Have you ever canoed the Yellowstone River? I'm planning a trip on the lower Yellowstone from around Miles City to North Dakota border.

How was it? Anything to be aware of? I do know Pompey Piller is where Louis & Clark carved their names in.

Just gathering as much info as possible.

Thanks

I have often thought about that route, but have never done it. I am also interested in hearing any response to this trip.

dave

Anyone ever paddled the Yellowstone? If so, what information can you share? My sister lives in Bozeman and it might make for a nice little expedition while we're out there next summer.

One of my uncles used to live in Livingston, and I’ve seen stretches of the Yellowstone River from Gardiner to Glendive. All looked pretty tame from land, but I haven’t canoed it. I tried looking for a map of the river with no luck. One of the hazards mentioned at the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks site were(low-head)diversion dams. It says they need to be portaged around. The site linked below says these are located downstream from Billings. This site also says that access to the river is excellent throughout Paradise Valley (Gardiner to Livingston) but with that brings lots of people.

BigSky Fishing

I haven't paddled it, but I spent some time around it in August. The section coming out of Yellowstone Lake and thru the Nat'l Park was very technical...several Class V runs and one at least totally unrunnable. Portaging around would have involved climbing up to the park road and walking down .... I've heard the further north and east you go, the milder it becomes and has to be a beautiful paddle thru some great country.

quote Longpaddler: "I haven't paddled it, but I spent some time around it in August. The section coming out of Yellowstone Lake and thru the Nat'l Park was very technical...several Class V runs and one at least totally unrunnable. Portaging around would have involved climbing up to the park road and walking down .... I've heard the further north and east you go, the milder it becomes and has to be a beautiful paddle thru some great country.

Lol! Technical?

Lower Falls

Technically illegal in the park, too.

Bumping this to the top. Anyone done this? Know of canoe rental options? I'd bring all gear but wouldn't want to drive that far with a canoe on the roof.

And I'd only be interested in the section from around Livingston (or there about) and eastward.

Can't help you with logistics but you might want to check out the book "Yellowstone Drift" by John Holt. He definitely has a quirky writing style but the book does give some flavor of what paddling on the lower Yellowstone can be like.