Blackfoot River

Blackfoot River

Information

406-362-7000
lat: 46.9502198 long: -113.3787584

The Blackfoot River, sometimes called the Big Blackfoot River to distinguish it from the Little Blackfoot River, is a snow-fed and spring-fed river in western Montana. The Blackfoot River begins in Lewis and Clark County at the Continental Divide, 10 miles (16 km) northeast of the town of Lincoln (4536 feet, 1382 m). The river’s headwaters are between Rogers Pass (5610 ft, 1710 m) to the north and Stemple Pass (6376 ft, 1943 m) to the south. It flows westward through the town of Milltown and enters the Clark Fork River approximately five miles (8 km) east of the city of Missoula (3210 ft, 978 m).

The Blackfoot River is renowned for its recreational opportunities, most notably fly fishing, but also rafting, canoeing, and inner-tubing. The Blackfoot is a fast, cold river with many deep spots, making it prime habitat for several varieties of trout.

The river’s canyon and the valleys were formed by the Missoula Floods, cataclysmic glacial lake outburst floods which occurred at the end of the last ice age.

The Blackfoot River and the Clark Fork experienced a record flood in 1908.

The river is featured in the 1976 novella A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean, as well as the 1992 film starring Brad Pitt, directed by Robert Redford.

The Blackfoot is a Class I river from the Cedar Meadow fishing access site west of Helmville to its confluence with the Clark Fork River for public access for recreational purposes.

Nearby Attractions

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Blackfoot River Nearby attraction
Blackfoot River Nearby attraction

W89H+J7 McNamara, MT, USA
Distance: 13.99 Away

Food and Drinks

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Seeley Lake, Montana
Seeley Lake, Montana

Seeley Lake, Montana, USA
Distance: 16.60 Away

Outdoor Experiences Shopping Food and Drinks Lodging

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Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness
Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness, Rattlesnake Dr, Missoula, MT, USA
Distance: 23.28 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures
Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures

Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures, East Broadway Street, Missoula, MT, USA
Distance: 29.00 Away

Outdoor Experiences Outfitters

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Goldsmith’s Bed and Breakfast
Goldsmith’s Bed and Breakfast

Goldsmith's Airbnb, East Front Street, Missoula, MT, USA
Distance: 29.14 Away

Lodging

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Montana Museum of Art and Culture
Montana Museum of Art and Culture

Montana Museum of Art & Culture, Missoula, MT, USA
Distance: 29.24 Away

Galleries and Venues Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Big Sky Breakout
Big Sky Breakout

307 N 2nd St W, Missoula, MT 59802, USA
Distance: 29.44 Away

Fun and Sports

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Wally and Buck
Wally and Buck

Wally and Buck, East Front Street, Missoula, MT, USA
Distance: 29.46 Away

Food and Drinks

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Conflux Brewing Company
Conflux Brewing Company

Conflux Taphouse, North Pattee Street, Missoula, MT, USA
Distance: 29.49 Away

Food and Drinks Breweries and Distilleries

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The Dana Gallery
The Dana Gallery

246 N Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59802, USA
Distance: 29.54 Away

Galleries and Venues

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Missoula, Montana
Missoula, Montana

Missoula, Montana
Distance: 29.54 Away

Cultural Districts

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Radius Gallery
Radius Gallery

Radius Gallery, North Higgins Avenue, Missoula, MT, USA
Distance: 29.58 Away

Galleries and Venues

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