Having grown up around the Rocky Mountains, I kind of took its rugged natural beauty and grandeur for granted. Glacier National Park is one of the many places in the region that I feel like everyone should visit, offering an incomparable opportunity to experience nature in its rawest form.
From untamed river rapids to breathtaking serenity, there’s something for everyone here – though I always recommend going whitewater rafting. It may look a bit daunting, but going on one of these top white water rafting tours in Glacier National Park puts you in the care of expert guides.
If you want the chance to explore remote corners of the park that few visitors are ever able to see, look no further than this carefully curated guide of the 5 best!
Best White Water Rafting Tours in Glacier National Park
| Full Day Whitewater Adventure Trip with Included Lunch | Half Day Whitewater Rafting Trip in Glacier National Park | Full Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure - With Lunch! | |
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| Location: | 106 Going-to-the-Sun Rd, West Glacier | 106 Going-to-the-Sun Rd, West Glacier | 11970 US-2, West Glacier |
| Start: | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM | 9:45 AM |
| Duration: | 6 hours | 2.5 hours | 5 to 6 hours |
| Includes: | Life jackets and paddles, all fees and taxes, barbecue lunch, shoe rentals $5 | All fees and taxes, handling charges, professional guide, souvenir photos available | All Fees and Taxes, wet suits, splash gear, river shoes are always free, buffet style lunch |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Tours For 2024
- Full Day Whitewater Adventure Trip with Included Lunch
- Half Day Whitewater Rafting Trip in Glacier National Park
- Full Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure – With Lunch!
- Half-Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure
- Half Day Scenic Float on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Reviews
1. Full Day Whitewater Adventure Trip with Included Lunch
- Duration: 6 hours
- Departure: 106 Going-to-the-Sun Rd, West Glacier
- Departure Time: 9:30 AM
- Includes: Life jackets and paddles, all fees and taxes, barbecue lunch, shoe rentals $5
My personal preference, is that I always enjoy a good trip out on the rapids and make a whole day of it. Once you’re out in the fresh air, with the smell of the pine trees, and the cool water splashing around, you just don’t want to cut it short.
That’s one of the many reasons why I love the Full Day Whitewater Adventure Trip with Included Lunch, clocking in at 6 hours.
This is one of the longest tours of its kind, and that’s because it’s much more than literally just the whitewater rafting.
You’ll be able to really experience a wide spectrum of beauty, keeping on the lookout for local flora and fauna, paddling down the calm Middle Fork waters, and even enjoying a tasty lunch.
If you’re looking for a fantastic all-day activity to take the kids to, I’d highly recommend giving this one a look first. Typically starting off quite early in the morning, we met at the tour offices, where we were given a safety briefing and asked all the questions we had.
They then helped us out with shoe rentals, life jackets, and getting paddles ready, so everyone was ready.
I appreciated that they offered a wide variety of routes, from the serene sections of the river where we just floated around, to the more challenging Class II and III rapids on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.
There was never a moment in time where I felt unsafe or worried, and our guide did a great job of narrating throughout, ensuring everyone felt good. In the middle of the tour, we made a stop that made sense, fueling up with a mouthwatering barbecue lunch right on the beautiful riverbank.
They pointed out some deer, eagles, and plenty of interesting fish, which only enriched the experience further for my group!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Half Day Whitewater Rafting Trip in Glacier National Park
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Departure: 106 Going-to-the-Sun Rd, West Glacier
- Departure Time: 1:00 PM
- Includes: All fees and taxes, handling charges, professional guide, souvenir photos available
Not everyone has the time or interest in a longer tour in the outdoors, and that’s perfectly okay! In fact, in many cases, I’ve found shorter tours like the Half Day Whitewater Rafting Trip in Glacier National Park to be more convenient.
This one is super easy to fit into even the busiest of itineraries and is ideal if you are new to whitewater rafting and don’t want to commit to a longer tour.
I should mention that this tour is ideal for everyone, from the absolute newbies who’ve never been rafting, to the more experienced people. No experience is necessary at all, and full instruction and equipment is provided by a professional guide.
We all felt very safe, and it was clear that our guide was an expert on the sport and the region, making it so we could just enjoy the adrenaline and stunning scenery and leave the worries behind.
After check-in at their offices, we asked all the questions we have and got ready with our top-of-the-line gear and safety equipment, ready to head out to the riverbank.
Everything was very well-organized, and I felt our guide did a great job of relaying instructions and information to us which is essential when you’re dealing with category II and III rapids!
Paddling along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River is a great trip, as it ranges from some pretty intense rapids to floating along lazy portions.
Throughout the journey, I took in breathtaking views of the John Stevens Canyon and towering mountains as our backdrop, making for some great photo ops!
