A.The float season varies widely depending on snow pack, rainfall and amount and timing of irrigation. The "typical" float season is from mid April thru July 4th with some floating occasionally in September. Be prepared for any and all types of weather especially rain and snow early in the float season.

A.The river is 59 river miles from Camp Baker (put-in) to Eden Bridge (take-out).  On average, floaters take 4 days to float. A minimum of two nights and three full days should be planned for at normal water levels (300 +CFS). From June 10 through July 10 floaters are restricted to 4 nights maximum stay on the river once they launch. You can help FWP comply with the Smith River Management Plan's established indicator standards for average group size and number of people in the corridor at one time by voluntarily limiting your trip to 4 days/3 nights on the river. Your voluntary action will help us avoid imposing any future restrictions on floater launches.

A.No! Of the 118 miles of shoreline along the river, only 26 miles are on public land. There are 27 boatcamps with 52 campsites along the river located on National Forest land, FWP land, DNRC State land and leased private land. The boatcamps are signed and marked on the Montana AFLOAT maps, which are given out at Camp Baker upon registration. Please camp only at the designated boatcamps. The Montana Stream Access law allows walking and fishing along the river, however, it must take place below the ordinary high water mark. Please be courteous towards landowners and do not loiter in front of cabins. Camp Baker is available for all Smith River floaters and their families to stay overnight prior to beginning their float. Due to the number and frequency of late night parties, music, and related complaints, quiet hours will be posted and enforced at Camp Baker in 2006. Noncompliance with the posted quiet hours or a second warning may result in a disqualification of your launch permit, or the opportunity to participate in the 2007 drawing.

A.All floaters are required to declare each night's campsite during the registration process at Camp Baker. Please contact the Ranger when you arrive at Camp Baker so you can check in.

A.The Smith River is considered a “Blue Ribbon” trout stream. The Smith River is mainly a rainbow and brown trout fishery. Whitefish are also quite common. A complete list of the fishing regulations can be found in the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Fishing regulations which can be found anywhere fishing license are sold. Please note that fishing licenses are not sold at Camp Baker, but may be purchased in neighboring White Sulphur Springs.

A.The Smith River is managed as part of the Montana State Parks System. Under the Smith River Management Act, the Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) Commission establishes regulations for use of the Smith River in the Smith River Special Use Area Rule. The Smith River Special Use Area Rule is posted on the FWP Smith River web site as well as on the information board at Camp Baker. You may also obtain a copy of the rules by contacting FWP at 406-454-5840. State Park use regulations also apply in the corridor controlling such activities as group size, littering, control of dogs, fires and disorderly conduct. Discharging of weapons is illegal in campsites.

A.Yes, maximum group size for a private launch permit is 15 people . You can help FWP comply with the Smith River Management Plan’s established indicator standards for average group size and number of people in the corridor at one time by voluntarily limiting your group size to eight people or less . Your voluntary action will help use avoid imposing any future restrictions on floater launches.

A.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 one is 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 fill your vehicles up with gas 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.

A.The Smith River is a non-motorized river. Rafts are used by about 65% of floaters; canoes by 24% and the remaining 11% of boats on the Smith are other types of crafts such as drift boats and kayaks. 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, we have recommended minimum flows for different types of watercraft. Drift boats generally begin to have trouble at river flows below 350 CFS, rafts below 250 CFS and canoes below 150 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 this is a river that is always changing and you should adjust accordingly.

Feel free to contact the ranger at Camp Baker (406) 547-3893 to ask about current flow levels and they can give you up to date information and advice on floating conditions.

A.You can call the USGS office in Helena at 406-457-5900. If you have Internet access go to the Montana USGS web site for Smith River flows.

A.Expect any and all types of weather conditions, especially in the spring. Snow is possible and quite common in April, May & June. The Smith flows through the middle of the Little Belt Mountains, which are conducive to dramatic and quick weather changes. Bring good raingear, a complete first aid kit, adequate warm clothing, sunscreen, an extra paddle or oar for each boat, boat repair equipment and supplies, an extra day of food, extra life jacket, extra firewood, a bucket and shovel for putting out fires. We also recommend you bring bear pepper spray with you.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, THERE MUST BE A LIFE JACKET ON BOARD ALL BOATS FOR EVERY PERSON. REMEMBER, IT MUST FIT THE INTENDED WEARER, BE READILY ACCESSIBLE AND BE IN GOOD CONDITION. CHILDREN UNDER 12 ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR ONE AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN A BOAT THAT IS IN MOTION.

