Bigfork Outdoor Rentals
Kayaking business nearby (~44 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet
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Montana
Spotted Bear River
Conditions: Caution
for canoeing, todayAgency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good
2 factors · 2 sources
Newest 1 h ago · oldest 2 h
caution: Agency alerts
9 active alerts in Flathead National Forest; most severe: Camp Creek Fire Updated Trail Closure
USFSPosted Sep 11 · checked 2 h ago
clear: Weather
Clear, high 52°F / low 39°F, 0% precip — 99/100 for canoeing
OpenWeather1 h ago
Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.
Why you'll love it
4.9 mi run
Flows year-round
431 cfs avg flow
River facts
- Water
- Flows year-round
- Average flow
- 431 cfs
- Average current
- 1.2 ft/s
- Gradient
- 138.2 ft/mi
- Drainage area
- 171 sq mi
Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.
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Spotted Bear River
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More about this water ↓
Photos
Directions & GPX
Permits & access
- Managing agency
- Forest Service
About this water
Spotted Bear River is a 4.9-mile paddling stretch near Essex, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 431 cfs and a gradient of about 138.2 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive
Photo: Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)South Fork Flathead River
~19 min drive
South Fork Flathead River is a 0.3-mile paddling stretch near Essex, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 2,174 cfs. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Crossover Boat Ramp
~40 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Montana.
Swan Lake Campground
~55 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Montana.
Photo: US Geological Survey, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)Middle Fork Flathead River
~23 min drive
Middle Fork Flathead River is a 2.3-mile paddling stretch near Essex, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 167 cfs and a gradient of about 45.6 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Gibson Boating Site
~42 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Montana.
Photo: Qfl247 (Transferred by Citypeek/Original uploaded by Qfl247), CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Sun River
~41 min drive
Sun River is a 0.1-mile paddling stretch near Augusta, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 894 cfs. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Home Gulch Boat Launch
~44 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Montana.
Photo: USFWS, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)Swan River
~1h 3m drive
Swan River is a 22-mile paddling stretch near Condon, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 439 cfs and a gradient of about 102.9 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Swan Lake Boating Site
~55 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Montana.
Photo: Bswc blackfootchallenge, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Clearwater River
~1h 9m drive
Clearwater River is a 13-mile paddling stretch near Seeley Lake, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 406 cfs and a gradient of about 46.0 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Guided trips nearby
Local operators near Essexoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.
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