Applications for the Smith River Permit lottery were accepted January 6, 2014 – February 20, 2014. The application period is now closed.

Permit results are posted online starting March 4, 2014 at MyFWP on fwp.mt.gov. Only successful applicants will be notified. FWP no longer notifies unsuccessful permit applicants.

If you aren't awarded a permit, you still have a chance to float the Smith River by calling the Smith River Reservation & Information Line at (406) 454-5861 beginning March 17 (between 8am and Noon, Monday through Friday) to request any remaining launch dates or cancelled permits. You can also book a trip with one of the eight approved Smith River outfitters listed below.

Up to 15 people can float with one permit. A person applying for a Smith River permit must be a minimum of 12 years of age at the time they submit their permit application. There is no age restriction to participate on a Smith River float trip.

Peak Season Waiting Period- A person who receives a permit through the lottery for a launch date during the time period of May 15 through July 15 (peak season) will not be allowed to apply for a permit for this same time period the following year. They may still apply for launch dates outside of the peak season, accompany another permitted trip on any date, or acquire a cancelled permit for any date.

In addition to the regular private float trip permits, FWP issues one Super Permit each year through a separate lottery (see information below). The recipient of the permit will be allowed to launch on any date of their choosing for that year.

The period to purchase chances for the Smith River "Super Permit" has closed. It was January 6 thru March 20, 2014.

Montana State Parks issues one Super Permit each year through a separate lottery. The recipient of the super permit will be allowed to launch on any date of their choosing for that season. Float fees are not included with the Super Permit and must be paid when registering at Camp Baker. There is no limit to the number of chances someone may purchase ($5 per chance). The money from the sale of Super Permit chances will directly benefit the Smith River Corridor Enhancement Account.

The Super Permit lucky winner is announced in March of each year and notified in person by the Smith River State Park Manager.

If you aren't awarded a permit, you still have a chance to float the Smith River by calling the Smith River Reservation & Information Line at (406) 454-5861 beginning March 17, 2014 (between 8am and Noon, Monday through Friday) to request any remaining launch dates or cancelled permits. Unsuccessful applicants can also book a trip with one of the eight approved Smith River outfitters listed below.

Smith River Flow Data

Be a good steward and help protect Montana’s public lands by following these rules and regulations:

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.

Smith River State Park and River Corridor Biennial Fee Rule, 2012
( 407 KB) contains detailed information about rules, fees and other guidelines.

The Smith River is a special place. As a visitor, you have the responsibility to be a steward of the land and the fishery, as well as respect private property and the experiences of other floaters.

Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics

Angler & Boating Ethics – River recreationists can avoid conflicts by being considerate of all users.
Learn more »

Respect Private Property – Approximately 80% of the property through the Smith River corridor is private property. The success of Smith River State Park & River Corridor depends upon cooperation with private property owners.
Learn more »

Fishing Ethics – Be aware of how you can prevent the spread of aquatic disease and exotic species, and protect waterbirds.
Learn more »

The following list of commercial outfitters are the only outfitters permitted and authorized by both Montana FWP and the U.S. Forest Service to provide float trips on the Smith River in 2014. It is illegal for any unauthorized outfitter or individual to provide commercial services to Smith River floaters (This does not apply to vehicle shuttles or bed and breakfasts).

If you wish to hire the services of an outfitter, do not apply for a private permit in the drawing, since each outfitter is allocated a specific number of launches for specific days of the week and month. Outfitter launch calendar

• Big Sky Expeditions (BSE)
• Garry Stocker
• 3180 Dredge Drive, Suite A
• Helena, MT 59602
• Phone: (406) 442-2630

• Blackfoot River Outfitters (BRO)
• John Herzer
• 4555 Mallard Way
• Missoula, MT 59808
• Phone: (406) 542-7411

• Blast & Cast Outfitters (B & C)
• Todd France
• P.O. Box 824
• Ennis, MT 59729
• Phone: (406) 682-4420

• Glacier Wilderness Guides (GWG)
• Randy Gayner
• P.O. Box 330
• West Glacier, MT 59936
• Phone: (800) 521-7238

