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Class
Class l-III rapids
Meeting Point
Superior, Montana
9:00 a.m. PDT
Duration
Full Day
Meals
Lunch Included

Clark Fork Rafting

The region's most popular trip, the Clark Fork River through Montana's Alberton Gorge is an exciting, splashy ride through Class II-III whitewater. Thousands of people visit the Clark Fork each year for its amazing scenery and fun rapids. Our trips include a delicious riverside lunch, professional guides, and rafting gear. All we need are eager, enthusiastic rafters (first-timers and experts alike) that are ready to have an unforgettable day on the river!

We use 13' paddle rafts so everyone is a participant. Each raft has a professional guide who teaches everyone how to paddle and as a team as you navigate the rapids.

Our season begins around the first week of July and goes until early September, depending on water levels. Rafters as young as 7 are welcome (check with us about early July water levels as it might be best to wait till mid-July to take kids younger than 10.) First-time rafters are welcome and all participants should be in good health and comfortable in water.

Rates

Adult
$125
Youth
$110
Group of 16+
$110/Adult, $95/Youth
Book Online or call (208) 770-2517

Rates from July 4 to September 2, 2024

*Please note we require a minimum of 6 guests to run a trip. Trips typically operate daily in July and August. If you have less than 6 in your party, you can still reserve space and we will work to place you with another group in order to confirm your trip.

*Dates subject to change due to water levels and availability.

*Prices plus 3% Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks Department Use fee and 7% Land & Water Access fee.

Many of our guests have requested information regarding gratuities - while all of our guides strive to provide an excellent trip for our guests in every way...if you feel that your trip was extraordinary and would like to leave a gratuity for your guide, we recommend 10-20% of your trip cost.  Of course, all gratuities are optional and at your sole discretion.

Itinerary

9:00 AM PST: Meet in scenic Superior Montana. 

10:00 AM: After a safety talk and demonstration you'll hit the river! 

12:00 PM: You'll stop for lunch on the beach and then back to floating. 

4:30-5:00 PM: Back to your vehicles.*

*Please note that due to the nature of the trip times may vary.

Trip Details

Packing list

Many days on the Clark Fork are hot and sunny and you'll simply need a swimsuit, T-shirt and proper footwear. However, if the forecast is for cool weather in western Montana, you should try and bring a set of synthetic tights/leggings, a synthetic sweater/shirt and a raincoat. Our guides often find that synthetic leggings with a pair of nylon shorts over the top are the perfect combination for cool days. If it gets even cooler, adding a synthetic sweater and/or raincoat completes the outfit. The weather in Montana may be different than Coeur d'Alene or Spokane, so come prepared for a variety of conditions. Avoid all cotton materials as cotton makes you colder when wet!

For Warm Days:

  • Water bottle - very important to bring along with you!
  • Sun screen and sun hat 
  • Towel for end of day
  • Nylon shorts or swimsuit 
  • Camera
  • Tennis shoes or sport sandals with straps
  • Head strap for glasses
  • Windbreaker and/or raincoat in case of cloudy weather

For Cool Days:

  • Synthetic leggings or tights is highly recommended
  • Synthetic top*
  • Rain coat* (good waterproof kind - not nylon windbreaker)
  • See other items under "For Warm Days" too

Weather

You can find local weather information here.  

Meeting Location

Meeting Location: 150 River St. Superior, Montana, 9:00 am PDT


The closest airports are in Spokane, WA and Missoula, MT as well as a small municipal airport in Superior for private aircraft.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Here at ROW Adventures, our first and foremost goal is for you to have an enjoyable and safe experience. While most of our trips are suitable for beginners, some of our trips are more active than others and it’s important that you understand the physical requirement of the trip you choose. 

