A proposed set of rules aimed at regulating recreation on the Flathead River is generating more questions than answers for many residents.  

After a five-year hiatus, the Forest Service last month released new information on the long-awaited Flathead Comprehensive River Management Plan, including a set of actions that aim to manage booming river traffic. Since the management plan’s last revision in 1986, annual visitation to Glacier National Park has doubled and Flathead County has gained around 50,000 residents. 

Public affairs specialist for Flathead National Forest Kira Powell said the proposed actions look to balance the interests of an increasing number of paddlers, anglers and river recreationalists by prioritizing different experiences along different sections of the river. 

“Some segments provide more remoteness, and require more self-sufficiency, while other segments are more developed with more services provided. The proposal seeks to provide a balance of recreational opportunities,” said Powell. 

The plan quantifies these different recreational opportunities through numerical user capacities. Along the South Fork, user capacities vary between 30 and 90 people per day, but the user capacities for high-traffic parts of the Middle Fork exceed 1,000 people per day.  

While the user capacities are not meant as restrictions or goals, the proposed numbers sparked frustration for many longtime river users who felt the capacities failed to capture how river recreation is changing. 

“For me, the issue is the imbalance between commercial rafting companies and the Flathead River system fishery,” said Michael Basta, a longtime Flathead Valley resident and angler.  

In a written comment submitted through the Forest Service website, Basta said the uptick in commercial use over recent years has made it more difficult for him to enjoy the river, as large groups of rafts often scare away fish. Several other comments echo Basta’s desire to limit commercial use of the river, referencing unpleasant run-ins with outfitter companies and busy river access sites. 

New limits on guide and outfitter service days are included in the list of proposed actions, but the suggested numbers exceed current use. Under the new proposal, service days would be capped at 86,000 for the whitewater stretch of the Middle Fork between Cascadilla and West Glacier, and 50,000 between West Glacier and the Middle Fork and South Fork confluence. The Forest Service estimated use for the combined stretch has averaged around 71,800 days in recent years. 

Another key aspect of the proposed plan is a new permit system that would impact people floating the North, South and Middle stems beginning in summer 2026. While the permits would be free and unlimited, some residents voiced concerns the change could be a first step to fully permitting the river. 

“Actions like this bring us one step closer to permitting the river so the ultra-wealthy that think they ‘own’ the river, can limit its use by the public,” wrote Carson Diehl in a public comment. 

Others, like Dennis Drayna, said an unlimited permit system would not do enough to address overuse, and that the area’s growing popularity made restrictions inevitable. 

“Everyone wants to recreate on the North Fork, but the reality is that not everyone who wants to will be able to do so if the river is to remain wild and scenic,” said Drayna. 

Other proposed actions include a 50-person group size limit, prohibitions on noise levels above 60 decibels and camping on gravel bars, and a restriction on dogs between Bear Creek and Essex on the Middle Fork. 

As of Jan. 31, the proposed actions have garnered about 40 unique comments. Additional questions and comments can be submitted through Feb. 7 through an online portal. The Forest Service intends to share a full draft of the Flathead River Comprehensive Management Plan for public comment in August. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at [email protected].