Guided Raft Trips at Glacier National Park

The trip starts with a short ride to Mocassin Creek, eight miles upstream of West Glacier. (The west entrance to Glacier National Park) From there, your guide will instruct you on river safety and proper paddling technique as you paddle your way to the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. If you're new to whitewater rafting, no worries, as you have four miles of relatively calm water to learn the paddle commands and how to paddle effectively as a team. Along the way there are incredible views into Glacier National Park's dramatic terrain. 

Once you get to John Stevens Canyon the river picks up speed and your adventure really begins. You'll need all of that practice from upstream to execute the commands in the whitewater. With rapids like Bonecrusher, Jaws and the Notch (to name a few) your crew is sure to have an exciting time.

Once you see the Old Bridge, (The original route in to Glacier National Park) you are nearly there. There's about a mile left to the take out, followed by a short ride back to the Great Northern Resort where Ed's Barbeque is sure to be smoking and the ice cream is nice and cold on a hot summer's day. Make sure to check out the photos of your run through Bonecrusher in our main Chalet!

Our full-day trip is a great way to see more of Glacier National Park. For this adventure, we start by meeting at the Great Northern Resort at 10:15. Your guides have checked the weather and will have appropriate gear for you to handle the conditions in comfort. About half an hour later you will take a short ride up the river to an access site called Cascadilla.

This trip is wonderful because you get to float through Nyack Flats, a large area where the majority of the river flows through large gravel basins providing an incredibly diverse ecosystem. As you travel through the flats, the views into the backcountry of Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness are phenomenal! This is also a great area to see all sorts of wildlife.

Lunchtime consists of your fearless whitewater guide/river chef preparing a top-notch river spread. We offer steak, chicken, buffalo burgers, black bean burgers, or a pasta for your main course. Make sure to tell the reservation staff which you prefer. Accompanying your protein of choice is an appetizer, assortment of salads and a dessert. It would be great to list all of the items now, but they are whatever is fresh and in season in our chef's own organic garden.

After lunch comes the Whitewater!

Once you get to John Stevens Canyon the river picks up speed and your adventure really begins. You'll need all of that practice from upstream to execute the commands in the whitewater. With rapids like Bonecrusher, Jaws and the Notch (to name a few) your crew is sure to have an exciting time.

Once you see the Old Bridge, (The original route in to Glacier National Park) you are nearly there. There's about a mile left to the take out, followed by a short ride back to the Great Northern Resort where Ed's Barbeque is sure to be smoking and the ice cream is nice and cold on a hot summer's day. Make sure to check out the photos of your run through Bonecrusher in our main Chalet!

*Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions: gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, nut allergies, etc.

Meals with Great Northern Resort are a special treat when out on a river adventure. Your fearless river guide/chef will prepare an amazing meal out of food and supplies that travel down the river with you. All of our food is originally prepared at the resort by Meg Lindberg from Earth Angel Organics. She specializes in gluten free pasta, but has extensive experience in producing amazing dairy free, vegan and vegetarian food also. Rest assured that although our food is healthy, it is definitely tasty! Our meats are sourced locally, we use organic vegetables whenever possible straight from our chef's own organic garden, and our desserts are homemade. For those of you with food allergies, you have come to the right place!

Our dinner trips begin with either a whitewater or a scenic float. Along the way, your guide has prepared the perfect spot to enjoy good food while appreciating Glacier National Park. Dinner selections are typically steak, chicken, buffalo burger, black bean burger, or pasta. Accompanying your protein selection is an appetizer, a selection of fresh salads and a dessert. Make sure to tell the reservation staff which protein option you prefer.

Make sure to check out the photos of your run through Bonecrusher when you get back to our main Chalet!

*Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions: gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, nut allergies, etc.

Highlight your vacation experience by venturing into a quiet, natural world full of wildlife, such as deer, elk, beaver, herons, ducks, geese, and raptors like osprey and bald eagles.

