West Fork Bitterroot River

Darby, Montana

Caution todayMontana
Caution today

Free — you'll pick up right here.

Conditions: Caution

for canoeing, today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good

2 factors · 2 sources

Newest 12 h ago · oldest 13 h

  • caution: Agency alerts

    3 active alerts in Bitterroot National Forest; most severe: Two Prescribed Burns Planned for the week of Oct. 5 - Piquett Creek & Cameron Gap

    USFSPosted Oct 2 · checked 13 h ago

  • clear: Weather

    Clouds, high 69°F / low 38°F, 0% precip — 90/100 for canoeing

    OpenWeather12 h ago

Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.

Why you'll love it

16.8 mi run
Flows year-round
299 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Flows year-round
Average flow
299 cfs
Average current
1.4 ft/s
Gradient
121.7 ft/mi
Drainage area
225 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

Here's your day on the water, mapped

West Fork Bitterroot River

Suggested plan · check conditions before you go

Building your full AI plan…
More about this water ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

Get Directions

Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

West Fork Bitterroot River is a 17-mile paddling stretch near Darby, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 299 cfs and a gradient of about 121.7 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Facts about this water

When to go

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Wisdom, MT weather station, 42 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan26° high3° low
  2. Feb29° high3° low
  3. Mar39° high12° low
  4. Apr49° high21° low
  5. May59° high28° low
  6. Jun67° high35° low
  7. Jul78° high38° low
  8. Aug77° high34° low
  9. Sep68° high28° low
  10. Oct53° high21° low
  11. Nov36° high10° low
  12. Dec25° high3° low

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Bitterroot National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

Add to a trip & share

Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Selway RiverPhoto: U.S. Forest Service, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Selway River

~34 min drive

Selway River is a 20-mile paddling stretch near Dixie, Idaho. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 337 cfs and a gradient of about 120.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Slate Creek Bay Boating Site

~14 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

Rombo

~22 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

Hughes Creek

~11 min drive

Hughes Creek is a 16-mile paddling stretch near Darby, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 77 cfs and a gradient of about 96.0 feet per mile.

Little Boulder Bay Boat Launch

~16 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

Spring Gulch

~41 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

Nez Perce Fork

~22 min drive

Nez Perce Fork is a 11-mile paddling stretch near Darby, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 136 cfs and a gradient of about 64.2 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Spring Creek Boat Ramp

~23 min drive

Spring Creek Boat Ramp is a boat launch in Idaho.

Cache Bar Boat Ramp

~41 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Idaho.

North Fork Salmon River

~29 min drive

North Fork Salmon River is a 23-mile paddling stretch near Gibbonsville, Idaho. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 162 cfs and a gradient of about 113.2 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.