Introducing The River Pub, a new way to experience the river through Missoula, pub style! Comfortable seating, with a wood bar table top. Relax under the canopy while your guide does the rowing. The River Pub can be chartered for any event, gather your friends and bring along a growler of your favorite Missoula craft beer or beverage. Take the River Pub to an event downtown, Osprey Game or Concert. Have your event catered by one of the many Missoula’s restaurants or guest chef, the possibilities are endless.
Want a new venue for your next business lunch? Have lunch catered, enjoy the scenery of Hellgate Canyon and privacy of the River Pub.
Prefer the quiet morning light and bird watching? We are teaming up with Drum coffee or your favorite bakery to offer morning trips with their delicious brew and unique sandwiches and pastries.
River Pub Missoula Town float
May – September (limited during high water)
- Float through town with Pub Style Seating!
- Departure times 11am and 4pm OR custom departure times.
- We meet at headquarters at 912 E Broadway OR your choice of lodging or brewery or other.
- We can provide meat & cheese trays, classic deli lunch or other local food – let us know!
- Custom departure times and catering are available, let us know about your event we can make suggestions.
- Exact trip duration will depend on water flow, put-in & take-out and number of stops, 2-4 hours
River Pub Charter is available for $520
Capacity is 10-12 guests and includes guides and shuttle transportation. Private charter is the most common way to book the River Pub.
Missoula Town Floats
Flowing through the heart of Missoula, MT, the Clark Fork River offers a unique river experience right in town. We offer two different “Town floats” – the classic Milltown to Downtown is a scenic float starting in East Missoula at Sha-Ron river access or at Weigh Station on the Blackfoot River where you can paddle into the confluence of the Blackfoot & the Clark Fork River, passing through Hellgate Canyon, a small drop near Jacob’s Island (University of Montana) and hit Brennan’s wave downtown at Caras Park, take out at Silver Park near the Osprey Baseball Stadium.
West of town, we offer the Kelly Island to Kona Bridge trip – this section of river meanders through Cottonwood groves offering amazing birding & wildlife opportunities for such close proximity to town. We also pass the confluence of the Bitterroot & Clark Fork River. Just downstream of the confluence is where Lewis crossed the Clark Fork on the return journey in 1806 via the Blackfoot river and Rogers Pass continental divide crossing.
Bring the family
Both of the above are appropriate for families with young kids looking for an introduction to rafting before paddling whitewater and/or birding opportunities. This section of the Clark Fork can be run anytime, but for warmer weather and water temperature, we recommend end of June (sometimes later) to September. For more whitewater the Clark Fork’s Alberton Gorge is a great Class III whitewater run. For bigger more extreme whitewater, the best choice would be the Lochsa River.
Relating to Lewis & Clark
The “Clark’s Fork of the Columbia,” named after William Clark, is a major tributary of the mighty Columbia River. Why didn’t Lewis and Clark take the Clark Fork River instead of their arduous journey over the Lolo Trail? After deciding the Salmon River was too rough and banks to steep they traveled down the Bitterroot River and came to the Missoula valley. Lewis & Clark debated the best route to the Pacific with the guidance of their native American guides new they needed to reach rivers and waters with salmon. This would ensure they were on the drainages that eventually flowed to the Pacific. The Clark Fork did not have salmon. Even though the Clark’s Fork does flow to the Pacific.
Clark Fork River Town floats (use a regular Paddle Raft, not the River Pub)
Sha-Ron or Lower Blackfoot to Silver Park (Downtown Missoula)
Exact stretch of river depends on water level and group needs.
We use our regular paddle boats with guide in the stern.
Runs May-September
Full Day
$75 per person / $60 youth under 14 discount
Includes fresh deli lunch on the river
Half Day – No Lunch
$55 per person / $45 youth under 14 discount
Afternoon with Appetizers
$120 per person / $100 youth under 14 discount
Includes variety of antipasto style meat, cheese & veggies w/ beverages
Gourmet Dinner
$150 per person / $120 youth under 14 discount
Included full BBQ dinner. Call us for a custom sample gourmet menu.
Group size minimum of 6 to make any of the above trips go. Inquire if you have less than 6 to join a trip.
Kelly Island to Kona Bridge
Runs May-September
Full Day
$85 per person / $70 youth under 14 discount
Trip meets at 8:45am and returns approx 4:00pm, includes fresh deli lunch on the river
Half Day – No Lunch
$65 per person / $55 youth under 14 discount
Morning trips meet at 8:45am and returns approx 2:00pm
Afternoon trips meet at 12:30pm in July, 11:30 in August – return approx 5:30pm
Afternoon with Appetizers
$120 per person / $100 youth under 14 discount
Departs 12:30 and returns approx 7pm, includes variety of antipasto style meat, cheese & veggies w/ beverages
Gourmet Dinner
$150 per person / $120 youth under 14 discount
Departs 12:30pm and returns approx 8:00pm, relaxed pace. Call us for a custom sample gourmet menu.
Group size minimum of 6 to make any of the above trips go. Inquire if you have less than 6 to join a trip.
Trip Details
- Custom trips available for variety of trip length & group size, inquire for pricing.
- Minimum group size required for a trip to launch, please call ahead to reserve and ensure trip departures.
- Clark Fork Town trips usually depart from our office at 912 E. Broadway, Missoula MT, we can also meet you at the one of the river put-ins or take-outs or custom pick up location can be arranged for large groups. Return times are estimations and depend on water level, allow for delays.
- Minimum age limit usually 6 years old, but since this trip has very little whitewater, we can consider a younger age, inquire for details.
- We provide a professional whitewater guide, transportation to and from our office, paddle, Coast Guard approved PFD and beverages for the return drive.
Trip Planning Resources:
- Gear Lists & Recommended Reading
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Trip Cancellation Policy & Guest Responsibility
Need trip insurance? For your convenience, we offer travel protection through Travelex Insurance Services. For more information on the available plans or to enroll, got to www.travelexinsurance.com or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 26-0048.
Travel Insurance is underwritten by, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, NAIC #22276. 55Y