Your experienced, friendly guide will share the colorful heritage of our early settlers and the history of Glacier National Park and of the Flathead river on your scenic river float.

The Scenic Float is a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy the Flathead River and Glacier National Park. This scenic river trip is a favorite for families with small children or senior citizens. This float starts right in West Glacier. From there we float a mild stretch of water, perfect for swimming, birdwatching, or just relaxing.

Meals with Great Northern Resort are a special treat when out on a river adventure. Your fearless river guide/chef will prepare an amazing meal out of food and supplies that travel down the river with you. All of our food is originally prepared at the resort by Meg Lindberg from Earth Angel Organics. She specializes in gluten free pasta, but has extensive experience in producing amazing dairy free, vegan and vegetarian food also. Rest assured that although our food is healthy, it is definitely tasty! Our meats are sourced locally, we use organic vegetables whenever possible straight from our chef's own organic garden, and our desserts are homemade. For those of you with food allergies, you have come to the right place!

Our dinner trips begin with either a whitewater or a scenic float. Along the way, your guide has prepared the perfect spot to enjoy good food while appreciating Glacier National Park. Dinner selections are typically steak, chicken, buffalo burger, black bean burger, or pasta. Accompanying your protein selection is an appetizer, a selection of fresh salads and a dessert. Make sure to tell the reservation staff which protein option you prefer.

Make sure to check out the photos of your run through Bonecrusher when you get back to our main Chalet!

*Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions: gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, nut allergies, etc.

Join Great Northern for one of our specialty evening cruises. Each week we have a different theme for our trip that is sure to enhance your Glacier National Park experience. Throughout the months of July and August we will invite various experts to guide you through the natural beauty of Glacier Park. We will focus these interpretive tours on areas such as park geology, history, and flora/fauna to name a few.

On each tour, we provide drinks and hors d'oeurves from our organic kitchen. Also, don't worry about paddling as our interpretive guides will be rowing you down one of the most beautiful sections of river to border Glacier National Park.

Check our calendar of events to see who's guiding the next tour!

This is one of the most exciting trips on the river, and designed for the more adventurous paddler! Brave the rapids in a single or double inflatable kayak. The waves are much bigger when you are sitting at water level!

The trip starts with a short ride to Mocassin Creek, eight miles upstream of West Glacier. (The west entrance to Glacier National Park) From there, your guide will instruct you on river safety and proper paddling technique as you paddle your way to the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. There are about four miles of calm water for you to perfect your technique and learn to paddle together if you are in a double. Along the way there are incredible views into Glacier National Park's dramatic terrain. 

Once you get to John Stevens Canyon the river picks up speed and your adventure really begins. You'll need all of that practice from upstream to take on the whitewater. With rapids like Bonecrusher, Jaws and the Notch (to name a few) you are sure to have an exciting time.

Once you see the Old Bridge, (The original route in to Glacier National Park) you are nearly there. There's about a mile left to the take out, followed by a short ride back to the Great Northern Resort where Ed's Barbeque is sure to be smoking and the ice cream is nice and cold on a hot summer's day. Make sure to check out the photos of your run through Bonecrusher in our main Chalet!

Wet suits and booties are included.

This trip is for the daring paddler that wants a smaller boat and crew to make for a wilder whitewater experience! Our guides love to take on the big waves and more exciting lines are possible in our smaller sport raft.

With a smaller, narrower boat the waves feel much bigger as they crash over the top of the crew. If you are looking for a rowdier ride then you should definitely consider the sport raft option. Available for all of our whitewater launches.

Make sure to check out the photos of your run through Bonecrusher when you get back to our main Chalet!

Great Northern Whitewater Resort, home of the Great Northern Kayak School, is situated on one of the greatest rivers to learn to kayak in the Northwest; the Middle Fork of the Flathead has been the first run for hundreds of kayakers since the sport started. The sixty-mile stretch of river between Bear Creek and the town of Columbia falls, including the Middle Fork of the Flathead and the rest of the Flathead river system, offers some of the most featured yet friendly and enjoyable runs in the country. This provides the perfect environment in bringing people along from the point of being a beginner kayaker to an intermediate level and beyond.

