Clearwater Canoe Trail

The Clearwater River Canoe Trail is an easy half-day paddle: 3.5 miles down a slow stretch of the Clearwater River into the north end of Seeley Lake, rated Easiest by the Forest Service and taking about two hours.¹ The best part is the logistics. You take out behind the Seeley Lake Ranger Station and walk a short trail back to the put-in, so one car and one boat are all you need.¹

Route at a glance

The return trail length is listed differently by different sources, anywhere from 1 to 1.5 miles. Either way it is a short walk.

How do you get to the put-in?

From Seeley Lake, drive 3.7 miles north on Highway 83, then turn west on Forest Service Road 17597 and follow it 0.7 mile to the put-in.¹

The take-out is behind the Seeley Lake Ranger Station at 3583 Highway 83 North.¹³ The ranger station is open weekdays 8:00 to 4:30 and closed federal holidays; call 406-677-2233 with questions about water levels or closures.³

Parking is small. Each lot holds about six vehicles. There are vault toilets but no drinking water, so bring your own.¹

How does the no-shuttle loop work?

1. Drop your boat and gear at the put-in off FS Road 17597.
2. Paddle 3.5 miles downstream to the take-out behind the ranger station.
3. Leave your boat at the take-out and walk the return trail back to the put-in.
4. Drive around to the ranger station to load up.

If you are paddling with a group, it is just as easy to leave one vehicle at each end. Either way, no commercial shuttle is required.¹

The return trail has a wildlife viewing blind along it, worth a stop on the walk back.¹

What will you see?

The Forest Service lists herons, bald eagles, beaver, trout, deer, western painted turtles, wood ducks, osprey and loons along the route.¹ Paddling quietly gives you the best chance of seeing them.

Loons need space. The Clearwater drainage has Montana’s highest concentration of nesting common loons, and May and June are the critical nesting months.⁶ If you see a loon, give it a wide berth and keep moving. Stay away from any marked nest area.

Rules on the water

• No-wake for motorized craft. Motorboats are allowed only at no-wake speed on the canoe trail.¹
• Food storage. The Forest Service’s food and wildlife attractant storage order applies here.¹ Under Order R1-2023-02, from March 1 to December 31 each year through 2028, food, garbage and other attractants must be stored in a bear-resistant way whenever you leave them unattended.⁴ See wildlife and bear safety.
• Invasive species. Montana requires aquatic invasive species inspections for watercraft, and nonresidents need a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass. Check FWP’s page for what applies to canoes and kayaks.⁵

Fishing from the canoe

Trout are on the Forest Service’s wildlife list for the route.¹ Under the 2026 FWP regulations, rivers and streams in the Western District open on the third Saturday in May, while lakes are open all year.⁷ Bull trout are closed to fishing in Western District waters unless an exception applies. Check the current regulations for the Clearwater River before you cast.

Renting a canoe

The 2017 Pathfinder guide listed several local outfitters that rented canoes for the trail.² Businesses change, and we do not recommend specific ones. The Seeley Lake Visitor Center or the ranger station can tell you who currently rents boats.

Where you end up

The trail ends at the north end of Seeley Lake.¹² If you want more time on the water, our Seeley Lake page covers the lake’s public launch and swim beach.