CLARK FORK RIVER: MILLTOWN STATE PARK TO DOWNTOWN MISSOULA T H R E E R I V E R S C O L L A B O R AT I V E
OUR RIVERS Rivers provide tremendous natural,
MISSOULA RIVER GUIDE & MAP
recreational, and economic benefits to Missoula. They sustain life for fish and
CLARK FORK RIVER Milltown State Park to Downtown Missoula
wildlife, while keeping us close to nature.
TAYLAR ROBBINS/DESTINATION MISSOULA
Whether you are visiting for a day or are a lifelong resident, we all play a role in caring for Missoula’s rivers. Thank you for keeping the rivers healthy and safe for all! MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
DESTINATIONMISSOULA.ORG/DOWNTOWN-RIVER-MAP
TAYLAR ROBBINS/DESTINATION MISSOULA
KEEP THE RIVER CLEAN & HEALTHY
BE SAFE
PARKING
• P ack out all trash: grab a free mesh river bag at a grocery or hardware store to collect your trash
Rivers are powerful natural systems that should be respected.
• Use designated restrooms and porta-potties
• Life jackets improve safety and are your best friend on the water
Parking congestion creates challenges for neighbors, land managers, and public safety. Consider carpooling, transit or shuttle services, and/or rideshare options. Park only in designated areas. Do not park on Tamarack Road/Juniper Drive from the junction of Highway 200 to the entrance of the Confluence Area of Milltown State Park.
• Observe wildlife from a distance
BE FRIENDLY
• Do not bring glass to river access areas or on your float trip
• Put in and take out at designated locations
• Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous—be responsible when drinking alcohol on and around the river
• D o not block roads or access to the launch area and be thoughtful of others
TRANSPORTATION
Remember, you’re sharing the river with others.
• P repare outside the boat launch area and clear the launch area as soon as possible • Be prepared to encounter and yield to other river users • P rofanity and obnoxious behavior are inappropriate and offensive • R espect private property and neighboring landowners. Do not trespass • O utside of public access areas, stay below the ordinary high-water mark
Because parking is limited at all sites, consider: • CARPOOL: Missoula In Motion’s Carpool Finder • BIKE IT: www.tiny.cc/MissoulaBikeMap • ZERO-FARE MOUNTAIN LINE: Route 4 to the river (Tamarack Road or Milltown State Park) • RIDESHARE: Uber, Lyft, Green Cab, Yellow Taxi • MONTANA ADVENTURE SHUTTLE, LLC: 406.493.2345, www.mtshuttle.com • CLARK FORK YACHT CLUB: www.clarkforkyachtclub.com
RIVER ACCESS AT MILLTOWN STATE PARK The Confluence Area of Milltown State Park offers floaters hand-carry access to the river. There’s no parking along the interior park road but room for 80 vehicles at the parking area. Please be aware that out-of-state vehicles are subject to an $8 nonresident entry fee. The gate is closed and locked nightly and reopened at 9 am. No overnight parking allowed. Outside the park, there is additional parking along the road at the end of Juniper Drive. The gated railroad underpass leads pedestrians to the parking area and river. The park’s walk-in hours are sunrise to sunset.
LEARN MORE • Fish, Wildlife & Parks: www.fwp.mt.gov • Montana State Parks, Milltown State Park: www.stateparks.mt.gov/milltown
HAVE FUN
JOIN US!
People, partnerships and a shared stewardship vision have sustained the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, and Bitterroot Rivers’ natural values and recreation experiences. River users can thank dozens of private landowners, public land managers and nonprofit partners for decades of stewardship along these rivers. In supporting these organizations and their work, you join a community of people dedicated to the long-term vibrancy of western Montana’s rivers.
This project was spearheaded by the Three Rivers Collaborative, a group of community members working together for the benefit of Missoula-area rivers and the people who value them. Please join us! threeriverscollaborative@gmail.com
RIVER AMBASSADORS Need a hand on the river? Look for our River Ambassadors in the bright shirts at any access point! They’re happy to help you find the best access, avoid conflict with other users, leave no trace and recreate responsibly on the water. For more information on the River Ambassadors, please go to www.clarkfork.org.
RECREATE RESPONSIBLY
MAP AND BROCHURE DESIGNED BY WINDFALL, INC. WINDFALLSTUDIO.COM
CLARK FORK RIVER: MILLTOWN STATE PARK TO DOWNTOWN MISSOULA mile 2
The Milltown Dam was removed from the confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers in 2008 as part of Superfund remediation of contaminated mine tailings. 200
St
Mobash Skate Park Clark Fork Natural Area
.
Caras Park
6
mile 7 3rd Ave.
Brennan’s Wave
Bess Reed Park
5
6th Ave.
6th Ave.