All rafting trips are active adventures that involve some level of physical exertion and possible exposure to the elements including but not limited to wind, rain, heat, sun, cold temperatures and cold water conditions.  ROW Adventures is able to accommodate people with physical limitations, disabilities, and medical conditions; please speak with your Adventure Consultant if you think you will require any additional assistance while on the trip.  We ask that you consult your doctor if you have health or medical conditions that could impact your ability to participate in an active and outdoor adventure.  In general, all trip participants must be able to do the following:  

  • Wear all protective and safety equipment that is required by ROW Adventures and recommended/required by industry-wide standards.
  • Load and unload, on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion, the bus and/or van providing transportation for ROW Adventures activities.
  • Reach the river access points (put-in and take-out) on their own, or with the aid of a qualified companion.
  • Enter and exit the raft, kayak and/or inflatable kayak on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion.
  • Remain seated and balanced in a floating raft, canoe, kayak or inflatable kayak w/ the aid of adaptive equipment, if necessary.
  • Perform all on water activities, including following instructions that like paddling commands from the guide in class I and higher whitewater on their own or with the assistance of a qualified companion. 
  • Float on their back when entering moving and still water.  The participant must be capable of turning from face-down to face-up in the water with the aid of a Personal Floatation Device and must be able to hold their breath while underwater.
  • Remain calm and keep breathing under control in the event of a whitewater swim.
  • Get out from under a raft, whether the raft is up-right or capsized, in moving water.
  • Climb into the raft, with the help of another person, should an involuntary swim happen at any point on the river.
  • Make progress toward the shoreline or a raft by swimming in moving water and must be able to exit the river and ascend the shoreline once reached.
  • Participate as an active paddler when instructed by the guide for the duration of the trip. 
  • Move about the campsite on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion on all trips that include overnight camping and/or lunch.

Click HERE to see Terms and Conditions. 

Important Notice: ROW has an excellent safety record, but you should know that whitewater rafting is 
inherently risky. You will be required to sign a "Release and Assumption of Risk" agreement prior to the trip, 
recognizing and accepting the risks involved. If you're interested in trip cancellation, travel or accident 
insurance, contact our office. We do not allow alcoholic beverages or any drugs.

FAQ's

What class of rapids is the Clark Fork River?

The Clark Fork river is class I-III rapids depending on the specific rapid and water flow. This is a pool and drop river; meaning after a set of rapids there is a lull in white water and time to catch your breath, grab a drink of water, and take in the beautiful scenery of the Alberton George.

What if I have to go to the bathroom while out on the river?

ROW abides by the motto “the solution to pollution is dilution” in regard to liquid waste. For solid waste, guides will have wag bags for use to dispose of properly. The boat launch and take-out sites have pit toilets for public use as well.

For feminine hygiene, come prepared with some small zip-lock bags. These are useful for disposal during the day while on the river and can be put into our trash containers at lunch or the end of the day.

What is for lunch?

Lunch is comprised of a spread of appetizers like chips and dip, veggies and hummus, and fruit. The main lunch spread is a build-your-own sandwich bar with cookies for dessert. Beverages include, but are not limited to sparkling water, and water. No alcoholic beverages will be served during the trip.

Guides will pass out snacks on the bus ride to and from the river ranging from fruit snacks, trail mix, granola bars, etc.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you have any dietary needs or allergies and fill out your trip application form accordingly.

What should I wear?

For a full packing list click here. In summary, days on the Clark Fork are usually warm and sunny. A swimsuit is recommended as well as a sun hoodie, and shorts for sun protection and abrasion resistance against the raft and PFDs (personal floatation devices). For footwear pair of sandals with ankle straps Chacos, Keens, Bedrocks, or Tevas are preferred but there are many other brands that are suitable. Please no flip-flops.

What kind of watercraft do you use?

On the Clark Fork River, we use 14ft paddle rafts. Each raft can accommodate up to 7 guests with 1 guide. Everyone is an active participant on this trip. You will have a paddle to propel the boat downriver at the guide’s given commands.

 

What's the weather like during the Clark Fork rafting season?

From June to September the average weather temperatures in Superior Montana range from 77 to 87 degrees F. The weather is usually sunny in the summer months and rafting makes for a great way to cool off in the heat.

