Camp Baker to Eden Bridge
Montana – US
- Class
- II to II+
- Length
- 58.9 Mile(s)
- Gradient
- 15.8 FPM
- Put-in elevation
- 4,379 Feet
- Take-out elevation
- 3,446 Feet
- Typical season
- April to July
Current Flow
230 CFS
Gauge height: 3.54 FT
Reading from Jul 10, 2026 10:15 PM
▼ -1.08/hr (12h) ▼ -0.54/hr (24h)
Don't bother
- Primary gauge
- Smith River bl Eagle Cr nr Fort Logan MT Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 300 |
| Average | 800 |
| Maximum | 2,000 |
Recommended use
- Kayaking
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- SUP
- Packrafting
- Fishing
Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.
Flow history — last 6 days
No gauge history recorded in the last 6 days.
Photos
No photos added for this run yet.
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.
Rapids
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Camp Baker Access | 4,379 Feet | Yes | No | Yes | All Vehicles | 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. |
| Take-Out | Eden's Bridge Take Out | 3,446 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | 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. |
Camps
| Camp | Fee | Beach | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Creek Camp | No | No | Past the confluence with Spring creek. Camp is on river left. |
| In-Lieu | No | No | Camp on river right |
| Indian Springs Camp | No | No | On river right |
| Rock Garden Camp | No | No | River left |
| Rock Creek Camp | No | No | A nice sandbar camp on river right |
| Scotty Allen Camp | No | No | River left |
| Syringa Camp | No | No | On river left |
| Canyon Depth Camp | No | No | On river right by the cliff. Nice shade in the morning. |
| Two Creek Camp | No | No | River right |
| Sheep Wagon Camp | No | Yes | A very nice sandbar beach camp on river right |
| Cow Coulee Camp | No | No | A nice smaller shady camp on river right |
| Sunset Cliff Camp | No | No | River right |
| County Line Camp | No | No | River right. |
| Bear Gulch Camp | No | No | River right |
| Trout Creek Camp | No | No | River left |
| Crows Foot Camp | No | No | A fairly open and exposed camp on the bend on river left. |
| Table Rock Camp | No | No | River right |
| Fraunhofer Camp | No | No | Severral camps here on river right. |
| Upper Parker Flat Camp | No | No | A decent camp but requires a gear carry from the river |
| Parker Flat Camp | No | No | Another good camp. River left. Requires a gear carry to camp. |
| Paradise Bend Camp | No | No | River right. |
| Staigmiller Camp | No | No | River right |
| Merganser Bend Camp | No | No | River left |
| Black Butte Camp | No | No | River right |
| Ridgetop Camp | No | No | River left |
| Givens Gulch Camp | No | No | A large camp on river left |
| Rattlesnake Bend Camp | No | No | Several nice camps on river right. |
Permit
Smith River State Park
c/o FWP Region 4 Headquarters
4600 Giant Springs Rd
Great Falls, MT 59405
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.
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.
Fishing
No fish species have been associated with this run yet.
External Links & Resources
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Community Run Notes
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