Great Northern Whitewater Resort has been in operation since 1977 and our river staff has set the standard for professionalism on the Middle Fork of the Flathead for the last several decades. Our staff’s experience paddling rivers across the world has left us well prepared to start your paddling career.

Growth in each individual student/client is our primary goal. At the Great Northern Kayak School we strive to instruct at the highest level in order to create boaters who are strong, who are confident, and who value good judgment above all else.

Our number one concern is for the safety of our students. That is why we take pride in providing the best trained staff of instructors and guides in the industry. Our kayak instructors are certified by the American Canoe Association as (ACA) Whitewater Instructors and also receive training as Swift-Water Rescue Technicians in addition to advanced first aid, such as, Wilderness-First Responder and Wilderness EMT.

Great Northern Resort has teamed up with two of our best neighbors, who just happen to be the greatest horse outfitters in all of "Glacier Country"Swan Mountain Outfitters and Raw Hide Outfitters.

These cowboys have been providing scenic horseback trail rides for over a quarter century in our part of the country. Swan Mountain Outfitters is located inside Glacier National Park and has several locations in the park to choose from. Raw Hide Outfitters is across the street from Great Northern Resort, and offers a variety of times and rides throughout the day.

"What about experience?" No rafting or horseback riding experience is necessary for these adventures.

Just make sure you wear closed shoes and long pants for riding. This stretch of river is great for children age 12 and up during our Spring Runoff and for children age 8 and up in July and August.

This is an outstanding way to spend a summer day with your whole family!

Most people prefer to do the trail ride in the morning so they have a better opportunity to see wildlife and then return to Great Northern Resort after a lunch break. After a short drive up the canyon we put in for a half-day of whitewater adventure.

We return to the resort in the late afternoon where you can view photos of your rafting trip. Our office will be happy to help you with arrangements for your trail ride.

Meals with Great Northern Resort are a special treat when out on a river adventure. Your fearless river guide/chef will prepare an amazing meal out of food and supplies that travel down the river with you. All of our food is originally prepared at the resort by Meg Lindberg from Earth Angel Organics. She specializes in gluten free pasta, but has extensive experience in producing amazing dairy free, vegan and vegetarian food also. Rest assured that although our food is healthy, it is definitely tasty! Our meats are sourced locally, we use organic vegetables whenever possible straight from our chef's own organic garden, and our desserts are homemade. For those of you with food allergies, you have come to the right place!

Our dinner trips begin with either a whitewater or a scenic float. Along the way, your guide has prepared the perfect spot to enjoy good food while appreciating Glacier National Park. Dinner selections are typically steak, chicken, buffalo burger, black bean burger, or pasta. Accompanying your protein selection is an appetizer, a selection of fresh salads and a dessert. Make sure to tell the reservation staff which protein option you prefer.

Make sure to check out the photos of your run through Bonecrusher when you get back to our main Chalet!

*Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions: gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, nut allergies, etc.

The wild and scenic Middle Fork of the Flathead is one of the great, wild rivers of the West. We offer you a choice of 2 or 3 day trips complete with all river gear, meals, and shuttle service.

Our experienced river guides know the river intimately, assuring you an exciting ride through some of Montana's wildest whitewater rapids. You'll thrill to the excitement of a deep roar and the joyous screams from the preceding boats as you challenge the river at every drop.

The river will carry you along between two great mountain ranges, with the Great Bear Wilderness on one side of the canyon and the lofty summits of Glacier National Park on the other. Truly unspoiled, the region teems with fish and wildlife of all kinds.

We'll see to your comforts and prepare meals fit for a king or a queen. With the river at your feet and a blanket of stars over your head, you'll begin and end your days to the timeless sounds of the river.