Floating the Sun River

Sun River : Overview

Photo Use Guidelines

The Sun River becomes floatable beneath Gibson Dam, although most floats start three miles downstream below Sun River Dam. The three miles between Gibson Dam and Sun River Dam has extensive whitewater, and is not recommended for beginners floaters or if the floater also wants to fish. The river is too fast and too bouncy to effectively fish from a boat on this three mile stretch.

Below Sun River Dam, the river first flows Sun River Canyon. The canyon stretch of the Sun River provides a steady diet of Class II and Class III rapids for nearly nine miles. The river in this stretch is frequently quite narrow, requiring an experienced paddler to be able to work their way around the many rocks found in the river.

After the river emerges from the canyon, the river maintains a decent current but loses the whitewater as it flows through a mix of high prairie and rocky country along the Rocky Mountain Front. No rapids or dams will be found between the canyon and Willow Creek Reservoir.

Willow Creek Reservoir is the best take out point for floaters coming down from Sun River Dam. Floating is not very popular below Willow Creek Reservoir due to the five diversion dams, all of which require a portage. Additionally, beginning seven miles downstream from Floweree Dam, several high drops exist, which also require a portage around or an experienced floater in a whitewater kayak or raft.

Photo Use Guidelines

The first diversion dam is located sixteen miles below Floweree Dam and the last dam found forty miles below Floweree Dam, thirteen miles upstream from Vaughn.

Below the last diversion dam, no more obstacles are found as the Sun River continues on towards the Missouri River. The Sun River runs fairly fast up until the bridge near Vaughn, which provides a convenient access site. Below the bridge, the river slows down and is frequently muddy. Depending on wind conditions, this stretch of the Sun River can be tedious for individuals in canoes and rafts. Motorboats on this stretch of river are allowed and frequently used.

Sun River : River Miles

Confluence of North Fork and South Fork Sun River: 106
Gibson Dam: 101
Access above Sun River Dam: 98
Sun River Dam and Access Site: 97
Willow Creek Reservoir: 71
Lory Road Bridge: 50
Sims Fairfield Road Bridge: 45
Fort Shaw Access Site: 37
Highway 200 Road Bridge: 30
Ulm-Vaughn Road Bridge: 17
Manchester Road Bridge: 12
Interstate 15 Bridge: 2
Confluence with Missouri River in Great Falls: 0