Wooden Boat Tours on the Yellowstone River
Montana Classic Boat Tours is the scenic side of our river program. We run private wooden boat tours on the Yellowstone River near Livingston, Paradise Valley, and Bozeman, giving guests a chance to see Montana from the river’s point of view. From a wooden dory, you are low to the water, close to the light, and able to take in the valley without crowds or noise.
These scenic floats are built for guests who want to be looked after. Vintage wooden dories, Pendleton blankets, local food, and an easy pace on the river create a calm, hosted experience. It is a natural fit for visitors staying in Bozeman or Paradise Valley who want a memorable Yellowstone River boat tour without having to pick up a fly rod.
Fall is especially hard to beat. Peak foliage along the river, clear light, and cooler evenings make September and October sunset floats a can’t-miss part of the season for anyone visiting southwest Montana.
How These Boat Tours Work
Every Montana Classic Boat Tours trip is private to your group. We choose a scenic stretch of the Yellowstone River between Livingston and Paradise Valley, set the pace around your guests, and time the float around light, season, and conditions. Some groups want a quiet sunrise with coffee, others want a golden hour float with food and drinks.
Our boats are 20 foot McKenzie style wooden dories built by Ray’s River Dories in Portland, Oregon. The wide, stable hull is designed for river currents and gives you a smooth, predictable ride as we drift through classic Yellowstone River scenery with your family and friends.
Who, What, When, Where & What to Bring
Who These Trips Are For
Families, couples, wedding parties, and guests visiting Bozeman, Livingston, or Paradise Valley who want a pampered, hosted river experience. Scenic floats are ideal for non-anglers, mixed groups, and anyone who wants to relax and let a local guide handle all the details.
What the Trip Includes
Private wooden dories, Pendleton blankets, non alcoholic drinks, and on catered trips a light spread of local pastries or charcuterie from a Livingston-based catering partner. All safety equipment and a professional guide are included on every Yellowstone River scenic float.
When We Float
Sunrise, midday, and sunset from May through October. Sunrise brings calm water and soft light, midday works well for families and arrivals, and evenings often deliver cooler air and dramatic colors on the water.
Where We Float
Quiet, scenic sections of the Yellowstone River between Livingston and Paradise Valley. The exact stretch on your date depends on water levels, clarity, wildlife, and where the light will be best for photos and views.
What to Bring
Sunglasses, a hat, light layers, sunscreen, and your camera or phone for photos. Guests are welcome to bring their own favorite beverages, including adult beverages where appropriate, and any additional food or snacks they would like to enjoy on the boat. We keep a cooler with ice on board to keep everything chilled.
Choose Your Scenic Float
The Early Riser
Calm water, soft light, and hot coffee with locally baked pastries. A quiet way to start the day and watch the Yellowstone River wake up from the comfort of a wooden dory.
Trip length: 2 to 3 hours
Book an Early Riser floatMidday Scenic Float
A relaxed late-morning or early-afternoon float that works well for families, mixed groups, and guests who are arriving into town that day and want an easy introduction to the Yellowstone River.
Trip length: 2 to 3 hours
Midday space is limited. If you do not see your preferred time when you click to book, send a note and we will do our best to line it up.
Request a midday scenic floatYellowstone Sunset Tour
Evening light on the river, cooler air, and a slow float home. A favorite for couples and small groups who want a quiet end to the day and some of the most photogenic views on the Yellowstone.
Trip length: 2 to 3 hours
Book a sunset tourCustom Scenic & Events
Weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate retreats, family reunions, and private events can all be built around a scenic float on the Yellowstone River. We can work with planners and venues in Livingston and Paradise Valley to build the right fit.
Trip length: 2 to 3 hours or longer
Contact us about a custom tripHybrid Float & Fly Fish
Some guests float, others fish. While we do not fly fish from the wooden boats, we can run a fishing drift boat on the same section at the same time so everyone shares the day together on the river.
Hybrid days are booked through Swan’s Fly Fishing using the same BrindleShoot system. In some cases we can offer package pricing when scenic floats and guided fishing days are booked together.
Learn about hybrid float optionsThe Joy & The Cygnet
Our boats are 20 foot McKenzie style Ray’s River Dories. The Joy carries larger family groups and small events. The Cygnet, a “baby swan,” is set up for smaller parties that want an intimate private float on the Yellowstone.
Standard Scenic Float Pricing
All sunrise, midday, and sunset scenic floats are 2 to 3 hours in length. There are two price tiers based on boat and group size.
4 to 6 Guests · The Joy
Catered: $1,100
Non catered: $900
A good fit for larger families, groups of friends, and wedding parties who want more room to spread out on the river and enjoy the full Yellowstone River scenic tour experience together.
1 to 3 Guests · The Cygnet
Catered: $850
Non catered: $700
A quiet, private float that works well for couples and small groups who want a more intimate wooden boat tour with plenty of space to relax and take photos.
Catered trips include pastries or charcuterie based on time of day, plus non alcoholic drinks, blankets, and all safety gear. Non catered trips include drinks, blankets, and safety equipment; guests are welcome to bring additional food and their own beverages, including adult beverages where appropriate. A cooler with ice is on board to keep everything cold.
The Experience On Board
Ray’s River Dories in Portland has been a benchmark of wooden drift boat craftsmanship since the 1970s. Their McKenzie style hull is stable, quiet, and comfortable, and it is built for the kind of moving water we row on the Yellowstone River.
We use Pendleton blankets, local pastries, and custom charcuterie boards from Ranchmade Charcuterie in Livingston to give each trip a local Montana feel. There is space for cameras and personal items, and guests may bring their favorite beverages and extra food if they wish. All safety gear is provided.
Scenic floats pair well with a Yellowstone National Park visit, hiking in Paradise Valley, or a weekend in Bozeman or Livingston. It is a relaxed, high-quality way to see Montana from the river’s point of view and to experience the Yellowstone in a way most visitors never do.
What Guests Say About Boat Tours
“Highly recommend. A great afternoon on the river, delicious food, a charming captain, and lots of wildlife.
We plan on going fishing with Matt next.”
Kathryn C.
“The absolute coolest thing we have experienced in Montana. Matt made the whole group feel at home on the river.”
Carley H.
“Great afternoon on the Yellowstone. Relaxing and exhilarating at the same time.”
Jeff M.
Scenic Floats and Fishing Under One Roof
Swan’s Fly Fishing and Montana Classic Boat Tours share guides, home water, and a unified booking system. It is simple to use BrindleShoot to build a plan that mixes scenic floats and guided fishing so everyone in your group can enjoy the Yellowstone River in a way that fits them.