Southwestern Montana: Yellowstone River
	Accomodations & Services in this Region

The legendary Yellowstone River inspires awe and reverence. From its source waters high in the Absaroka Mountains to its rendezvous with the Missouri River in North Dakota, the great Yellowstone River remains an uninterrupted, free-flowing river for over 600 miles.

Outside the park the river affords excellent fishing opportunities from Livingston to Gardner for both wade fishermen and float fishermen. Below Livingston, the Yellowstone River offers excellent fishing to Big Timber. One disadvantage of this section is that the float fishing access points are further apart and access to the river is more restricted. For the most part, the Yellowstone River is an easily navigated river. However, the three-mile section of water from Gardner to McConnell Landing is a whitewater section as is the section from Joe Brown to Yankee Jim Canyon. This section requires an experienced whitewater oarsman. From the East River Road to Livingston is relatively easier to float although braided channels, sharp turns and sweepers require the usual vigilance. The last take-out in Livingston is off of 8^th Street and called Mayor’s Landing.

Yellowstone River in the Park: Since the mileage marker 0 begins at the park entrance and ends at mileage marker 60 in Livingston, I have decided to work backwards on the chance that you may be traveling to the park from Livingston. If you are floating to Livingston, you will want to take out at Mayor’s Landing just off of 8^th Street. Shuttles may be arranged through the fly shops.

MM 60: Livingston, Montana

 MM 51: East River Road Fishing Access

MM 50: Carter Bridge: Carter Bridge has a good boat take-out and is a good spot for wade fishermen.

 MM 45: Trail Creek fishing access

MM 43.3: Pine Creek: Take the Pine Creek road 1.4 miles to the bridge fishing access and boat launch.

  MM 41.4: Mallards Rest Campground: The campground is a fee campground and offers 20 sites on a "Pack it in – Pack it Out" basis. The campground also offers a boat launch and good access for wade fishermen.

Note: From Carter Bridge to just above Point of Rocks, the East River Road parallels the river. The East River Road has Loch Levin Campground. Loch Levin is 9 miles south of Livingston. Take the Pine Creek Road and head south again to the campground. Loch Levin Campground has 30 campsites, water, toilets and a boat launch.

  MM 37.2: Mill Creek Bridge: Mill Creek Bridge has a private boat launch that is not posted. The gate is open, but I would skip this access unless you have a 4-wheel drive rig, as the launch is steep and rocky with little room to maneuver. Take the Mill Creek Road eleven miles to Snowbank Campground which has 12 camping sites.

 MM 33.4: Fishing access

MM 31: Emigrant, Montana: Take the road to the river and cross the bridge. On the other side of the bridge is a day use site with a good boat launch as well as good access for wade fishermen.

 MM 25.5: Fishing access

  MM 23.8: Meditation Point: Here is a rest area and picnic site large enough for the largest RVs with good fishing access to the river.

  MM 21: Point of Rocks: Point of Rocks has a boat launch.

MM 19.7: East River Road

 MM 18: Carbella Campground: Carbella is an unimproved campground 1 mile west of the Tom Miner Bridge. It has five campsites.

 MM 13: Yankee Jim fishing access. Just upstream from Yankee Jim is the Slip and Slide access, but you will need to carry your boat to the water’s edge.

  MM 7.1: Corwin Springs Boat Launch

 MM 6.3: LaDuke Spring Picnic Site

MM 3: McConnell Landing

MM 0: Gardiner, Montana