Recently Viewed
Bitterroot Forest Adventure: Hike and Packraft Experience
5.0
13 Ratings
Missoula
Experience the beauty of the Bitterroot Mountains with an Alpine Lake Float and Guided Hike. Explore rugged trails, navigate water crossings, and enjoy a unique packrafting adventure!
Duration:
6 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Camas Creek Trailhead - Embark on a 6 mile, (3 mile each way, 1200 ft of elevation gain) guided day hike up a glacially scoured canyon of the Bitterroot National Forest to a high elevation backcountry lake. At the lake, you’ll paddle around in inflatable packrafts as you take in the incredible scenery. While you paddle, your guide will prepare a backpacker-style lunch of Pad Thai, Pasta Primavera, or Beef Stroganoff. Once you return to land, you’ll learn a bit about learn about cooking in the backcountry without leaving a trace. Then, you’ll pack up and head back to the trailhead the same way you hiked up.
Packrafts, backpacks, trekking poles, bear spray, and safety equipment rentals are included in the price. One packraft setup (packraft, paddle, life vest) for each adult or youth ticket. Your guide carries two packraft setups and the rest are carried by other adults.
Shar Trail Mix, Beef and Vegan Jerky, and Lara Bars are given to you in your snack bag!
Your guide will also carry a water filter, so you can sip on some crisp, cool mountain creek water during your breaks!
What's Included
- Bearspray
- Bottled water
- Guide carries GPS Communicator, First Aid Kit
- Trekking Poles
- Snacks
- One packraft, paddle, life vest per adult
- Backpacks
What's Not Included
- Clothing / Hiking Clothing
- Sunscreen
- Hiking Shoes (closed toe shoes is a must!)
- Make sure you bring a raincoat! No matter the forecast!
- Fly Rod (rent one from a local outfitter or bring your own!)
- Bathing Suit
- Bug Spray
Additional Information
The Bitterroot National Forest is a place of stunning beauty and toughness, marked by striking mountains and profound glacial canyons. The trails may not always be in perfect condition, and periodic streams might discourage those unaccustomed to traversing bodies of water. Having a guide by your side will certainly prove beneficial!
An exclusive experience to Bitterroot Backpacking is the combining of hiking and packraft floating. No other guide or company offers this service! (And if they claim to, they likely drew inspiration from here!)
- Anyone in general good health can complete one of these trips. Please inquire before booking!
Location
WinCo Foods
South Reserve Street
We do not need to meet in Missoula. The meeting point is listed here so that this activity shows up as a "thing to do" in Missoula. The trailhead is approx 60 - 80 min from Missoula.
The dirt forest roads can be rough and dusty! Please drive carefully!
Please contact us for other trail options!!!!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(13 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Ryanbo1144ng
Aug 30, 2024
Awesome Packraft Day Trip - Had a fantastic experience with tour guide Luke. Program was well communicated and well organized. Signed up for the packraft which is a unique element to get a chance to have a guided hike and float with all equipment provided. Luke was full of useful information and fun stories. His passion for tour guiding is evident in everything he did.
Thanks!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R9055bsgregw
Aug 27, 2024
Bitterroot Bliss: A Middle Finger to Mediocre Hikes - If you think you've seen it all, think again. This hike in the Bitterroot Mountains isn't just another walk in the woods – it's a revelation.
Your guide, Luke, isn't some cookie-cutter tour operator reciting facts from a laminated card. No, this guy knows his stuff. He'll school you on every plant, critter, and geological oddity you encounter, painting a picture of the Bitterroot's history that'll make you feel like you've time-traveled.
The trail? It's a glacial masterpiece, carved by ice and time, leading you to a high-altitude lake that'll make you question why you ever thought city life was a good idea. And just when you think it can't get any better, out come the packrafts. You'll float on water so clear it's like someone spilled a piece of sky.
But here's the kicker – Luke brews up some backcountry coffee or tea that'll put your fancy pour-over to shame. And he does it all without leaving so much as a fingerprint on this pristine wilderness.