• Lewis & Clark Expeditions (L&C)
• Mike Geary
• 270 Tuke Lane
• Twin Bridges, MT 59754
• Phone: (406) 459-2030

• Missoula Fishing Company (MZ FC)
• Erik Hess
• 307 Mary Avenue
• Missoula, MT 59801
• Phone: (406) 544-5208

• Montana Flyfishing Connection (MFFC)
• Joe Sowerby
• P.O. Box 17701
• Missoula, MT 59808
• Phone: ( 406) 370-2868

• Pro Outfitters (PRO)
• Brandon Boedecker
• P.O. Box 621
• Helena, MT 59624
• Phone: (800) 858-3497

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) provides this list of private services (shuttles, equipment rentals, and accommodations) solely for the convenience of the recreating public. In providing this list FWP assumes no liability whatsoever for any loss incurred by anyone, including any person who may choose to make use of these services nor does FWP make any express or implied warranty or representation of competency or fitness of these services.

Shuttles and Equipment Rentals

• Amy's Think Wild Shuttle Service
• Charles Rogerson
• P.O. Box 513
• White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
• (406) 547-2215
• Services offered: Vehicle shuttles.

• CrossCurrents Fly Shop
• Chris Strainer, Jennifer Harris
• 326 N Jackson
• Helena, MT 59601
• (406) 449-2292
• E-mail: crosscurrentsflyshop@gmail.com
• Website: crosscurrents.com
• Services offered: Full service boat and equipment rental and sales only. Rentals include new to one year old AIRE and NRS self-bailing rafts with NRS adjustable rowing and fishing frames, inflatable kayaks and canoes, personal pontoons, SUP boards, flat bed trailers; river camping equipment including dry bags, dry boxes, super coolers, cots and shelters; and fly fishing gear including Orvis rods, reels, waders, and boots. Multi-day rental specials offered.

• Craig Madsen’s Montana River Outfitters
• Craig Madsen, Tim McKnight
• 923 10th Ave North
• Great Falls, MT 59401
• (406) 761-1677 or 1-800-800-8218
• E-mail: mro@montana.com
• Website: montanariveroutfitters.com
• Services offered:Rentals, shuttles and sales of rafts, catarafts, canoes, kayaks, inflatable kayaks, personal pontoons, SUP boards, and trailers. Our rafts are 2013 & 2014, state of the art, self-bailing boats complete with Smith River specialized and adjustable NRS rowing and fishing frames, with multi-day discounts. Complete river camping and fishing equipment rentals are available. Vehicle shuttles can be provided, as well as full service pick up and drop off service for people and equipment. Deluxe rental packages are a popular option, which include boats, camping, cooking gear, food packed in coolers and delivered to the put in and picked up at the take out.

• Outdoor Supply and Rental
• Tobey McGuirl
• 2307 Brooks St.
• Missoula, MT 59801
• (406) 541-6727
• E-mail: info@outdoorsupplyandrental.com
• Website: outdoorsupplyandrental.com
• Services offered: Raft and camping equipment rental and sales including: rafts with rowing and fishing frames, kayaks, canoes, trailers, camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags, pads and dry bags. Smith River trip multi-day rental specials offered.

• Rubber Ducky River Rentals
• Marlie Anderson; Sissy Hampton
• 15 Mount Baldy
• P.O. Box 808
• Livingston, MT 59047
• (406) 222-3746
• E-mail: info@riverservices.com
• Website: riverservices.com
• Services offered: Boat rentals only, including: rafts with rowing and fishing frames, kayaks, canoes, catarafts, trailer, and equipment rental and sales. Smith River trip rental specials offered.

• Smith River Shuttle
• Jody & Caroline Cox
• 1699 Millegan Road
• Great Falls, MT 59405
• Located 1/2 mile from the Eden Bridge take-out.
• (406) 866-3522 or 1-866-500-3522
• Services offered: Vehicle shuttles.

Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts

• All Seasons Inn & Suites
• 808 3rd Avenue SW
• P.O. Box 318
• White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
• (406) 547-8888
• Reservations: (877) 314-0241
• Fax: (406) 547-2573
• E-mail: info@allseasonsinnandsuites.net
• Website: allseasonsinnandsuites.net
• Services offered: hotel, open 24 hours, continental breakfast, free WI-FI, business services, free floater parking, ice, large sulphur-free hot tub, and guest laundry.

