About Salmon Forks Outfitters
Salmon Forks Outfitters has been guiding fly fishing, elk hunting, and horseback pack trips into Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness since 1935. We are one of the oldest continuously operating outfitters in the Northern Rockies, and our commitment to this country runs deeper than business — it is a way of life passed down through generations.
Our History
The operation began in the 1930s when the first pack strings carried adventurous anglers and hunters into the South Fork of the Flathead River drainage. In those early years, the trails were rougher, the camps more primitive, and the wilderness even more remote than it is today. But the essential experience — traveling deep into wild country by horseback, fishing pristine rivers, and living under canvas among mountains that have not changed in millennia — remains exactly the same.
Over the decades, we have seen the Bob Marshall Wilderness designated as a protected area (1964), watched grizzly bear populations recover, and witnessed a growing appreciation for the value of roadless, undeveloped country. Through it all, we have maintained our presence in the wilderness, running the same trails, camping in the same meadows, and caring for the same country that drew us here in the first place.
What We Offer
- Fly Fishing Trips: Guided fishing for native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout on the South Fork of the Flathead and its tributaries. Trips run five to seven days, with horseback access to waters that see virtually no angling pressure.
- Elk Hunting: Fall rifle and archery hunts in some of Montana's most productive elk country. Seven to ten day trips with established wilderness camps, experienced guides, and a pack string for meat retrieval.
- Horseback Pack Trips: Scenic wilderness journeys to the Chinese Wall, fire lookouts, alpine lakes, and the remote interior of the Bob Marshall. Three to seven day trips suitable for all experience levels.
- Family Adventures: Customized trips for families with children, featuring age-appropriate activities, gentle riding, and an introduction to wilderness living.
Our Values
We believe that wilderness has intrinsic value — that some places should remain exactly as they are, not because they are useful to us, but because they are irreplaceable. Every trip we run is guided by a simple principle: leave the country better than we found it.
This means packing out everything we bring in. It means following Leave No Trace practices rigorously. It means maintaining trails, clearing deadfall, and reporting problems to the Forest Service. It means treating our horses and mules with the care and respect they deserve. And it means sharing the knowledge we have accumulated over nearly a century of wilderness travel with everyone who joins us on the trail.
Our Permits and Credentials
Salmon Forks Outfitters operates under a special use permit issued by the Flathead National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. We are licensed and bonded by the State of Montana as a licensed outfitter and guide service. All of our guides hold current wilderness first aid certifications and have extensive experience in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
The Bob Marshall Wilderness
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex encompasses over 1.5 million acres of federally designated wilderness in northwestern Montana. It includes the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the Great Bear Wilderness, and the Scapegoat Wilderness. Together, they form one of the most complete and undisturbed ecosystems in the temperate zones of the earth. This is grizzly bear country, bull trout country, and elk country. It is the last best place, and we are honored to share it with you.
To learn more about our operation or to begin planning your trip, please visit our contact page or call us at (406) 387-4405.