A permit and payment of fees is required to float year-round. River Rangers will call permit holders, in a randomly selected order, between and pm MDT to complete the registration process, which includes listing party members and number and type of watercraft, choosing boat camps and paying float fees via credit card. Float groups will be expected to arrive at Camp Baker on the day of their scheduled launch date no later than pm MDT to receive their copy of the registration form, boat tags, river maps and floater log and to receive the mandatory ranger safety and orientation talk.
What is the procedure once I arrive at Camp Baker? Upon arrival on the day of your scheduled launch date, locate an unoccupied area in the grass island between the two boat launches where you can socially distance from other float groups. A river ranger will greet you and deliver your packet of materials which includes a copy of your registration form, boat tags, river maps and a floater log. The ranger will present the mandatory safety and orientation talk at some point prior to your launch.
Please do not occupy the boat ramp s until you have received your packet of materials, listened to the ranger safety and orientation talk and are prepared to launch. Prep boats and gear, as much is possible, in the grassy island staging areas. Due to the lack of space to park boats once loaded, please be prepared to shove off ASAP. Launching loaded boats from a trailer is possible at both ramps, but best from the downstream boat ramp. Hand launching boats is best done from the upstream boat ramp.
Please do your best to share the ramp s and respect other users. How many days does it take to float the Smith River? The float is 59 river miles from Camp Baker put-in to Eden Bridge take-out. On average, floaters take four days to float.
Factor in probable river flows, distances you wish to cover each day and the type of experience you are seeking. Is there a limit to the number of nights allowed on the Smith River?
During the peak season of May 15 through July 15, floaters are limited to a maximum of four nights camping. The four-night limit includes nights spent at private cabins or guest ranches. Layover nights two or more nights at the same camp are permitted at mid-canyon boat camps Two Creek to Upper Parker , however, only one layover night is permitted during the high use season May July Can we camp and fish anywhere on the Smith River? Of the miles of shoreline along the river, only 26 miles are public land.
The boat camps are signed and marked on the Smith River maps, which are distributed at Camp Baker upon registration. Please camp only at the designated boat camps. The Montana Stream Access law allows walking and fishing along the river within the ordinary high-water mark. As a courtesy to landowners, please refrain from stopping in front of cabins and homes along the river. Camp Baker is available for all Smith River floaters and their families to stay overnight prior to beginning their float.
What type of fish are in the Smith River? The Smith River is predominantly a rainbow and brown trout fishery. Whitefish are also common. Please note that fishing licenses are not sold at Camp Baker but may be purchased in the nearby town of White Sulphur Springs.
What special regulations apply to floating the Smith River? Regulations specific to the Smith River can be found on page 9. State Park Public Use Regulations also apply in the corridor pertaining to littering, fires, firearms, fireworks, disorderly conduct and the prohibition of drones.
If this is the case, the fence must meet required specifications. However, this fence is more applicable to use in situations involving longer term base camps where the fence is in place for several days.
Learn more ways you can Be Bear Aware. Is there a maximum group size for floating parties? Yes, maximum group size for private and outfitted groups is 15 people. What services are offered on the Smith River? The Smith flows through a remote canyon. There are no public services from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge.
You must carry all your own food, water, safety and camping equipment and fishing license. It is advisable to bring all the drinking water you will need for the duration of your trip, as there is no drinking water available at Camp Baker. There are no trash dumpsters at Camp Baker, but two are available at the Eden Bridge takeout along with an aluminum-recycling center. You can obtain supplies, overnight accommodations, gasoline, water and information at White Sulphur Springs on your way to the put-in.
You should top-off your gas tank while in White Sulphur Springs. Cascade, Great Falls and Ulm are the closest services to the Eden Bridge takeout, with gas stations at each town.
Can I hire a person to perform services for me during my float trip Example: Row gear boat, cook meals, camp set-up etc. Hiring a person, group or organization to perform any type of service for compensation during a private permitted float trip on the Smith River is illegal outfitting.
There are seven 7 commercial outfitters who are authorized and permitted by Montana State Parks and the United States Forest Service to conduct commercial float trips on the Smith River. However, these outfitters are allocated a specific number of launches on specific days throughout the float season and conduct fully outfitted float trips for persons not possessing a private float permit.
They are not authorized to provide specific services for private permit holders. There is one section of class II whitewater at river mile 47 and several sections of class II whitewater at mile The current of the river can sweep you into sheer rock walls and in higher flows, eddies can be very strong.
In addition, floaters may encounter float gates, downed trees and pieces of fence torn loose by high water. You should possess, at a minimum, intermediate rowing or paddling skills before floating the Smith. Secure all equipment tightly in your boat and carry your gear in waterproof bags or boxes. What kind of boats can be used on the Smith River and at what river flows? The Smith River is a non-motorized river. Rafts and canoes are the most appropriate craft, although inflatable and solid-body kayaks, rowboats and drift boats are also taken down the river.
Drift boats are particularly difficult during low water conditions. To help floaters, Montana State Parks recommends minimum flows for different types of watercraft. Drift boats generally begin to have trouble at river flows below cfs, rafts below cfs and canoes below cfs. This does not mean that different watercraft types will not have trouble floating at levels above those given.
These are estimated levels listed to assist floaters in planning their trip. Remember that the river is always changing, and you should adjust accordingly. Feel free to contact the ranger at Camp Baker to ask about current flow levels and up to date information and advice on floating conditions.
What other type of equipment should we bring? Expect all types of weather conditions, especially in the spring. Snow is possible and quite common in April and May and occasionally in June. The Smith River flows between the Little Belt and Big Belt mountain ranges, which are conducive to dramatic and quick weather changes. Unsuccessful applicants can also book a trip with one of the eight approved Smith River outfitters, listed below.
To help preserve the unique quality of the Smith River canyon, overnight camping must take place at designated boat camps. Since the Smith River flows through a remote canyon, there are some things to keep in mind for this adventure; there are no public services from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge.
Floaters must carry their own food, water, safety, camping equipment and a fishing license. It is advisable to bring all the drinking water you will need for the duration of your trip, as there is no drinking water available at the put-in location of Camp Baker.
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