Bitterroot Forest Adventure: Hike and Packraft Experience

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: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Fred Burr Reservoir - Exciting expansion plans are set for 2025! If a date is already booked and you wish to schedule your own tour for that day, please reach out!
    Join a guided day hike covering 8 miles (4 miles each way, with a 1000 ft elevation gain) through a glacially carved canyon in the Bitterroot National Forest, leading to a high-altitude…
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!)
  • Raincoat (always bring just in case of emergency)
  • Fly Rod (rent one from a local outfitter or bring your own!)
  • Bathing Suit - Recommended for July - Aug
  • Transportation - Transportation services are available! Please contact us to help you get a ride!
  • Warm Clothing if forecast is chilly - we have backups if you need!
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…

Location
Fred Burr Trailhead
Fred Burr Road
The dirt forest road can be rough and dusty! Please drive carefully and slowly! 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
(18 Ratings)
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Kernans_f
Jun 2, 2025
Adventurous day hike & float - Advanced hike but with a great view & wonderful pay off at the end-Fred Burr reservoir. We hiked about 5 miles each way & then used our pack rafts to float the reservoir. Was a great full day adventure, experiencing the best of Montana. Our guide, Luke was wonderful & very knowledgeable.
Review provided by Viator
Anthonysj7318qx
May 19, 2025
Great Hiking and Rafting with Luke - The hike and tour was a blast. Luke was a great source of knowledge and showed us a fantastic area. He gave us all the information we needed ahead of time and was both fun and professional throughout the day of the hike. The sights throughout the hike, and especially at the lake, were incredible. While it was too cold to really swim on the lake, the rafting was still a great time as it wasn't that cold sitting in the raft. I would highly recommend this activity to anyone looking for a nice day in the mountains.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ulyssesq2025
May 2, 2025
11/10 - Incredible experience! The hike was very fun and a little challenging which added to the fun! This hike is not for the weak. It will test your cardio, however it will all be worth it at the end when you reach the reservoir and take in one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see. The guide Luke is so friendly and has a great vibe. He comes very well prepared and is well equipped with knowledge of hiking, travel, nature, etc. Overall 11/10 experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chloeanna90
Oct 29, 2024
Life changing!! - Our trip with Luke was something we will talk about and remember forever. From the planning phase and throughout the trip- Luke was so knowledgeable and a joy to be around. We had the BEST snacks (with added local whiskey 😋), he taught us all about the local area/wildlife and we felt totally safe and looked after for our overnight trip. Travelling from the UK, we really only had our clothing but Luke provided everything to a really good standard. We hiked, laughed, sang and danced, swam, floated and shared stories until the milkyway came out. Don't think twice if you're debating booking, just do it - I promise you won't regret it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
From $160
up to 7 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).