A.As with fires, you should learn and practice Leave No Trace techniques with respect to human waste disposal in the backcountry. All boatcamps have open pit toilets. Please use them whenever possible. If you can't use a pit toilet, pick a spot with adequate soil cover at least 200 feet from the river and dig a shallow “cathole” six to eight inches deep. It is advisable to carry a small trowel to properly dig the hole. Bury your human waste and then fill and tamp the soil. Disguise the site by scattering leaves or grass over the disturbed area. Pack out your toilet paper. We encourage you to consider using one of the commercially available human waste pack- out systems.

A.Yes. However, firewood is scarce around the boatcamps. Plan on gathering driftwood as you float the river or bring firewood with you, please do not trespass. Firewood is also for sale at Camp Baker. Help to enhance the feeling of solitude in the canyon by not using a chainsaw. Metal firerings were installed at all boatcamps in 2003. Please use the metal firerings within each boatcamp and make sure your fire is dead out before leaving. Consider using a fire pan raised above the ground on rocks or a gas stove. We will have "loaner" fire pans available at Camp Baker if you would like to try one out. The most common type of litter left at campsites is half-burned plastic, glass, eggshells, cigarette butts and metal left in the firerings. Clean your firering after putting out your fire. If you plan on camping and having a fire at Camp Baker, firewood will be for sale at Camp Baker, or you may bring your own. You are required to have an axe, bucket and shovel when camping on Forest Service lands.

A.Throughout its length, the Smith moves quickly with sharp turns, rocky shallows and snags in/or partially across the river. There is one section of class II whitewater at river mile 47 and several sections of class II whitewater at mile 49. The current of the river can sweep you into sheer rock walls and in higher flows, eddies become very strong. In addition, there may also be float gates, downed trees and pieces of fence torn loose by high water. You should have at least intermediate skills before floating the Smith. Secure all equipment tightly in your boat and carry your gear in waterproof bags or boxes.

A.The Smith River flows through a great deal of private land. Ranchers along the Smith River graze livestock, particularly during the late summer and early fall. The fences have been installed to control the livestock in order to not hinder floaters. Most fences will have float gates (a diagram of the float gates are on the Montana AFLOAT maps which will be given to each group once they register at Camp Baker), installed with the cooperation of the landowner, allowing safe passage of your boat. Use caution when approaching and passing through the float gates. Please repay the favor by respecting the landowner's right to use the river. Don't cut fences, camp on private land without permission, litter or vandalize equipment. Please respect cabin owners privacy by moving quickly past their cabin sites. Realize that only through cooperation between the landowner and floaters will the Smith River continue to be used and preserved by all.

A.Dogs are strongly discouraged on the Smith River float., as they have become an increasing source of complaints from floaters, as well as landowners along the river. In 2005, FWP continued to receive complaints related to dog problems at Camp Baker, the boatcamps, and Eden Bridge. Numerous incidents occurred with dogs getting into food in adjacent camps, dog waste left behind, the digging of holes, the chasing of livestock and wildlife and the associated trespassing has led to unfortunate encounters along the river . Please be aware that citations will be issued for all dogs not kept on a leash and under control at all times during the 2006 float season . Please don’t bring a dog on a float this season, unless you intend to fully comply with the leash and dog control requirements.

A.Yes. Several shuttle services can move your vehicle from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge.

A.White Sulphur Springs to Camp Baker is 26 miles. Take State Secondary Road 360 (Fort Logan Road) west from White Sulphur Springs 16.6 miles to the Camp Baker turn-off.  Follow the directional signs 9.6 miles to Camp Baker.  It takes two hours (75 miles) to drive from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge on Millegan Road (State Secondary Road 360). Driving this gravel road should not be attempted during wet conditions.  Make sure to lock your vehicles and leave no valuables in your vehicle at Camp Baker or Eden Bridge. Eden Bridge is 28 miles from Great Fall via Ulm and Interstate 15. Great Falls to Camp Baker via White Sulphur Springs is 123 miles.

A.Yes, but they are strictly limited, both in the total number of outfitters and the number of launches that each outfitter is allotted. Outfitters are allowed one launch per day except from the last week of May through the first week of July when they are allowed two launches on Sundays and Wednesdays. If you hire or retain the services of a person or a company to float this river with anyone other than these authorized outfitters, you are likely involved with an illegal outfitting activity. Please report such activities to FWP. Click here to view outfitter services.

A.Floaters can help by washing all the mud off their vehicles, trailers and boating equipment before they show up at Camp Baker. Brochures addressing noxious weeds and whirling disease are available at Camp Baker.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks receives federal funds and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, or a handicap.  For information or concerns regarding discrimination, contact the Personnel Officer, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 1420 East Sixth Avenue, Helena, Montana 59620, (406) 444-2535, or Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.