Want to cool down this summer on the river, but don’t want to paddle the whitewater section of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River? Try floating down from West Glacier to the Blankenship Bridge Road.
The float below West Glacier is less technical than the upper canyon section of the Middle Fork, which is where a lot of commercial outfitters guide whitewater trips.
This section of the river is frequented by families in inter-tubes, rafts, kayaks, canoes and drift boats. The float takes about two hours in mid-July, depending on how much you stop to enjoy the views and whether you’re fishing. It takes you along the border of Glacier National Park and through a jagged rocky canyon at the Apgar Mountains. When you see and hear the two rivers coming together, be prepared to exit the river at Blankenship Bridge.
A good understanding of river flows, weather and the general lay of the land is always valuable.
How to get there: Take Highway 2 toward West Glacier. Turn on to Going-to-the-Sun Road in West Glacier. Just before the bridge in West Glacier, turn left on River Bend Drive and take it down past the golf course and you will see the river access to your right. In order to get back to your car you will need to leave a car or have a ride ready for you at Blankenship Bridge. Take Highway 2 West out of West Glacier, turn right on Belton Stage Road then left on Blankenship Bridge Road and follow it to the bridge. At Blankenship Bridge there are river accesses on both sides of the bridge, pick one and head back up to West Glacier to float down.