Bitterroot Forest Adventure: Hike and Packraft Experience

23 Ratings

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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

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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

(23 Ratings)

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Larry_fri

Oct 7, 2025

Guided hike in Lolo National Forest in the Bitteroot Mountains - This was one of the highligths of our trip though Western Montana. We scheduled a 1/2 day with rafting trip 5 months ago with Luke and from the first contact to the day before he kept in touch with us and offered seveal options as out hiking plans changed. We took a 4-5 hour hike up to Diamond and Cliff Lakes in the Lolo National Forest. Great secluded trail with fantastic views and scenery. Getting up to Cliff Lakes and being able to raft on the most serene alpine lake was amazing. Luke was super knowledgeable and passionate about his love for hiking and the environment and it showed. Brewed us some coffee/tea and provided from tasty snacks for my wife and myself and catered to everythiig we may have needed on the hike. He is very flexible and on point with designing a trip that satisfies and meets all the needs for any type of hike that one would like to do, which makes him unique as a guide. If you are thinking at all about doing a guided hike in the Bitterroot Mountains area, be it a 1/2 day trip or something longer or overnight, you will find no one better to plan and take you non the adventure of a lifetime. Thanks again Luke for a memorable experience.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Alexandraba2018zp

Sep 30, 2025

A lovely day in the Bitterroot Mountains - I am not a hiking person, but I had a free day in Missoula and decided to spend some time in nature. Luke created a perfect experience for me: he was attentive, communicated well, was helpful, and shared many interesting stories about the area and the many plants and wild life we encountered along the way. He is very bright, sincere, sociable, and very service-oriented. When we were floating on the lake, he made sure I enjoyed myself and even brought me snacks when I was hungry so that I didn't have to get out of the water. It was a lovely day. I can't recommend him and his company enough. He truly creates memories for people

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Russell

Sep 17, 2025

Fantastic experience. Informative, enjoyable and worthwhile. - Our original hike and float plan needed a last minute change but the tour operator (Luke) was able to quickly accommodate our needs with an acceptable hiking alternative. The outcome was fantastic. Luke lead us up a spectacular 8 mile trek (to/back), taking a short stop to boil/filter water for a “tea” and snack break. Luke regularly shared his broad knowledge of the surrounding terrain and wildlife as appropriate. He was professional, friendly and well equipped for wilderness traveling. Great tour! Thank you!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Texastravel59

Jul 26, 2025

Immersion in the Bitterroot Experience - We had high expectations for our day with Luke after reading the reviews from others who have used Bitterroot Backpacking. Our high expectations were exceeded, The evening before our hike, we had observed smoke and firefighting aircraft converging on what appeared to be our appointed meeting place for the next morning with Luke. As luck would have it, a forest fire had indeed broken out near that meeting place forcing a last minute change of plans. After a phone conversation with Luke, he suggested a Plan B for the next day that did not disappoint! Our day included learning about the flora and fauna of the Bitterroot from Luke, along with history of the area as we made our way to a placid alpine lake surrounded by cathedral spires of rock pointing to the stars. I have enjoyed a large number of hikes to alpine lakes and reservoirs but I have never had the pleasure of being able to float and paddle on their surface while looking up and soaking in the sun from an inflatable raft...until this experience. It was unforgettable and I highly recommend it! The snacks that Luke assembled left nothing to be desired. Sweet, salty, protein, and carbs, in just the right quality and quantity. An unexpected treat was getting to sample wild huckleberries and other wild berries on the trek back to our car. A trek with Luke is an experience that I want every member of my family to enjoy. I cannot recommend this highly enough!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Pioneer28692590819

Jul 21, 2025

Just Book It! - We had a great day in the Bitterroot National Forest with Luke! Our family of 4 with young kids (5,7) really enjoyed this experience! Lots of great views and information during the hike. Luke has a cool story and has invented an awesome product! Unfortunately it was a very windy day and we didn’t get to float in the pack rafts but the lake was gorgeous and we enjoyed taking a break and having forest brewed tea and coffee. The hike is not strenuous and Luke adapted to our pace, taking advantage of our breaks to show us the best huckleberries and thimbleberries.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Sarahl898

Jun 28, 2025

Come to the Bitterroot Mtns and see and learn the region - We are experience hikers from the East who had 1 day to get an immersion experience of the Bitterrroot Mtns. Luke was fantastic. He is a seasoned guide, knowledgeable of the geography, geology, flora and historic background of the region. He was funny and patient with our questions and interested also in our backgrounds. I would highly recommend

Review provided by Tripadvisor

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

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