Join RMS in celebrating 50 years of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River system alongside Flathead Rivers Alliance, American Rivers, and the river community of northwest Montana and beyond. 

Afternoon of Thursday, July 9: Arrive

Morning of Friday, July 10: RMS & Friends Float

All RMS members, and their friends, are welcome to join the RMS Northwest Chapter trip on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in Montana. This is a day trip in conjunction with the Flathead Rivers Alliance’s River Fest, a Celebration for 50 years of the Flathead River’s Wild and Scenic River designation.

• Float Information and Location: Middle Fork of the Flathead River, Columbia Falls, Montana. This should be about a half day float, so we will put in late morning – trying to time it so that we have enough time to join the River Fest in Columbia Falls.
• Camping: We will camp at Great Northern Flats, along the North Fork of the Flathead both Thursday and Friday nights. This is a first-come first-serve campground so we might have to be flexible and adapt at the last minute. If people want to drive up Friday morning, that can work too.
• River Fest: July 10, 5-9 pm Marantette Park in downtown Columbia Fall.
• Who's invited: All RMS members and their family and friends are welcome!

Evening of Friday, July 10: 50th Anniversary Flathead Wild and Scenic River Festival 

On July 10, 2026, Flathead Rivers Alliance will host the Flathead Wild and Scenic River Fest - a 50th Anniversary celebration honoring the three forks of the Flathead's federal WSR designation in 1976. The free, family-friendly celebration will take place at Marantette Park in Columbia Falls, MT from 5-9 pm, and it will feature live music, food and drink, and interactive activities from community members celebrating Flathead river history and culture.

RMS members are invited to a morning coffee social, sponsored by Flathead Rivers Alliance, at the West Glacier river access from 9-10 am the day of the Festival, to be followed by a day float on the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Flathead’s Moccasin to West Glacier whitewater stretch (class III). This section offers a little bit of excitement in the whitewater and a lot of really cool geology, history, and recreational value. 

Notes: members can plan their own overnights up the North or South Forks for Saturday night after the fest or just hang out and see the park or anything else in the area on their own terms.

Morning of Saturday, July 11: Depart

Contact Lelia Mellen for more information - lrm.nps(at)gmail.com

Register for the RMS float and camping