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Bear Trap Wilderness Canyon of the Madison RiverDirections: Hikers reach the Bear Trap Canyon from the north, off State Highway 84, near the bridge, which crosses the Madison River 8 miles northeast of Norris, Montana.The easiest route is to take Highway 84 right out of Bozeman.
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Bear Trap Canyon of the Madison River offers a day hike of wilderness fishing or a 9 mile class IV whitewater adventure. Cutting its way through 1500 feet of granite rock of the Madison Range, the canyon offers camping at Bear Creek, about three and a half miles from the trailhead.Above the campground the remainder of the canyon is closed to camping. The canyon is best fished from spring until the heat of summer. Due in part from the thermal warming of the shallow lake above the canyon, the Madison reaches critical levels of heat stress for trout. In extremely hot and dry years, such as 1988, fish kills alarmed biologists and the general public. Although concerns had been voiced as far back as the 1960’s, the summer of 1988 brought a coalition of state biologists, Trout Unlimited and the general public decrying the loss of a once great fishery. When Montana Power applied for re-licensing, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission required consultation with local agencies and the public to establish a plan to mitigate the negative impacts of thermal heating.A consensus plan called for an infusion of pulse flows during the heat of summer. During these periods, pulsed flows of 12,000 to 21,000 CFS reduced maximum temperatures by 5 degrees, with an overall after effect of lowering the water temperature 3.2 degrees. Clearly, the canyon is making a comeback as larger trout draw fishermen into the wilderness section. The best fishing is in early spring until mid or late July. The canyon has healthy populations of 16 to 18 inch rainbows and browns with some genuine lunkers. Being in the canyon mid June during the salmon fly hatch can be a piece of heaven. Timing your arrival to coincide with the hatch can be hell. Depending on the spring run-off and what the dam operators are doing, the hatch can be impacted greatly and last only 5 or 6 days. After the trout have gorged themselves, they sulk under the high, muddy water until the river clears. When this happens, watch for prodigious caddis fly hatches. Stripping in sculpin patterns provides the best chance for catching trophy trout from the canyon down stream to Greycliff Campground in late November through March. This wild canyon, which has taken the lives of a number of rafters and kayakers, poses some risk to the walk-in fisherman as well. The canyon is home to hordes of rattlesnakes. I talked to a college student at Bozeman State, who fishes the canyon every chance he can get. He loves the phenomenal fishing so close to his dorm room. He recommended snake guards. Ticks can also be a problem, and bring a water-purifying pump if you plan to camp, as giardia is present. Much to my surprise, the area is covered with poison ivy, and I am itching right now sitting at the keyboard composing this information. Five weeks of Calamine and irritation testify to the seriousness of this plant.
The campsites by the trailhead are primitive. Across the highway, however, a fee campground provides 8 campsites with tables and lots of room.This campground also offers a water pump. Bear in mind that this is hot country with no shade to speak of in the campgrounds. The most popular float outside of the canyon begins at Warm Springs access just above the trailhead. Float fishermen begin at Warm Springs and float down to Greycliff Campground, a distance of 8.5 miles. I recommend the campground at Greycliff as it offers an abundance of shade. Greycliff Campground may be reached between mileage marker 10 and 11. Highway 84 swings away from the river at Black’s Ford, a boat launch at the junction with Highway 84 and Madison Road. From this junction,Greycliff Campground is 5 miles.The road then continues to the next fishing access, Cobblestone, 12 miles from the highway junction.Continuing north on Madison Road will lead to Madison Buffalo Jump State Park and Missouri Headwaters State Park, where the Jefferson River, Madison River and Gallatin River begin the journey as the Missouri River. For further information and a map of the canyon write to: Bear Trap
Canyon (406) 683-2337
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