Smith River - Camp Baker to Eden Bridge

Description

The Smith River is unique to Montana in 2 ways. First it is the only permitted river currently in Montana and second it runs for 59 miles without any kind of vehicle access. The Smith is one of the best multi-day floats in the western US. Not because of the whitewater but because of the fishing, solitude and scenery. Pulling a permit is tough since only 9 parties launch a day. If you have kids, this is a great trip to introduce them to multi-day river trips.

This river is in the heart of Montana so expect just about any kind of weather any time of year. The best fishing tends to be on the downslope of the runnoff where the river mellows some and the fish are out looking for a bite to eat.

There are also many quality campsites on this stretch. Most parties run this at a leisure pace of 5 days and 4 nights. If you have the time and like fishing, planning in a layover day somewhere never hurts.

Statistics

Author
Class	II to II+
Current Flow	845.0 CFS 05-19-2024 11:15
Recommended Flow	Minimum: 300.0 Average: 800.0 Maximum: 2000.0
Typical Season	Begins: April Ends: July
Recommended Use	Kayaking: Yes Rafting: Yes Canoeing: Yes SUP: Yes Packrafting: No Fishing: Yes
Primary Gauge	Smith River bl Eagle Cr nr Fort Logan MT
Length	58.9 Mile(s)
Gradient	15.8 FPM

Permit Agency Name	Smith River State Park
Permit Agency Phone Number	406-454-5840
Permit Agency Address	Smith River State Park c/o FWP Region 4 Headquarters 4600 Giant Springs Rd Great Falls, MT 59405
Permit Information	The Smith River is on a permit lottery. Applications are usually due in mid February. Check out the Smith River State Park home page for exact information as permit rules change over time.
Permit Regulations and Required River Gear	Camp Baker Camping limited to 14 days per 30-day period. Fires permitted in designated fire grates only. Fires must be completely contained within the fire grate and fully extinguished. Motorized vehicles restricted to roads and parking areas. Preserve natural and cultural resources – do not remove or damage. Discharge of firearms, weapons or fireworks prohibited. Heed Camp Baker quiet hours: 10 PM to 7 AM. Pack In - Pack Out. Do not litter. River Corridor River floating requires a permit year-round. Floater fees required year round. Commercial outfitting restricted to authorized Smith River outfitters. Camping allowed in designated sites only. Camping limited to 4 nights while on the river (May 15–July 15). Fires permitted in designated fire grates only. Fires must be completely contained within the fire grate and fully extinguished. Pets are prohibited; exceptions include legitimate service dogs and hunting dogs used for lawful purposes during legal hunting seasons. Preserve natural and cultural resources – do not remove or damage. Feeding and harassing wildlife is prohibited and unsafe. Discharge of firearms and weapons prohibited in boat camps. Fireworks prohibited on all public land within river corridor. Pack In – Pack Out. Do not litter.
Permit Agency URL	http://stateparks.mt.gov/smith-river/
Application Deadline	February 10
Application Fee
Permit Fee

Type	Name	Description	Camping?	Water?	Boat Ramp?	Vehicle Access
Put-In	Camp Baker Access	From the I-90 area you need to make your way north to the small town of White Sulpher Springs (via Highway 89). From there head west on the Fort Logan Road (Highway 360). After a while you'll reach the Smith River road (on your right). Follow that to Camp Baker camp and access area that will serve as the putin.	Yes	No	Yes	All Vehicles
Take-Out	Eden's Bridge Take Out	The first bridge you come to on this run (59 miles from the put in) is your take out. To get there by car head easy out of the town of Cascade on I-15 and follow the Cascade Hound Creek Road to the take out.	No	No	Yes	All Vehicles

Camp Name	Description	Fee?	Beach?
Spring Creek Camp	Past the confluence with Spring creek. Camp is on river left.	No	No
In-Lieu	Camp on river right	No	No
Indian Springs Camp	On river right	No	No
Rock Garden Camp	River left	No	No
Rock Creek Camp	A nice sandbar camp on river right	No	No
Scotty Allen Camp	River left	No	No
Syringa Camp	On river left	No	No
Canyon Depth Camp	On river right by the cliff. Nice shade in the morning.	No	No
Two Creek Camp	River right	No	No
Sheep Wagon Camp	A very nice sandbar beach camp on river right	No	Yes
Cow Coulee Camp	A nice smaller shady camp on river right	No	No
Sunset Cliff Camp	River right	No	No
County Line Camp	River right.	No	No
Bear Gulch Camp	River right	No	No
Trout Creek Camp	River left	No	No
Crows Foot Camp	A fairly open and exposed camp on the bend on river left.	No	No
Table Rock Camp	River right	No	No
Fraunhofer Camp	Severral camps here on river right.	No	No
Upper Parker Flat Camp	A decent camp but requires a gear carry from the river	No	No
Parker Flat Camp	Another good camp. River left. Requires a gear carry to camp.	No	No
Paradise Bend Camp	River right.	No	No
Staigmiller Camp	River right	No	No
Merganser Bend Camp	River left	No	No
Black Butte Camp	River right	No	No
Ridgetop Camp	River left	No	No
Givens Gulch Camp	A large camp on river left	No	No
Rattlesnake Bend Camp	Several nice camps on river right.	No	No

Smith River - Camp Baker to Eden Bridge

Montana-US

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