Smith River

State Park on the Smith River

Indian Education For All Lesson Plan

The Smith River is a unique 59-mile river corridor. Permits are required to float the stretch of Smith River between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge. Noted for its spectacular scenery and blue-ribbon trout fishery, the Smith River is unique in that it has only one public put-in and one public take-out for the entire 59-mile segment of river. Boat camps located along the remote river canyon help preserve the unique quality of this area. Visit the Smith River Floating web page for more information.

The Smith River between Camp Baker (launch site) and Eden Bridge (take-out site) is the only river corridor managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as a permitted river. Permits for private floats on the Smith River are allocated to the public via a lottery system prior to the spring season. Permit applications are typically available the first week of January each year, with the application deadline of mid-February.

Smith River State Park is located on the Smith River 82 miles from the mouth on the left hand side as you face down stream. Fort Logan is the next access site up stream from Smith River. Truly Bridge is the next site down stream from Smith River. Smith River is one of 4 FWP managed sites on the Smith River. The Smith River is a tributary of the Missouri River.