Paddle & Pedal Spring Adventure
About this Combo Trip
Raft Glacier’s border river in the morning, then bike in the afternoon! Full day adventure, lunch and dinner included.
Pricing
Regular Bike: $286 (Wed & Sat only) – guided rafting, biking, lunch and dinner is included
E-Bike: $377 (Th-F, Sun-Tues) - guided rafting, biking, lunch and dinner is included
Other Price: 8% River User Fee and Glacier National Park Entrance Fee (not included in price)
Guide Tip: Industry rate 18-20% (not included in price)
Dates & Times
Dates: Daily between mid May – late June. When the Going to the Sun Road opens to vehicle traffic, this combination experience closes.
Time: 10:15 AM – 7:30 PM. Please arrive at our office by 9:45 AM. Directions are here.
Morning Paddle
Time: 9:45 AM meeting time, 10:15 AM launch
Trip Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Start your Raft and Bike Glacier adventure with the Paddle portion of the day! Meet at our office at 9:45am for a 10:15am whitewater rafting departure.
Enjoy our Half Day Glacier National Park whitewater rafting trip on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Follow the simple commands of your guide and be part of the crew that paddles the raft through the 9 named rapids. The river winds through about 8 miles of the John F. Stevens Canyon. Rapids are typically class II and III. This means a fun and splashy whitewater rafting adventure!
Afternoon Pedal
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1:30 meeting time, 2:00 p.m. departure, early May until the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens to vehicles
Trip Duration: Typically 4 – 5 hours, depending on road conditions/availability
Distance: About 16-42 miles, depending on road conditions
Elevation Gain: up to 3,345′
Destination: Logan Pass, depending on road conditions.
We guide bike tours — on e-bikes or regular bikes — in Glacier National Park from early May through mid-late June. In the spring, the alpine section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to vehicles but open to hiker-biker traffic. Biking the Sun Road is the ultimate spring adventure in Glacier! We take advantage of the warmth and the beautiful light with an afternoon departure. This timing also typically ensures that the plow crew is finished up, too. That way, we can bike as far as possible.
What To Bring
Dress to get wet! Bring a bathing suit to wear under a wetsuit, in case they’re required on the day you’re going rafting, and they often are in the spring, when this combination trip is offered. Wear sandals that strap to your feet or borrow our river booties to keep your feet warm. Secure your eyewear – we sell straps if you need them. Check out our Packing List – Day Trips for more information about what you need — in short, not much!
Safety First
Safety is always our #1 priority. Guides train in river rescue techniques, first aid, and more. Many guides return year after year. If conditions call for wetsuits and river shoes, or if you would prefer to wear splash gear, it is always available at no extra cost. Helmets and life jackets are mandatory.
Additional Trip Details
Dress to get wet! Bring a bathing suit to wear under a wetsuit, in case they’re required on the day you’re going rafting, and they often are in the spring, when this combination trip is offered. Wear sandals that strap to your feet or borrow our river booties to keep your feet warm. Secure your eyewear – we sell straps if you need them. Check out our Packing List – Day Trips for more information about what you need — in short, not much!
First, meet your guide. Afterwards, get fitted for lifejackets, helmets, and any other necessary equipment, such as wetsuits. If you have an epi-pen or other medication, your guide will stow it safely for you in a dry bag. Next, take a short bus ride — approximately 20 minutes — to the river. Your guide will launch the boat. From there, start the float down the stunning Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Flathead River!
You start on a mellow section of the river. This gives you plenty of time to learn paddle strokes, and adjust to being on the water. The rapids are towards the second half of the trip. After tackling the whitewater, float under Glacier National Park’s historic Belton Bridge – the original entrance to the park. Take out in West Glacier. From there, it’s a 5 minute bus ride back to where you started, at Glacier Guides and Montana Raft.
The length of the trip depends on river flow. In May and June, whitewater rafting trips typically last about 2 hours.
No experience is necessary.
No maximum weight. Life jacket maximum size is 58″ chest. Life jackets and helmets are mandatory. Wetsuits, splash gear, and booties may also be required, at no charge.
Trips depart rain or shine.
Raft and Bike: Afternoon Itinerary
12:30 PM – Return from paddling the whitewater section of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River! Next, pick up your delicious, hearty sack lunch. Head out to our shaded pavilion to enjoy it.
1:30 PM – Check back into the office to prepare for your biking tour! Meet your guide. Next, get fitted for a bike and helmet.
2:00 PM – Depart for your bike tour. Typically, we bike on the iconic Going to the Sun Road, from the Avalanche trailhead up into the alpine section, but please see above.
7:30 PM – Return to Glacier Guides and Montana Raft.