As we cruised along, our guide also shared some interesting facts and stories about the Flathead River’s history, along with some funny anecdotes. Overall, it felt like a good friend had taken us out on the water, and made me want to come back soon to repeat it!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Full Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure – With Lunch!
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours
- Departure: 11970 US-2, West Glacier
- Departure Time: 9:45 AM
- Includes: All Fees and Taxes, wet suits, splash gear, river shoes are always free, buffet style lunch
This is the other “longer”, full-day type of river tour on this guide, including a more extensive rafting experience, walks in Mother Nature, and a delicious lunch!
The Full Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure With Lunch! experience is one of my favorites to take my entire family on. There’s never a moment to even think about being bored – especially with a fun and friendly guide who’s there to show you all the hidden gems!
This thrilling journey starts off like the others, with heading to the tour offices to get acquainted with the staff and set off on a fun adventure in the American West’s gorgeous landscapes.
Starting off in the morning, you’ll get to witness the sun peeking right over the rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, breathing in the crisp mountain air. After our safety briefing and making sure everyone was on the same page, it was time for some fun.
The first stretch of river was nice and calm, allowing us to really ease into the more intense sections, so everyone is confident and comfortable on the water.
As soon as the serene stretch started to get more intense, we hopped off for a break for lunch! Our guide selected a charming little secluded spot surrounded by lush pine trees, and birds chirping all around us as we enjoyed an amazing buffet-style lunch!
After fueling up, we headed over to ride 9 named rapids that largely consisted of splashy Class II and Class III rapids (most famously, the Bonecrusher!).
I also enjoyed floating under the park’s historic Old Belton Bridge, taking plenty of photos and videos as we went. With no experience necessary, I recommend this tour to solo travelers, couples, and entire family and friend groups!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Half-Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Departure: 12127 US-2, West Glacier
- Departure Time: 10:15 & 11:15 AM, 2:15 & 3:15 PM
- Includes: Professional rafting guide, PFD, paddles
Next up, is the Half-Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure Tour! If you’ve been rafting before, prepare to be inspired by the jaw-dropping natural beauty you’ll see on this adventure.
It’s easily one of the most immensely gorgeous places in the world, and being able to experience in this immersive way is priceless.
I will say that while all of the guides I had in Glacier National Park were wonderful, the guide we had here was really something special. She made sure all of us were having a beyond fabulous time, while being friendly and approachable.
Her knowledge of the park’s history, the local plants and wildlife, and just about everything else also made an impact on us (there was no question she couldn’t answer)!
I’m not quite sure why this is called a half-day tour when it’s more around 2.5 to 3.5 hours long, depending on how long you and your group would like to ride for. It’s one of the few that offer both morning and afternoon departure times, to further accommodate travelers.
However, I also like this, as it’s easy to go out there and have some fun and still be back in time for lunch or dinner.
All of the gear we used was in pristine condition and clearly high-quality, which made it that much more enjoyable. We had some kids on our tour who were very well-behaved, and our guide did a great job of making sure they stayed safe and entertained.
The water was crystal-clear, where I found myself looking into the rapids often to see if I could spot any interesting fish or other freshwater critters.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Half Day Scenic Float on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Departure: 106 Going-to-the-Sun Rd, West Glacier
- Departure Time: 2:00 PM
- Includes: Life Jacket, shoe rentals are $5 once wetsuits are no longer required.
I wouldn’t be able to make a comprehensive guide on this area without including the Half Day Scenic Float on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River Tour! It’s another shorter experience ranging anywhere from around 2 to 3 hours, depending on where you’d like to explore and which class of rapids.
Of any of them, I’d say this is the best tour for children and inexperienced adults, as it’s one of the more relaxing, tranquil river tours.
We started off by meeting up with our guide at the local tour offices, where we were able to rent shoes and use wetsuits and lifejackets without charge. The shoe rentals are about 5 bucks, so make sure to keep some cash or card handy if you plan on doing this.
This is a tour that requires very little effort, and we found ourselves just floating down the river as we took in all of the amazing scenery and even keep our eyes peeled for local wildlife in its natural habitat.
For the nature lovers or photographers who are looking more for a sightseeing tour, I’d say that this is the tour that should be at the top of your list.
No having to rush around from place to place or riding so many rapids that you’re distracted by the gorgeous background. I’m a big animal lover, so I appreciated this tour for the fact that it was so tranquil that I was able to spot plenty of beautiful creatures around!
This leisurely float looked like something out of a postcard or National Geographic, with vibrant turquoise waters complemented by the rich green hills, and the jagged rocky cliffs.
If you’re on the fence about tackling actual rapids or just want a more peaceful ride, this experience is perfect for you. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who isn’t an adrenaline junkie!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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The Full Day Whitewater Adventure Trip with Included Lunch is our Editors Choice for the Best Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Tour
