River Trips in Alberton Gorge, Montana

The Alberton Gorge is one of western Montana’s many gems. The gorge cups the Clark Fork River, a scenic waterway that winds through incredible scenery, including wide expanses of prairie, forests and farmland. The steep pink cliffs of Alberton Gorge are one of many highlights.

The river also churns whitewater that is accessible for much of the year, except during extremely cold winter days when ice forms. Still, that leaves plenty of days for rafting and kayaking. In addition to the scenery, river trip participants can expect to see bald eagles, deer, beavers, elk, otters, osprey and — if you’re lucky — a black bear.

Most rapids range from class II to class IV, with rapids downgraded a level during low water. That means plenty of big waves for excitement and a few slightly tricky maneuvers to keep things interesting. The river is easily accessible from Missoula, 30 miles east, if you’re interested in spending a full or half day exploring the river.

A handful of companies operate commercial river trips through the area, including Western Waters, ROW Adventures and Montana River Guides. Each offers a range of trips to best suit your interests.