Blackfoot River (Montana)

The Blackfoot River rises near the Continental Divide in Montana’s Rocky Mountains close to the town of Lincoln and flows westward for more than 130 miles through dense forests, open meadows and dramatic rock canyons before joining the Clark Fork River east of Missoula. Shaped by the immense Missoula Floods of the Ice Age, its course traverses varied terrain of steep canyon walls, deep emerald pools and gravelly banks while descending more than 3,000 feet. Crystal-clear cold waters invite fly fishing for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, while stretches of gentle to moderate rapids offer excellent opportunities for rafting, kayaking and leisurely tubing. Campers discover secluded riverside sites, and nature enthusiasts can observe elk, eagles and other wildlife in this pristine mountain setting.