It's the kind of experience that reminds you why we bother to leave our comfort zones, why we seek out these pockets of untouched beauty. It's not easy, it's not luxurious, but damn if it isn't perfect.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W8458codavidl
Aug 19, 2024
Awesome Luke! - Luke is a great young guide! He knows everything and is very responsible to his clients. We had a great hiking and peaceful lake float experience. It's good to take a nap on the boat or you can swim in the water too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Collinsh2017
Aug 17, 2024
Solo hike to alpine lake - Luke took me up on a guided hike to the Kidney lakes in the Bitterroot mountains. It was an incredible experience and Luke was an expert guide. I can’t recommend this experience enough!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cp141
Aug 13, 2024
Fantastic day! - We had a fantastic day hiking and rafting. Luke was a great guide - sharing lots of local knowledge and keeping us safe on the trails! The rafting was just bliss - and we were the only ones on the lake! Would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O270imalexisd
Jul 27, 2024
Bitterroot Backpacking is the best way to see Montana!! - My partner and I had an absolutely incredible trip seeing Montana for the first time with Bitterroot Backpacking!
Luke spoke to us about our physical limits and planned out a trip that was perfect for us! Even though I couldn't hike as far as I'd like to be able to, Luke led us on a hike that was breathtaking, super remote, and just the right amount of challenge. I am a nature lover and especially loved that Luke was able to identify and speak about the nature wildflowers, trees, and animals!! We enjoyed life by an alpine lake for 3 days, such a gorgeous and peaceful experience that I will never forget!! Luke provided all the necessary gear and even carried a packraft for us to enjoy the lake with! The food was delicious, Luke accommodated two vegans no problem!
This was an unforgettable adventure that I would recommend to anyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christinent7434la
Jul 11, 2024
Perfect half day hike and float on Camas Lake - Hiking with Luke from Bitterroot Backpacking was awesome. Our meetup spot was easy to find and parking at the trailhead on a weekday was no hassle. We were the only cars in the area.
Luke carried almost all of the gear needed for our hike and more (bear spray, water filter, delicious snacks he bought for us, poles, tea and coffee, packrafts, paddles, life vests, gps, extra sunscreen..), made sure we hydrated and ate properly on a hot 90°+ day, set a pace that was perfect for the group, and kept the conversation fun and informative. We carried our swimsuits and water shoes to change into at the lake, and our own sunscreen and bug spray. I am usually a good 10 paces behind my ultra quick husband, but thanks to Luke I wasn’t left behind, and we all definitely took in some sights and sounds of nature. Luke shared info about the area plants, birds, animals, and geologic formation on our way up to Camas Lake.
When we got to the lake Luke inflated the packrafts and we were floating quickly. Loved the calm cool water, jumping trout, and osprey overhead. The day was so wonderful, made me sad to be leaving Montana for home. We will definitely be checking what Bitterroot Backpacking has on our next visit to big sky country!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E8404xajoshk
Jul 10, 2024
Bitterroot Mountains hike, lake at altitude with amazing views - This was an amazing hike! I went with my wife and three teenaged kids the 5th of July. Straight forward getting to the trailhead, although the last few miles are a dirt road so avoid taking a low profile vehicle
vehicle. After a quick meet and great with Luke we were off.
6 miles round trip and a little over 1000 ft elevation gain, so a good workout but not overly strenuous if you are in ok shape.
Luke was very knowledgeable, and kept a good conversation going with the group. At the half way point we took a break at Camas lake for the pack rafting which was the icing on the cake. Great way to relax with beautiful views before making our way back.
Definitely recommend this hike if you are in the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elenev
Jul 9, 2024
Excellent hike and float! - It was a blast hiking with Luke. He’s really friendly and knowledgeable. The trail itself was spectacular — secluded, with varied terrain, amazing views, and a spectacular lake to float on in Luke’s pack rafts. His water filter means you have unlimited water refills from the mountain streams making the hike doable even on a very hot day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
858littled
Jun 29, 2024
A must do - OMG what a fun day. Luke was a wonderful leader and gave us lots of information on surroundings. We had a great group. Moderate hike then float around the lake. Dense forests with occasional views and calm pretty lake. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
