Smith River

Great Falls Montana

Listing Type: River
City: Great Falls Montana
Region: Central Montana
406-454-5840
http://fwp.state.mt.us

The river is 59 river miles from Camp Baker (put-in) to Eden Bridge (take-out). On average, floaters take 4 days to float. A minimum of two nights and three full days should be planned for normal water levels, which is 300+ cfs. From June 10 through July 10 floaters are restricted to 4 nights maximum stay on the river once they launch.

Of the 118 miles of shoreline along the river, only 26 miles are on public land. There are 27 boat camps with 52 campsites along the river. Some of the boat camps are on State Land and National Forest while others are on leased private land. The boat camps are signed and marked on the Montana AFLOAT maps, which are given out at Camp Baker upon registration. Please camp only at the boatcamps.

The Smith flows through a remote canyon. There are no public services from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge. You must carry all your own food and water, safety and camping equipment and fishing license. It is advisable to bring all the drinking water you will need for the duration of your trip, as there is no drinking water available at Camp Baker. There are no trash dumpsters at Camp Baker, but one is available at the Eden Bridge takeout along with an aluminum-recycling center. You can get supplies, overnight accommodations, gasoline, water and information at White Sulphur Springs on your way to the put-in. You should fill your vehicles up with gas while in White Sulphur Springs. There is a museum and other recreational resources in the White Sulphur Springs area as well as the Hot Springs, which gave the town its name. Cascade, Great Falls and Ulm are the closest services to the Eden Bridge takeout, with gas stations at each town.

The Smith River flows through a great deal of private land. Ranchers along the Smith River graze livestock, particularly during the late summer and early fall. The fences have been installed to control the livestock. In order to not hinder floaters, most fences will have float gates (see diagram below), installed with the cooperation of the landowner, allowing safe passage of your boat. Use caution when approaching and passing through the float gates. Please repay the favor by respecting the landowner's right to use the river. Don't cut fences, camp on private land without permission, litter or vandalize equipment. Please respect cabin owners privacy by moving quickly past their cabin sites. Realize that only through cooperation between the landowner and floaters will the Smith River continue to be used and preserved by all.

Floating the Smith requires careful planning and preparation. Please call the Great Falls FWP office at (406) 454-5861 if you have any additional questions.

Directions: Eden Bridge is 28 miles from Great Fall via Ulm and Interstate 15. Great Falls to Camp Baker via White Sulphur Springs is 123 miles. From White Sulphur Springs to Camp Baker is 26 miles. Take State Secondary Road 360 (Fort Logan Road) West from White Sulphur Springs 16.6 miles to the Camp Baker turn-off. Follow the directional signs 9.6 miles to Camp Baker. It takes two hours to drive from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge on Millegan Road (State Secondary Road 360). Driving this gravel road should not be attempted during wet conditions. Make sure to lock your vehicles and leave no valuables at Camp Baker or Eden Bridge.

Smith River
Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks, Great Falls, MT 59405

Activities
Tent Camping
River Fishing

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