
Montana Whitewater runs an 8-mile half-day Yellowstone River Run with Class II-III rapids and opportunities to swim and relax. The full-day covers 18 miles and includes a riverside picnic. Gear is included with the trip, and check-in is 30 minutes before departure in Gardiner, MT.
BOOK IF: You want a guided Yellowstone-adjacent whitewater trip with gear included. SKIP IF: You’re after extreme rapids or a self-guided trip.
Private boat options; riverside picnic on full-day; gear included; proximity to Yellowstone's North Entrance
The van arrives with backup sizes; gear-fitting is professional; punctual shuttles are standard; reviewers note reliability
Gear includes PFDs, helmets, wetsuits; provided; gear quality aligns with safety expectations
Book 37 days in advance for best rates; private boats available; cancellation flexibility (48 hours) improves commitment
Mid-May to mid-September. May can be cold with higher spring flows; peak season is June–August. Book about 37 days in advance for half-day trips.
Yellowstone River Run
Notify trip leader of medical conditions; consult a doctor if overweight or mobility issues
Life jackets (PFDs), helmets, wetsuits, booties, splash jackets, and river shoes
Swimsuit or quick-dry clothing; water shoes; sunscreen; hat; sunglasses with strap; towel; change of dry clothes; waterproof bag
48-hour cancellation for a full refund; within 48 hours charged the full price
Limited ADA-accessible facilities; uneven terrain at launch; assistance available from staff
Half-day trips suit kids 6+, but ensure they can paddle and tolerate cooler water; shorter ride may be better for younger children
To Park Center
Gardiner office is just outside the North Entrance; Mammoth to Gardiner ~12 minutes (5.3 miles).
Based on 408 Google reviews
Based on 408 guest reviews
" Reliable safety briefings and consistently well-run logistics; gear is included and private-boat options add flexibility for small groups"
Jorden Bonsel
We had the pleasure of having Jade and Skylar guide us through the beautiful mountains of Yellowstone. We saw wild life, views for days, enjoyed many laughs and they even helped me conquer my deathly fear of heights. I might still be afraid but I would definitely do this tour again!
Sarah Avery
Great staff, great location, super fun time!My partner and I were in Yellowstone last week for vacation and decided on the half-day, 8-mile adventure option with Montana Whitewater- Yellowstone at the Gardiner location. This experience was awesome! I’d never been whitewater rafting before this, and admittedly I was nervous though excited going in. The adventure started off at their very cool office location and consisted of an easy check-in, great views overlooking the river, and smooth gear up, clothing change. The transition to the bus was easy and the drive to the river spot was very quick. The safety brief was led by Josie at the river entrance. Josie is a phenomenal leader and was very clear in her instructions, gave visual demonstrations alongside, and ensured we were all clear on our expectations and safety while in the river. 12/10 Josie! Walking the boat in the last ~20 feet at the river entrance was a little nerve-racking as we did have to carry the boat over some riverbed rocks to get into the water. No falls or slips happened- yay! It was the hardest part of the experience though. There were three guides for our trip: Josie, Emily, and Jordan. Our boat was led by Jordan, and he was very cool. Jordan guided us well through the rapids and answered my ~many~ questions as a first time rafter. Emily was in the boat in front of us and let me give a shout out to her, she was working so hard on the river and really carried her boat. Way to go Emily! Josie, we heard cheers from your boat, as well as Emily's, sounded like everyone had a great time; great job to you too. We all got to see some wildlife including a bald eagle and Mergansers, and we heard and saw history along the river too. The rapids are exciting and so much fun! I got splashed plenty of times and loved it so wear swimsuit underneath your clothes or their complimentary wetsuits. All in all, I would do this same experience again. I had an outstanding first time whitewater rafting on this river with a great boat and lovely guides! This experience is great for friend groups, birthday parties, families, special occasions- like bachelorette/ milestone parties, and in general, team bonding. Thank you to the entire staff for a great experience, fun time, and awesome photos. Thank you and shout also to Ingram :) Sarah
noam zevit
What a great rafting outfit. Everything was on time. Elijah was a great guide. He gives everyone confidence that he is a professional and we were in good hands, he is knowledgeable about the river the history and nature all speckled along the way with a great sense of humor.We did this with our kids aged 11, 14, 16. And all had fun. We did the 8 miles on the Yellowstone river.
Showing 3 of 408 reviews
No prior rafting experience required. Guides run the trip and provide a safety briefing; you just need to be able to paddle and follow instructions.
Gear is included (PFDs, helmets, wetsuits, booties, splash jackets, river shoes) plus instruction and shuttle; typical self-gear costs add up, so the all-in price is competitive for a guided trip.
Yes. Full refund with 48-hour notice; weather-related cancellations are handled as full refunds.
Minimum age is generally 6; kids 6–12 ride at child rates. Some trips allow non-paddlers in the raft middle; ensure your child is comfortable with water and following instructions.
Yes, with a safety briefing, certified guides, and gear designed for warmth and protection; half-day is typically a good starting point for families.
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