{"id":16607,"date":"2018-06-16T10:00:59","date_gmt":"2018-06-16T17:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/community.nrs.com\/?p=16607"},"modified":"2021-10-18T16:52:50","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T23:52:50","slug":"bozeman-paddling-fishing-and-food-under-the-big-sky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2018\/06\/16\/bozeman-paddling-fishing-and-food-under-the-big-sky\/","title":{"rendered":"Bozeman: Paddling, Fishing and Food Under the Big Sky"},"content":{"rendered":"

Southwest Montana may be better known for its deep powder skiing, world-class fly-fishing and proximity to Yellowstone National Park<\/a>, but paddlers shouldn\u2019t forget to bring their craft of choice when visiting during river season. Bozeman is nestled on the north side of the Yellowstone Plateau in the headwaters of the Missouri River, giving visiting and resident river lovers alike a choice of three local watersheds to explore. As the mountains surrounding Bozeman slowly shed their thick coats of snow each spring, locals make the annual metamorphosis from skiers and snowboarders to paddlers and anglers.<\/p>\n

Bozeman\u2019s whitewater community is small but strong. Need to work on your playboating skills? Wave Train Kayak Team<\/a> is most known for its summer kids\u2019 programs, but also provides whitewater kayaking lessons for adults, and be sure to check out\u2014and participate in\u2014the annual Gallatin Whitewater Festival<\/a> that they host during the third week of June each year. Forgot your rig bag? Break an oar? If you need to rent or repair gear, head to The Barn<\/a> between Bozeman and Four Corners for Bozeman\u2019s only full-service boating shop. Don\u2019t forget to pick up a canister of bear spray while you\u2019re there if you plan to head into the backcountry\u2014greater Yellowstone\u2019s Grizzlies can be unforgiving when startled. Finally, check out Shuttlesnap<\/a> to reserve your area vehicle shuttles. Now, let\u2019s explore the area\u2019s rivers!<\/p>\n

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Wave Train Kayak Team surf session; photo: Dave Zinn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Gallatin
\n<\/strong>Whether you\u2019re camped on a friend\u2019s couch or sleeping out in nearby Hyalite Canyon<\/a>, you\u2019re going to need some fuel to start your day. Head down to Wild Joe\u2019s<\/a> for caffeine on the go, or the Nova Cafe<\/a> for a longer breakfast featuring locally sourced ingredients. If \u201clots\u201d is your favorite flavor, then hit Mama Mac\u2019s<\/a> in Four Corners for giant breakfast burritos on the way up the Gallatin Canyon. Check out the Museum of the Rockies<\/a> on a rest day, or send non-paddling family members there to see one of the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world.<\/p>\n

Starting from the top of the Gallatin watershed near the park boundary, the Big Sky to Moose Flats run<\/a> gives boaters and anglers eight miles of meandering Class II whitewater set to beautiful mountain scenery. Downstream, Moose Flats to Storm Castle delivers eight more miles of Class III+ whitewater, including the infamous \u201cHouse Rock Rapid\u201d<\/a> followed by the \u201cMad Mile,\u201d both Class IV at higher flows.<\/p>\n