The Boxcar surf wave is notable at 27,000 cfs.
The Yellowstone is the longest undammed river in the lower forty-eight states. It runs free from the Absaroka mountains in Wyoming all the way to its confluence with the Missouri in North Dakota. It is a river that refuses to be tamed.
For paddlers, the action is concentrated in the upper reaches. Just north of Yellowstone National Park, the river squeezes through Yankee Jim Canyon, a narrow, dark-rock gorge that produces violent, chaotic Class III and IV whitewater. The current here is fast and heavy, and the consequences of a mistake are severe. Below the canyon, the river widens out through Paradise Valley, offering miles of scenic, fast-moving flatwater that is perfect for drift boats, kayaks, and strong paddleboarders. It is a river that demands your attention every single mile.
Put-in / access: Yankee Jim Fishing Access (45.1853, -110.8925)
Take-out: Carbella Fishing Access (45.2158, -110.8969)
Difficulty: Class III-IV
Mileage: 4 miles
Season: June through August.
Hazards: The Box, Yankee Jim's Revenge, and Pincushion. At high water, the holes in this canyon are massive and capable of holding a raft.
Permits: None required.
Guided trips: Yes. Several outfitters operate out of Gardiner.
Camping: Carbella has a developed recreation site.
Visitor Access
- Nearest town: Gardiner
- Difficulty: Class III-IV (can be Class IV at high water, Class III at moderate to low flows)
- Season: May-September, with optimal whitewater conditions during high water in May-June/mid-July.
- Mileage: 5.4 miles
- Permits & fees: No permits are required for rafting Yankee Jim Canyon, but anglers need a valid Montana fishing license.
- Hazards: Major rapids include Revenge, Big Rock, The Pinch, and Box Car. The Yankee Jim River Access may be closed during periods of high spring runoff (~30,000 CFS). Can be life-threatening during runoff for inexperienced paddlers.
- Guided trips: Yes, available from companies like Wild West Rafting and Yellowstone Raft Company.
- Camping: Camping is available at Carbella River Access and Campground, which is also a BLM camping site. Confirm current flows, closures, AIS inspections, and land-manager rules before you put in. Cold water and wood hazards kill—this guide is informational, not instruction.