What temperature is the Clark Fork River?

From June to September the water temperature ranges from 56 to 72 degrees F, with the warmest water temperatures happening in July.

How long does it take to float the Clark Fork?

Your day with ROW Adventures Center will begin at 9:00 AM PST at the designated meeting point and end around 5:00 PST at your car. We will be on the water for roughly 5-6 hours. Please note that float times can vary depending on water levels, other rafters, etc.

How many river miles do we raft?

Over the course of the day we will float a total of 10 miles.

Reviews 77

Overall Rating

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Rating
Len Urgeleit
February 20, 2021 at 11:26 pm
We had such a great day. This was my 2nd trip with ROW and my girlfriend's first. Our guide was fun and had lots of interesting things to share with us about the geology and wildlife. We had our own guide with no other paddlers in our raft due to COVID. The staff takes care to keep groups distanced from each other and takes the COVID guidelines seriously, yet not get in the way of having fun. I recommend this trip to anyone going on their first rafting trip. It's fun and scenic with some big rapids, but nothing scary.
Lynn & Tom
February 18, 2021 at 4:15 am
My husband and I have done many river trips in the past and my sister asked us to join her as she had never done one. The guides made the trip fun and we all had a blast!! We would definitely like to do another trip :-)
Katie Palomino
February 16, 2021 at 7:14 pm
It was amazing! It was my first time rafting the guides were awesome too. Would totally go again! Rafting is EPIC
Caroline Griffin
February 16, 2021 at 3:13 pm
Too much fun. We didn't know river rafting even existed on the Clark Fork.
It was beautiful and we were treated to first class fun. Our guide made us feel special as he wouldn't let the other rafts ALL from the air force base, splash us oldies. But they sure tried to take our guide out, to no avail 😊. We laughed so hard it hurt. We also learned about the river and its history.
We would love to find out more about the other trips available.
I'm rating this as 100% perfect in every way.
Respectfully,
John and Caroline Griffin
Dianne Herz
February 15, 2021 at 11:49 pm
What a great raft trip. It is especially perfect for first timers or for a trip with kids. My 12 year old son and his friend had a blast. It's an easy day trip from North Idaho. Our guide was extremely personable and helpful. The scenery was magnificent. There were plenty of opportunities to jump in the river, float in the water, and jump off cliffs. There were also exciting rapids to make it a well rounded day.
Stella Kinne
February 15, 2021 at 4:04 pm
The Clark Fork was the perfect day trip! There was just enough excitement to keep all ages enthralled and completely engaged. The guides were excellent! They all are a fantastic mix of professional and personable, always keeping our safety in the forefront yet ensuring everyone was having a great time. I highly recommend this river trip.
David Palomino
February 15, 2021 at 8:06 am
My families fist rafting experience in Aug 2020 was a pleasure. Clark Fork river was just the right exposure for my families first time out. We are hooked. The guides did an excellent job, were super fun and friendly. We hope to return soon.
Kelley Palomino
February 15, 2021 at 8:00 am
We booked the last day of the 2020 season and got the first day of rain of the season- go figure! The employees at ROW were amazing to get us outfitted with extra gear last minute. We stayed warm the whole trip!
The lunch was wonderful and the EXPERIENCE was beyond what I had hoped for. Our family LOVED rafting and we hope to do it every year now and bump up in difficulty. We are a large family and had to split up into two rafts. BOTH guides did an awesome job! What a great family vacation. Thanks for making it worth while ROW.👍👍
Melody Lummus
February 15, 2021 at 3:44 am
Outstanding we had the best guide.. after learning we could handle our selves he lead us into the rapids so we got the most experience and all got equally soaked.. It was my 12 year old's first time and he and i are hooked for life.. we will be back soon.
thank you
Milissa
February 15, 2021 at 12:36 am
I had some out of town guests and we booked the Clark Fork Trip, such a great day with a wonderful crew. We will be booking with them again.
Book Online or call (208) 770-2517