St.
Kiwanis Park
Canyon River Golf Club
Madison Walking Bridge
4
University Walking Bridge
3
Jacob’s Island Park
mile 6
2
Sha-Ron Washington-Grizzly Fishing Access Stadium
mile 4
mile 1
90
Kim Williams Nature Trail Area
University of Montana
533
Hellgate Canyon
200Madison Park
mile 3
M Trail
LA
C
R
K
F
O
R
K
R
Mount Sentinel
C
K
L
4 Hour Milltown State Park
Silver Park or Hellgate Canyon & West Broadway Island Brennan’s Wave
2 Hour
Milltown State Park
Sha-Ron
Milltown Dam site
2 Hour
Sha-Ron
Jacob’s Island
Hellgate Canyon
mile 5
1 Hour Jacob’s Island
Silver Park or Brennan’s Wave & West Broadway Island Riverfront Trail
DESTINATIONMISSOULA.ORG/DOWNTOWN-RIVER-MAP
Rd
90
210
90 533
CLA
RK
FO
RK
RI
VE
R
En tr
Junip er Dr . .
Roadside Parking
1
200
Walk-In Entrance
Gateway Area
B
Confluence Area
mile 0
533
IV
C LA
KFO
R OT RIVE
C BLA
KFO
OT RIVER
200
M I L LT O W N S TAT E PA R K
RIVER ACCESS POINTS Access Parking Hours
Boat Launch Restrooms Garbage or Walk-In Cans
Day Use, Gates Walk-In Closed Nightly. May 1 to Aug. 31
Yes
Yes
2
Sha-Ron Limited: 15 Spaces Fishing Access
Day Use Dawn to Dusk
Boat Launch
No
No
3
Jacob’s Island
Yes: Paid Parking at UM
Day Use 6am-11pm
Walk-In
No
Yes
4
Madison Street Bridge
On-Street Only
NA
Walk-In
No
No
Bess Reed & Yes 5 East Caras Parks
200
Juniper Dr.
No parking along road.
The Clark Fork River flows through aboriginal territories of the Séliš (Salish) and Qlispé (Upper Kalispel) people.
Yes: 80 Spaces. Overflow and after hours parking at the end of Juniper Dr.
VER OOT RI
MILLTOWN STATE PARK
Milltown State Park Overlook
Milltown State 1 Park
CKF
B O N N E R
R R Highlights A
R
R
BLA
1
M I L LT O W N S TAT E PA R K
E
Mid-Summer
Take Out
F
O
K
200
R
IV
Rd
South Ave. E.
Float times vary based upon stream flow and floating milevessel. 4 Put In
VE
Milltown State Park Overlook
90
E A S T M I S S O U L A
COMMON FLOAT TRIPS
anyon Typical Float Time
RI
mile 0
mile 5
Russell St.
South Ave. W.
RK
200
St.
St.
S. Higgins Ave.
e. Av ks oo Br
Front
ay
FO
90
ce an
Mount Ave.
dw
Arthur Ave.
5th Ave.
Mount Jumbo
ro a
Toole Park
5th Ave.
M I S S O U L A
E. B
RK
R
e
ce
Juniper Dr
No parking along road.
E
ng
pru
Rd
a Or
E. S
B O N N E R
E A S T M I S S O U L A
ck
McCormick Park
Currents Aquatics Center
Russell St.
7
D O W N T O W N M I S S O U L A
Mount Jumbo
ara
Ogren Park at Allegiance Field
mile 3
Ta m
8
S I LV E R PA R K
mile 1
CLA
n St.
McCormick Park EMS Boat Ramp NOT FOR PUBLIC USE
Madiso
St.
ve.
ay
sA
mile 8
adw
gin
Downtown Lions Park W. B ro
Hig
9
533
Sha-Ron Fishing Access
200
Greenough Park
N.
California Walking Bridge
2
mile 2
ck
LE RA
St.
TT
ay
Canyon River Golf Club
ara
dw
SN
oa
Waterworks Hill
Ta m
Br
AKE C R EE K
90
Day Use 6am-11pm
Walk-In
No
Yes
Access Parking Hours Caras Park 6 & Brennan’s Wave
7
Yes: Paid Parking at Park Place Garage; Lease Parking FREE evenings/weekends
McCormick Yes Park
Silver Park 8
Yes: 150 Spaces. No parking during baseball games
West Broadway On-Street Only 9 Island
B 210 Boat Launch Restrooms or Walk-In
Garbage Cans
Day Use 6am-11pm
Walk-In
Yes
Yes
Day Use 6am-11pm
Walk-In
Yes
Yes
Day Use 6am-11pm
Boat ramp for take-out only
Yes
Yes
Day Use 6am-11pm
Walk-In
No
Yes