It starts with three rivers...
Very often rafting is the highlight of any vacation to Yellowstone. This is in part because of the three great rivers that run through the national park’s ecosystem. The Gallatin, Snake, and Yellowstone Rivers along with their many tributaries are the heart pumping pathways of this magical environment. They course through some of the most beautiful parts of the park and surrounding valleys. There vital place in this ecosystem makes them centers of geologic history, organic prosperity, wildlife activity, and exploratory travel.
Different river characteristics make for a different experience
You may have experienced the feeling of navigating a rubber raft downhill among, waves, obstacles, and river features while riding an always moving current of last years snow pack before, or you may just think it sounds fun. Regardless, you have some options when vacationing to Yellowstone. As you have no doubt seen and experienced, rivers can vary greatly in their characteristics. Some can be wide, shallow, and meandering like, for example, the large Mississippi, Missouri, and Columbia rivers are, for much of their lengths. Since Yellowstone is so close to the continental divide, area rivers are generally much lower in volume, offer more gradient, and consist of more obstacles than these more eroded cousins.
Gallatin River
RiverGradient +++++
Volume ++
Obstacles +++++
Run Quality: Great
The Gallatin River is the least eroded of the Yellowstone rafting rivers. It’s position in the narrow Gallatin Canyon leaves it loaded with great features that make it not only one of the most popular rivers for whitewater rafting enthusiasts, but also for kayakers and fishermen. Its steep gradient means that there are many places on the river where the water pools up and passes quickly between large boulders and steep banks. It also provides one stretch of the river, often called the “Mad Mile,” where rapids are virtually continuous. The nature of the Gallatin Valley also means that the Gallatin River is relatively low in water volume with many large boulders -- making obstacles that your guide and you will maneuver around in the water. Overall this river’s high gradient, low volume, and many obstacles create a fun and exciting rafting environment that is great for experienced rafters and their families too!
Yellowstone River
Gradient ++
Volume ++++
Obstacles ++
Run Quality: Fair
The Yellowstone River is one of the larger meandering rivers in the area. It’s headwaters reside inside the national park, the section of the river inside the park offers more gradient, less volume and more obstacles. This would make for a great whitewater adventure, however Yellowstone National Park is the only park in the nation where it is not legal to access the rivers inside the park to float for any reason. Outside the park is a different story! Beginning in the town of Gardiner, MT the Yellowstone River begins to slow down as it hits the wide open Paradise Valley and offers shorter sections of rapids separated by large slow pools of water. The waves found in these rapids can get your whole boat wet, but may leave you wanting more.
Snake River
Gradient ++++
Volume +++++
Obstacles ++
Run Quality: Good
The Snake River, like the Yellowstone is a relatively high volume river. Unlike the Yellowstone it begins meandering through the wide open expanse of Teton Valley before it regroups and flows through the steeper Alpine Canyon. This gives the run a fair amount of gradient as it goes through the canyon. There are some good quality rapids on the run that can get your boat wet or maybe even flip it over! The large amount of water that flows through the canyon means that it is pretty well eroded and most of the obstacles are cleared out, leaving your raft crew with little to do. Just make sure your guide can keep you in the middle of the river and point you at the waves!
You will have a great time on the river! But we can help!!
No matter which Yellowstone whitewater rafting trip you go on, you are sure to have a great time! You can’t go wrong in such an amazing place as long as you respect the river, listen to your professional guide and make sure to smile when you get your picture taken!
If you have any further questions about how to book a raft trip, or have more questions about the river options and stretches that would be the most fun for your group, feel free to give us a call at: 406-995-4989 or email at whitewater@raftmontana.com. Our passionate river staff will be glad to help.
More about us:
Facebook
Youtube
Yellowstone Aerial Adventuers
Geyser Whitewater Expeditions
Very often rafting is the highlight of any vacation to Yellowstone. This is in part because of the three great rivers that run through the national park’s ecosystem. The Gallatin, Snake, and Yellowstone Rivers along with their many tributaries are the heart pumping pathways of this magical environment. They course through some of the most beautiful parts of the park and surrounding valleys. There vital place in this ecosystem makes them centers of geologic history, organic prosperity, wildlife activity, and exploratory travel.
Different river characteristics make for a different experience
You may have experienced the feeling of navigating a rubber raft downhill among, waves, obstacles, and river features while riding an always moving current of last years snow pack before, or you may just think it sounds fun. Regardless, you have some options when vacationing to Yellowstone. As you have no doubt seen and experienced, rivers can vary greatly in their characteristics. Some can be wide, shallow, and meandering like, for example, the large Mississippi, Missouri, and Columbia rivers are, for much of their lengths. Since Yellowstone is so close to the continental divide, area rivers are generally much lower in volume, offer more gradient, and consist of more obstacles than these more eroded cousins.
Gallatin River
RiverGradient +++++
Volume ++
Obstacles +++++
Run Quality: Great
The Gallatin River is the least eroded of the Yellowstone rafting rivers. It’s position in the narrow Gallatin Canyon leaves it loaded with great features that make it not only one of the most popular rivers for whitewater rafting enthusiasts, but also for kayakers and fishermen. Its steep gradient means that there are many places on the river where the water pools up and passes quickly between large boulders and steep banks. It also provides one stretch of the river, often called the “Mad Mile,” where rapids are virtually continuous. The nature of the Gallatin Valley also means that the Gallatin River is relatively low in water volume with many large boulders -- making obstacles that your guide and you will maneuver around in the water. Overall this river’s high gradient, low volume, and many obstacles create a fun and exciting rafting environment that is great for experienced rafters and their families too!
Yellowstone River
Gradient ++
Volume ++++
Obstacles ++
Run Quality: Fair
The Yellowstone River is one of the larger meandering rivers in the area. It’s headwaters reside inside the national park, the section of the river inside the park offers more gradient, less volume and more obstacles. This would make for a great whitewater adventure, however Yellowstone National Park is the only park in the nation where it is not legal to access the rivers inside the park to float for any reason. Outside the park is a different story! Beginning in the town of Gardiner, MT the Yellowstone River begins to slow down as it hits the wide open Paradise Valley and offers shorter sections of rapids separated by large slow pools of water. The waves found in these rapids can get your whole boat wet, but may leave you wanting more.
Snake River
Gradient ++++
Volume +++++
Obstacles ++
Run Quality: Good
The Snake River, like the Yellowstone is a relatively high volume river. Unlike the Yellowstone it begins meandering through the wide open expanse of Teton Valley before it regroups and flows through the steeper Alpine Canyon. This gives the run a fair amount of gradient as it goes through the canyon. There are some good quality rapids on the run that can get your boat wet or maybe even flip it over! The large amount of water that flows through the canyon means that it is pretty well eroded and most of the obstacles are cleared out, leaving your raft crew with little to do. Just make sure your guide can keep you in the middle of the river and point you at the waves!
You will have a great time on the river! But we can help!!
No matter which Yellowstone whitewater rafting trip you go on, you are sure to have a great time! You can’t go wrong in such an amazing place as long as you respect the river, listen to your professional guide and make sure to smile when you get your picture taken!
If you have any further questions about how to book a raft trip, or have more questions about the river options and stretches that would be the most fun for your group, feel free to give us a call at: 406-995-4989 or email at whitewater@raftmontana.com. Our passionate river staff will be glad to help.
More about us:
Youtube
Yellowstone Aerial Adventuers
Geyser Whitewater Expeditions
