Blankenship Bridge
Flathead River bridge and gravel-bar access below the North and Middle Fork confluence near Columbia Falls.
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An idea to explore—not a must-do.
The full road crossing depends on seasonal access—even in summer.
An idea to explore—not a must-do.
An idea to explore—not a must-do.
Confirm the gravel bar is open; the Forest Service gates it during spring runoff.
Upper mainstem rule: single-pointed hooks only, no treble or double hooks.
Spring or fall; weekdays or early mornings in summer to avoid crowds
Nearby Attraction
Blankenship Bridge crosses the Flathead River on Blankenship Road, outside Columbia Falls, just below where the North Fork and Middle Fork join to form the mainstem. The gravel bar on the southwest side, which the Flathead National Forest calls Blankenship Southwest, is a river access and camping spot and the take-out for the 5.5-mile Middle Fork float from West Glacier, and it closes to camping and vehicles when high water submerges the access road, as it did in spring 2026. From the confluence downstream the river is open all year with catch-and-release for cutthroat, no intentional fishing for bull trout, and single-pointed hooks only on the upper mainstem. For a Glacier trip it is a river stop between Columbia Falls and the West Entrance rather than a destination on its own.
Quick facts
- Attraction Type
- River access and bridge
- Distance From Park
- On Blankenship Road outside Columbia Falls, below the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead; the Forest Service lists the Middle Fork float from West Glacier to Blankenship at 5.5 river miles, and West Glacier is the park's West Entrance.
- Entry Fees
- No fee is published for the bridge or gravel bar. A Montana fishing license is required to fish.
Visit details
- Attraction Type
- River access and bridge
- Distance From Park
- On Blankenship Road outside Columbia Falls, below the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead; the Forest Service lists the Middle Fork float from West Glacier to Blankenship at 5.5 river miles, and West Glacier is the park's West Entrance.
- Entry Fees
- No fee is published for the bridge or gravel bar. A Montana fishing license is required to fish.
- Operating Hours
- Open 24 hours (Google listing); Forest Service closes the gravel-bar area during high water.
- Seasonal Operation
- The Blankenship Southwest area is closed to camping and motorized vehicle use under an emergency order when runoff submerges the access road; the 2026 order was issued April 10 and lifted when water levels receded. Winter whitefish fishing runs mid-September into January.
Getting there
- Address
- Columbia Falls, MT 59912, USA
- Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible; rough road and terrain limit access
What to expect
- Main Activities
- River access for rafts and floaters (take-out from West Glacier)
- Fishing
- Dispersed camping on the gravel bar when open
- Best For
- Floaters ending a Middle Fork trip from West Glacier
- Anglers in the fall whitefish run
- A quick river stop on the way to or from the West Entrance
- Unique Features
- Confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead just upstream; the Forest Service has proposed erosion control and bank stabilization at the northwest bridge abutment to protect the structure and improve fish habitat.
- Why Visit Here
- It is where the North Fork and Middle Fork meet and the mainstem Flathead begins, and the Forest Service tracks flows for the floats ending here (West Glacier to Blankenship 5.5 miles, Great Northern Flats to Blankenship 11 miles, Moccasin Creek to Blankenship 15 miles).
- Comparison To Park
- The Middle Fork forms the park boundary upstream of here, so this is the first river access below the park where the water is fully outside it. No entrance fee, no reservation, but also no staffed facilities.
Facilities & advice
- Family Friendly Notes
- Wildlife hazards (grizzly population); rough road; crowds; supervise children; mosquitoes
- Best Time To Visit
- Spring or fall; weekdays or early mornings in summer to avoid crowds
- Tips Advice
- High-clearance vehicle recommended for the access road
- Parking on both sides; expect crowding in summer; plan for longer waits
- Bring water shoes, insect repellent, bear spray; mosquitoes active in warmer months
- Sunrise and sunset are your best bets for light; consider arriving early or post-work hours to minimize people
More details
- Parking Type
- Informal parking on the gravel bar and along the access road when open
- Food Available
- None; Columbia Falls has the nearest services.
- Facilities
- Gravel bar with an access road
- Gate on the county right-of-way, closed during high water
- Summer Notes
- Check the Flathead National Forest river conditions page for current flows before floating; the area may still be gated early in the season.
- Winter Activities
- Whitefish fishing: the run starts mid-September, peaks mid-October to mid-November and lasts into January, with good numbers from the Stillwater River up to Blankenship Bridge.
- Best Visit Times
- Mid-summer after the high-water closure lifts for floating and swimming; fall for the whitefish run.
- Insider Tips
- Confirm the gravel bar is open; the Forest Service gates it during spring runoff.
- Upper mainstem rule: single-pointed hooks only, no treble or double hooks.
- No intentional fishing for bull trout; cutthroat are catch-and-release.
- December 1 to the third Saturday in May, maggots and unscented artificial lures only.
- Nearby Facilities
- Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District, (406) 387-3800, for closure status.
- Review Summary
- Rated 4.5 on Google across 220 reviews, a strong score for an unstaffed river access.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
How far is Blankenship Bridge from Glacier's West Entrance?
By river, the Forest Service lists West Glacier to Blankenship at 5.5 miles on the Middle Fork. It sits on Blankenship Road outside Columbia Falls; no official road mileage is published.
Can I camp at the gravel bar?
The Forest Service closes the Blankenship Southwest area to camping and motorized use during high water; outside the closure it is an undeveloped gravel bar with no facilities.
What are the fishing rules here?
From the confluence downstream the river is open all year with catch-and-release for cutthroat and no intentional fishing for bull trout; the upper mainstem to the Highway 2 bridge is single-pointed hooks only.
When is the whitefish run?
FWP says the Flathead River run starts mid-September, peaks mid-October to mid-November and lasts into January.
Are there restrooms or a boat ramp?
No facilities are listed by the Forest Service or FWP for this site; it is a gravel-bar access, not a developed fishing access site.
Sources
- Google Reviews
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated September 2026. Report an issue.