About Glacier Drift Boat Tours
Our Story: Custom Built, Meant for the River
Glacier Drift Boat Tours started the way good ideas often do — out back, with sawdust on the ground and a dog under the workbench. I’m Jeremiah, a guide and outfitter of 25+ years. After watching a friend in Livingston, MT float guests in beautiful wooden drift boats, I couldn’t shake the thought: that is how the Flathead River ought to be seen.
I tried to order a boat for summer 2024. Timelines didn’t line up. So I drove to Glacier Hardwoods in South Kalispell, loaded the truck, and built one. Six weeks later — on Mother’s Day 2024 — our first six-person, handcrafted wooden drift boat slid into the current. The boat settled, the river took hold, and I knew we were onto something simple and right.
Today the “fleet” is intentionally small: another six-person boat so families and friends can float together, plus a classic two-person wooden drift boat — perfect for couples and quieter days. My daughter (and business partner) Ava May joins me on some trips, and Piper, our chocolate Lab, is usually close by, convinced she’s the real captain.
Why Drift Boats (and Why Here)
Northwest Montana gives you the setting; drift boats give you the seat. Between Glacier National Park to the north and the Bob Marshall Wilderness to the south, the North, Middle, and South Forks carry cold, clear water through forested valleys and mountain views. A drift boat lets the day slow down — steady glide, comfortable seats, easy conversation, and the kind of quiet where you notice bald eagles, deer in the willows, and that unmistakable turquoise sheen the Flathead is known for.
If you’re visiting Glacier Park or exploring the Bob’s spectacular countryside, our guided river trips are the calm counterweight to trail miles or traffic pileups: no crowds, no rush — just current, light, and time.
How We Guide: Montana-Practical, Guest-First
We plan around your pace. Want a scenic half-day with photo stops? Or a longer float to watch for wildlife and learn the river? We’ll match the section and timing to conditions and comfort — flows, wind, and those quieter side channels where great photos happen.
- Stable, comfortable drift boats — the best platform for conversation and views
- Small groups so your guide can read water and choose the right channels
- Clean gear, clear safety talk, straightforward communication — non-negotiables
- Seasonal smarts: extra layers and thermoses in spring/fall; shade and swims in summer
- Simple stewardship: pack it in/pack it out, respect private shorelines, and leave banks better than we found them
Good Food & Cold Drinks Included
Every trip comes with a locally crafted charcuterie board — a rotating variety of meats, cheeses, vegetables, spreads, and crackers — plus bottled water, a small selection of soft drinks, and tonic and carbonated water. Please share any allergies or preferences with your guide during planning so we can pack accordingly.
BYO Spirits (We’ll Handle the Rest)
Guests are welcome to bring spirits, wine, champagne, or beer. If you need specific mixers, just tell your guide ahead of time. We’ll provide ice, glasses, and a corkscrew.
Plan Your Guided River Trip
Whether you’re celebrating, unwinding, or simply curious what a day on a drift boat feels like, we’d be honored to host you.
Reach out to Glacier Drift Boat Tours to schedule your guided river trip on the Flathead River — and see Northwest Montana from the best seat on the water.
