What to Bring?

Three days on the Yellowstone River in the heat of summer is no easy task, don’t forget to bring these items:

• Drinking Water!

• Sunscreen, sun shirts, long pants, and sun hats.

• Camping Equipment: Tent, chairs, cooking equipment,

• Float Equipment: Watercraft; oars, paddles, and spares; life jackets; throw ropes/floats;

What river running skills should I know to run the Yellowstone Boat Float?

The Yellowstone River is the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states and therefore has some of the wildest flood seasons, carving out stony outcrops and carrying whole cottonwood miles downstream. Yellowstone Boat Float traditionally takes place after the peak of flood season. Even with lower flows it is important to have a strong ability to pilot your watercraft. Being able to maneuver your craft to avoid trees, bridge pylons, and large rapids will make the difference between a fun trip and an unplanned emergency. Being able to read river currents, ferry across currents, exit into and out of river eddies, and recover your craft in the event of a capsize are all crucial skills for a fun and safe trip.

There is no life guard on duty!

Where can I camp?

Mayors Landing Fishing Access, Otter Creek Fishing Access, Indian Fort Fishing Access, and Itch-Kep-Pe Park all offer free first-com first-serve camping. Campers are asked to pack in and out their refuse, driving only on designated roads, lighting fires only in designated fire-pits, minimizing their impact on vegetation, and following all park rules.

Will their be places to buy food?

Food trucks often set up at camp grounds but permitting is ran by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. It is always best to plan on bringing your own food for the river as well as the campground. On Saturday’s float Hagermann Ranch sets up Burger Beach on river left about half-way through the float where they offer burgers made from beef raised right there on the ranch. After Saturday’s float, in Reed Point, the Waterhole Saloon organizes a shuttle to take floaters from the Indian Fort Fishing Access/Campground to the Street Dance at the Waterhole Saloon where food trucks will be present to serve attendees.

Can I bring my dog?

Some floaters bring their experienced river dogs at their own risk. Leashing your dog in campgrounds and on river banks is recommended and may be required per park rules. Some dogs have been lost when watercraft have capsized in years past, and like all aspects of the float floaters attend at their own risk.