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The Gallatin National Forest contains 4,000 miles of streams,
plus numerous backcountry lakes and several large front country
lakes.
Those looking to boat on the Gallatin National Forest and general
area will be focusing primarily on the Yellowstone River, the
Madison River, the Gallatin River, Hebgen Lake and the Hyalite
Reservoir. The Yellowstone River runs north From Gardiner Montana
and then east towards Billings, creating a wide berth around the
national forest. The Madison starts in Yellowstone Park, and flows
through the Gallatin National Forest West Yellowstone area, then
just west of the forest on its way To Ennis, finally touching
the national forest again at the popular Bear Trap Canyon before
meeting the Missouri near Three Forks. Bear Trap Canyon is an
incredibly popular float on the Madison river.
All of the rivers have numerous access points for rafting. Remember,
enter these waters at your own risk. They can be incredibly dangerous.
The Gallatin River also starts in Yellowstone and flows north
towards the Bozeman area in the majestic Gallatin Canyon country.
Rafting is a very popular activity on all of these larger rivers.
Also of note are the countless backcountry lakes in the forest
which you can hike a float tube or canoe into. The possibilities
there are endless, but the terrain is rugged in terms of getting
to these backcountry lakes. Consult your copy of the Gallatin
National forest map. You may even need to pick up higher detail
quad maps for the sections you wish to travel.
Hyalite Reservoir: 158 acres, with an elevation of 6,704
feet. Located SE of Bozeman on Hyalite Canyon Road. Boat ramp
is present. Boats have to travel at no-wake speed.
Quake Lake: A narrow six miles long and 190 feet deep.
Elevation is 6,393 feet. The story behind Quake Lake is a spectacular
one, but also sad. On August 17, 1959, the largest earthquake
in Montana history, and the largest in the Northern Rockies for
centuries caused an 80 million ton landslide to block a large
section of the Madison River. This landslide traveled down the
mountain at 100 mile per hour and killed twenty eight people who
were camping on Hebgen Lake and further downstream along the Madison
River. The visitor center at the head of the lake is a chilling
reminder of the power of mother nature.
Hebgen Lake: 12,564 acres with an elevation of 6,539 feet.
Located fifteen miles west of West Yellowstone on highway 287.
Boats have to travel at no-wake speed in these areas: Rainbow
Point Bay as buoyed; Loneshomehurst Campground within 200 feet
of shore ; Kirkwood Resort Marina and residential area/marina
within 200 feet of shore; Happy Hour Marina Yellowstone Holiday
Arm Resort within 200 feet of docks. Restrictions: Hebgen Dam
100' above the dam to 100' below the outlet works group.
Montana law concerning boating in the state:
1. Respect the space of other craft. Do not "buzz" cut
off or harass others.
2. Do not cross or jump the wake of another boat within 100 yards
or a water skier.
3. Do not travel at speeds which will not allow a complete stoppage
of movement when you need to clear obstacles.
4. Do not speed towards or away from docks, ramps, or diving platforms.
Image note: The main photo on this page is one of the more popular
trout streams in the area. The forest was incredibly quiet and
peaceful, and the river full of cutthroat trout. The typical late
afternoon thunderstorm was on its way as you can clearly see.
There was an intense period of rain and lightning, but I was able
to find shelter in a stand of low trees.
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