• Heaven On Earth Ranch
• Gary Anderson
• PO Box 270
• Ulm, MT 59485
• (406) 866-3316
• Services offered: Bed & Breakfast (Mile 28) – Golf, ice, firewood, cabins. By reservation only.

Smith River Boat Camps GPS Data ( 68 KB)

Launch Choice Report ( 16 KB) – See how many Smith River Permit applicants applied for specific dates on the calendar the previous year, including first, second and third choices and the grand total.

Smith River Management Plan ( 6.0 MB) – To ensure that the resources are protected and the Smith River experience remains high, this plan directs the long range development and management of the river corridor.

2013 Smith River Annual Report ( 1.9 MB) – A summary of visitor use statistics, management activities and resource and social conditions on the Smith River corridor during the 2013 field season.

Smith River State Park and River Corridor Biennial Rule, 2012 ( 384 KB) – Fees and administrative rules for private, commercial and landowner float trips in Smith River State Park.

In honor of Montana State Parks’ 75th anniversary, Montana artist Monte Dolack was commissioned to paint “Smith River in June.” The painting was made possible by a generous gift from the Lee and Donna Metcalf Charitable Foundation and was donated to Montana State Parks. Prints of the painting are available for sale on the Montana State Parks online store with all proceeds benefitting Montana State Parks.

The painting was unveiled in a ceremony with artist Monte Dolack (left) and Governor Steve Bullock. The original artwork will hang in the state capitol throughout Montana State Parks’ 75th anniversary year.

Enjoy this short 4 minute film about Monte Dolack's creation of "Smith River in June." Justin Lubke and Story Road Films produced the film short in partnership with Montana State Parks.

Governor Steve Bullock and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks established an Advisory Council that advises the Department on issues related to management and stewardship of recreational, natural and cultural resources associated with Smith River State Park and River Corridor.

Meetings

Next Meeting

• Tuesday, January 13, 2015
• 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Montana WILD Education Center
• 2668 Broadwater Ave
• Helena, MT 59601

Previous Meetings

October 20, 2014

• Meeting Agenda ( 110 KB)

September 16, 2014

• Meeting Minutes ( 77 KB)
• Meeting Agenda ( 24 KB)

Members

• Jane Kollmeyer, Citizen Representative
  2440 LeGrande Cannon Rd.
  Helena, MT 59601
  406-250-7227
  tjchute@msn.com
  Term ends: July 1, 2016
• Joe Lamson, Citizen Representative
  612 Touchstone Court
  Helena, MT 59601
  406-202-2636
  joelamson@bresnan.net
  Term ends: July 1, 2016
• Triel Culver, Citizen Representative
  4332 Ridgewood Lane South
  Billings, MT 59106
  406-670-9317
  triel@edwardslawfirm.org
  Term ends: July 1, 2016
• Mike Meloy, Corridor Landowner Representative
  PO Box 1241
  Helena, MT 59624
  406-431-3927
  mike@meloylawfirm
  Term ends: July 1, 2016
• Joe Sowerby, Outfitter Representative
  PO Box 17701
  Missoula, MT 59808
  406-370-2868
  jsowerby@montana.com
  Term ends: July 1, 2016
• John Metrione, US Forest Service Representative
  USFS Region 1
  Lewis & Clark National Forest, Belt Ranger District
  406-236-5511 ext. 5102
  jmetrione@fs.fed.us
• Mary Sexton, Montana State Parks & Recreation Board Representative
  P.O. Box 1303
  Choteau, MT 59422
  (406) 590-2751
  msexton@3rivers.net
• Grant Grisak
  FWP Fisheries Division Representative
  1420 E. Sixth Ave
  PO Box 200701
  Helena, MT 59620-0701
  (406) 454-5853
  ggrisak@mt.gov
• Colin Maas
  FWP Parks Division Representative and Council Chair.
  4600 Giant Springs Road
  Great Falls, MT 59405
  (406) 454-5857
  cmaas@mt.gov

• Charter ( 600 KB)