Raft, Paddleboard,
and Packraft Rentals
Near Glacier National Park
Float the North Fork Flathead with the whole crew, paddle Lake McDonald at sunrise, or hike a packraft into a remote alpine lake. We rent three types of watercraft from our Columbia Falls storefront. Pick the one that fits your trip, grab your gear, and get on the water. Paddles and PFDs are included with every rental.
Paddle Boards
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Rafts
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Packrafts
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Paddle Boards ✳︎ Rafts ✳︎ Packrafts ✳︎
Watercraft for Rent
Popular
14-foot Paddle Raft . . . . . $165/day
Best for: River groups, families, multi-day floats on the North Fork Flathead or Middle Fork.
Our biggest rental. Fits up to 8 people with gear. Inflated, rigged, and ready to launch when you pick it up.
Rates:
1–2 days: $165/day
3+ days: $130/day
Trailer add-on: $40/day (recommended: towing-ready, easy to launch)
Easy to Use
Paddleboard (SUP) . . . . $55/day or $40 for 4 hours
Best for: Calm lakes, beginners, sunset paddles, and anyone who wants to dip into the water without committing to a full day.
Stable, easy to learn in under 15 minutes. Lake McDonald and Whitefish Lake are made for SUPs. Great for any lake or calm water in the area!
Rates:
Full day (8 hrs): $55/day
4-hour rental: $40
What's included: Board, paddle, and personal floatation device.
Great Deal!
Best for: Solo adventurers, hike-in trips to alpine lakes, backcountry river runs, anyone who wants to go where the crowds aren't.
Packs down to the size of a sleeping bag, weighs under 5 lbs, and inflates in under 10 minutes. Throw it in your backpack, hike to a lake nobody else can reach, and float it. This is the absolute best way to escape the crowds and experience the peace and beauty of Northwest Montana.
Rate: $65/day
What's included: Packraft, paddle, and personal floatation device.
Packraft . . . . $65/day
Where to paddle
near Glacier
Northwest Montana has more paddling water than most paddlers know what to do with. A few recommendations matched to your craft:
North Fork Flathead River
(35 min drive) → Raft or Packraft
Class I–II wilderness float. Best from June through September. Multi-hour to multi-day options depending on put-in.
Mellow, beginner-friendly. Good restaurants nearby for post-paddle. This lake can be very busy during the summer.
Whitefish Lake
(20 min drive) → Paddleboard or Packraft
Hidden alpine lakes
(hike-in only) → Packraft
The whole point of a packraft. Hike in, paddle a remote lake, hike out. Ask us at pickup for current trail conditions.
Mirror-water alpine lake. Need a Glacier NP entrance pass + free Aquatic Invasive Species inspection at park entrance before launching.
Lake McDonald
(in Glacier NP, 25 min drive) → Paddleboard or Packraft
Middle Fork Flathead
(45 min drive) → Raft
Bigger water, more current. Best for the 14-ft raft with a group. Several commercial put-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No experience required for calm-water paddleboards or packrafts on lakes. For the 14-ft raft on the North Fork or any moving water, at least one person in your group should have river paddling experience. We'll match the rental to your skill level at pickup and steer you away from anything sketchy.
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Up to 8 paddlers comfortably with gear for a day trip. For multi-day with overnight gear, 5–6 is the sweet spot. Each paddler gets a paddle and PFD.
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Rafts and packrafts fill up 2–3 weeks ahead in July and August. Paddleboards usually have walk-up availability. Late spring and fall are easier to book last-minute. Book online to lock in your dates.
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Yes, with a free Aquatic Invasive Species inspection at the park entrance and a valid park entrance pass. Some park waters have additional restrictions; we'll brief you at pickup.
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Standard rental is pickup at our Columbia Falls storefront. For raft rentals, the trailer add-on ($40/day) makes towing easy. For packrafts and paddleboards, they fit in almost any vehicle.
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Packrafts are inflatable single-person boats that pack down for hike-in adventures and handle moving water. Paddleboards (SUPs) are flat boards you stand on, designed for calm water and easy learning. Packrafts = backcountry adventure. Paddleboards = relaxed lake day.
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The 14-ft raft drops to $130/day for 3+ day rentals (vs $165/day for 1–2 days). Packrafts and paddleboards are flat-rate daily. Ask us about custom multi-day pricing for larger orders.
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We monitor conditions daily and may recommend rescheduling if the forecast is unsafe. We'd rather you have a great experience than push you onto rough water.
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Yes, multi-day rentals are how most of our customers use the gear. Just bring the equipment back dry and rinsed at the end of your trip.