Enjoy a half-day Glacier National Park whitewater rafting trip on the Middle Fork section of the Flathead River. Maneuver the raft through the 9 named rapids by following the simple commands of the guide. Or, sit back and relax on this federally protected Wild and Scenic River if you'd prefer. The trip winds about 8 miles through the John F. Stevens Canyon. The rapids are typically rated class II and III, making for a fun and splashy whitewater rafting adventure.

Meet your guide and get fitted for lifejackets, helmets, and any other necessary equipment. If you have an epi-pen or other medication, your guide can stow it safely for you in a dry bag. Next, take a short 20-minute bus ride to the river. Your guide will launch the boat there and you'll begin floating down the stunning river.

Start the journey on a mellow section of the river, giving you plenty of time to learn to paddle and to adjust to being on the water. The rapids come towards the end of the trip, and photographs of each boat are taken in the rapid named Bonecrusher. Float under Glacier National Park's historic Belton Bridge towards the end of the trip. Your guide will take the raft out of the water in West Glacier. From there, it's a 5-minute bus ride back to where you started.

The length of the trip depends on the river flow. In June through early July, trips last about 2.5 hours, from mid-July to early August, about 3 hours, and from mid-August through the end of the season, approximately 3.5 hours. Safety is always the #1 priority. Guides undergo training in river rescue techniques, first aid, and more. Many guides return year after year. If conditions call for wetsuits and river shoes, or if you would prefer to wear splash gear, it is always available at no extra cost. Helmets are mandatory.