Boulder River

The Boulder River tumbles out of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness south of Big Timber, flowing through a dramatic canyon before joining the Yellowstone River near McLeod. This pristine freestone stream offers excellent fishing for rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout in one of Montana's most scenic settings. The upper river in the Natural Bridge Falls area provides wilderness-quality fishing for smaller but plentiful fish, while the lower canyon holds larger browns in deep pools and undercut banks. The famous Natural Bridge State Park showcases where the river disappears underground through limestone caves before reemerging as a spectacular waterfall. Summer and early fall offer the best conditions, with salmonfly hatches in June followed by golden stones and caddis. The boulder-strewn pocket water is ideal for attractor dry flies and nymphs. Access is excellent along the Boulder Road from Big Timber, with multiple pullouts and campgrounds making this an accessible day trip from Bozeman or Livingston.