuisine featuring steaks and wild game along with a thoughtfully-selected wine list. You can meet up in historic saloon for a local brew or a cocktail while you play a game of pool or you can sit on our creek side deck and enjoy the final bit of sunshine for the day.

The ranch also offers a Pig Roast every Monday night starting in June 8th, during the summer months on the deck from 5-8pm. It’s open to the public and it’s on a first-come, first serve basis. For $15/person you get tons of fun and tons of food: slow-roasted pulled pork sandwiches with a choice of two mouth-watering sides, beer on tap from a Montana Brewery and toe-tapping music by one of our local musicians. It’s all happening on the outdoor deck, right next to the restaurant overlooking the mountain vistas and the Buffalo Horn Creek.


BBQ and Wagon Rides:
There’s nothing better than a summer dinner by the river, the smell of sizzling steaks wafting through the air—no wonder this is one of our most popular events! Starting June 10th, every Wednesday evening during the summer the ranch invites you to take a 2-hour horseback or wagon ride to dinner. On the menu is your choice of N.Y. strip steak or barbecued chicken, prepared on an open grill along the banks of the Gallatin River.

 
Riverhouse
The Gallatin Riverhouse Grill is a full service BBQ, grill, and saloon, operating seven days a week, 3:00 pm to close, through the Summer and Winter seasons. It is family friendly, affordable, and easily accessible to Big Sky visitors, locals, and tourists traveling highway 191 to the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

 The BBQ/grill features in-house smoked meat products, including: pork ribs, beef ribs, brisket, pork, chicken, turkey and salmon. Additional grill food will include beef and turkey burgers, Monster Beef sandwich, flank steak sandwich, appetizers and salads. In addition, the menu has alternative meals for specialized diets, children and the vegetarian minded. Saloon and Restaurant guests have the opportunity to sample the full menu, while enjoying a wide variety of tap and bottled beers, spirits, specialty drinks, and wines.


The goal at “The Riverhouse” is to serve delicious food and drink and provide an exceptional and unforgettable experience, all at a reasonable price.


Olive B’s

Continental offerings include roast duck, Asian calamari, French onion soup, fresh fish/seafood, steak and game, as well as nightly features.  Well known for excellent service and impeccably prepared food, this is a must visit. With an upscale menu and charming atmosphere, Olive B’s is perfect for an evening out. They carry a noteworthy wine list and hand-crafted cocktails, while also providing a world class view of Lone Peak.

Andiamos

From hearty soups and salads to delicious and thoughtfully prepared pastas and entrees, Andiamo features a whole range of tasty Italian treats. Located on the main level of the Big Sky Resort Mountain Village Center, Andiamo Italian Grille offers a fun and romantic atmosphere with an authentic Italian feel. Come warm yourselves with some appetizers and spirits and enjoy one of the happy hour specials 3:30-5:30 PM or slip into a fun filled evening with some fine Italian cuisine served from 5:30 - 10:00 PM. Reservations are suggested.


Ousel and Spur

Fresh house made sauces, hand tossed crust, and fresh vegetables from Montana farms...these are just a few of the things that make this pizza unique and delicious.

And they are so much more than great pizza. With a wide selection of authentic Italian pasta dishes, creative appetizers, delectable desserts and eye-opening coffees, you are sure to find something to tempt your palate. Choose from a diverse menu of classic and specialty gourmet pizzas with toppings including Montana favorites like elk sausage. Pizzas can be made gluten free, and all dishes have a vegetarian option. A family establishment, children are welcome at Ousel and Spur. The “Bambinos” menu includes cheese or pepperoni pizza, mac & cheese, and spaghetti.

The Ousel Mantra: Eat pizza. Drink wine. Enjoy life!


The Broke Oar
Most often mentioned for the easy going atmosphere and great tacos, the Broke Oar is nestled directly beside Geyser Whitewater. Picnic style dining, with fantastic mountain views accommodate families who need space to roam, and travelers of all ages. Perfect stop for rafters, bikers and hikers. 

When traveling to a new place with a family, the biggest question (after figuring where to best adventure with your favorite people) is “What’s here for the kids?” Granted, while Montana is best known for grizzly bears and big mountains full of snow, Big Sky fills up with a plethora of family friendly treats. Luckily, we've got a fantastic five set up for you right here.

5. Thanks to the Big Sky Arts Council, every Thursday night the meadow opens up the lawn for its free Music in the Mountains series. The kids can dance, you can sip a frosty beverage of choice and just let barefoot, easy, breezy summer happen.

Full Schedule of Bands

4. Bike Rentals.  Big Sky is home to some of the most diverse biking trails in the area. One path meanders around town center, heads to the playground and back around. Ousel Falls is bikable, as well as the Porcupine Loop near Geyser Whitewater.  The Hummocks and Upland trails opened this year, and cater to an older or more experienced family of bipeds. Regardless of how your family likes to pedal,  bikes can be rented at Geyser. Bike rentals are also available at Grizzly Outfitters, but typically they cater to the more advanced bikers.

3. If you have a particularly social brand of child, Big Sky Resort offers Kid’s Club every day Monday- Friday from 4:00-6:00pm. With events like Mask Making Mondays, Goopy Oobleck Thursdays and Free Spirit Fridays, the kids are set up for an afternoon of chaperoned childhood perfection.

2. If hiking is your name, and your family is game the Ousel Falls Trail is a meandering  1.7 mile walk through pines, beside the water and ending at the impressive Ousel Falls. This hike was rated the Number One hike in Big Sky, and it stays true to its reputation. If you’re lucky you’ll catch a sneak peak at an elk or a brave kayaker taking the plunge. This trail can also be biked, although the final hill is more happily walked by little legs.

1. If your family is full of adventure and movement, Geyser Whitewater is right down the hill. They offer packages with Big Sky Resort, horseback riding with Canyon Adventures and the Zipline Adventure Park in West Yellowstone. The rafting trips vary in excitement from a relaxing scenic float to a rip-roaring adventure down the Gallatin River’s mad mile.


Lake Levinsky is also around for boating of the mellow variety. The Family Adventure Pass lets a family of four have unlimited access to the marina for a week. Canoes, paddle boats, stand up paddleboards, and kayaks (oh my).

Bonus Activity. For an extra treat, Sugar Buzz is our newest meadow business to pop up. And it’s a full service candy and ice cream bonanza. Be warned, the sugar heaven that awaits you in there is tempting to even the most seasoned sweet tooth.

If your family is into climbing, hiking, swinging, boating, laughing or music—have no fear—bring them to Big Sky and let the wild run free.