Wild Horse Island Boat Tour
A real Montana gem. Wild Horse Island is the crown jewel of Flathead Lake—only accessible by boat, with wild horses, bighorn sheep, and trails that wind through old-growth pine and open meadows. We’ll cruise you out, give you the local story, and set you up to explore. Great for wildlife watching, short hikes, or just kicking back and soaking in the lake views.
- Nearby Towns: Bigfork, Lakeside, Polson, Kalispell
- Includes: Boat ride to and from Wild Horse Island, licensed guide, cooler with bottled water & snacks, binoculars for wildlife viewing, local insight and trail tips
- Experience Level: No hiking experience needed. Trails are mild and family-friendly.
- Trip Info: Private tour, Max group size: 6 depending on boat
- What to Know: Bring sturdy shoes, a water bottle, and your camera. No pets or camping allowed on the island. Swimming available at select spots.
- Season: Late spring through early fall (May–October). Best wildlife viewing in the morning and early evening.
Your Wild Horse Island tour includes:
- Licensed captain and guide with local knowledge
- Boat transportation to and from Wild Horse Island
- Cooler with bottled water and snacks
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing
- All safety equipment and first aid kit
- Local insight about the island's history and wildlife
Duration:
- Half Day: 4 hours
- Full Day: 7-8 hours
Meeting Location: Details provided by your guide. Departure points near Bigfork, or Lakeside.
Group Size: Maximum 6 people per boat. Perfect for families and groups. Private tours available.
Experience Level: No hiking experience needed - trails are mild and family-friendly. All ages welcome.
What to Expect: Safety briefing, scenic boat cruise across Flathead Lake, hike on Wild Horse Island to spot wild horses, bighorn sheep, deer, and diverse birdlife, exploration of old-growth pine forests and open meadows, stunning lake and mountain views, swimming opportunities at select spots (seasonal), and plenty of photo opportunities.
Essential:
- Sturdy walking or hiking shoes
- Sunscreen and hat
- Camera or phone for photos
- Refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses
Clothing:
- Layered clothing (weather can change on the lake)
- Light jacket or windbreaker
- Long-sleeve shirt for sun protection
- Comfortable pants or shorts
- Swimsuit (optional, for seasonal swimming)
Optional:
- Binoculars (we provide some, but bring your own if preferred)
- Personal snacks or beverages
- Dry bag for electronics
- Insect repellent (seasonal)
- Backpack or daypack
What We Provide: Boat transportation, guide, binoculars, water, snacks, and safety equipment.
Important Notes: No pets or camping allowed on the island per state park regulations.
At Riverstone Outfitters, we understand the value of your time—and ours. Our policy helps ensure a fair shake for clients and guides alike, especially during a busy season with limited availability. We advise considering out optional trip protection for when the unexpected happens!
Deposit Required
A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your trip date. The remaining balance is due 7 days prior to your trip, the card used to book your trip will be automatically charged for the balance unless you have made prior arrangements to use a different payment method. Trips booked within 7 days of trip date, full payment is required at time of booking.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your trip, please give us as much notice as possible. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
- 30+ Days Notice: Full refund of your deposit, or ability to rebook for a later date.
- 8–29 days before your trip: Your deposit is non-refundable. At this stage, it’s unlikely we can rebook the date, and guides have already committed their time. If we are able to rebook your guide, we will issue a refund of your deposit.
- 7 days or less: The full trip cost is non-refundable. We’ll do our best to fill the spot, but last-minute cancellations leave little room to adjust.
- Please note: All refunds are charged a $40 cancelation fee in addition Credit card processing fees are non-refundable, as these are retained by our payment processor and not returned to us when a refund is issued.
Weather Cancellations
We fish in all kinds of weather—sun, wind, or rain—but your safety is our top priority, if conditions are unsafe, (extreme weather, lightning unfishable high water), your guide or Riverstone Outfitters will make the call. In that case, we’ll offer to reschedule your trip or refund it in full.
Rescheduling
We're happy to work with you to reschedule your trip! If you need to change your date:
- 7+ Days Notice: Free rescheduling
- Less than 7 Days: Subject to availability and may incur a rescheduling fee of $50
No-Shows
If you don't arrive at the meeting location within 30 minutes of the scheduled start time without prior communication, the trip may be considered a no-show and your full payment will be forfeited. Please be on time—we want to make the most of your day on the water!
Questions?
If you have concerns about weather or need to discuss your booking, please contact us as soon as possible. We're here to help make your trip happen!
A real Montana gem. Wild Horse Island is the crown jewel of Flathead Lake—only accessible by boat, with wild horses, bighorn sheep, and trails that wind through old-growth pine and open meadows. We’ll cruise you out, give you the local story, and set you up to explore. Great for wildlife watching, short hikes, or just kicking back and soaking in the lake views.
- Nearby Towns: Bigfork, Lakeside, Polson, Kalispell
- Includes: Boat ride to and from Wild Horse Island, licensed guide, cooler with bottled water & snacks, binoculars for wildlife viewing, local insight and trail tips
- Experience Level: No hiking experience needed. Trails are mild and family-friendly.
- Trip Info: Private tour, Max group size: 6 depending on boat
- What to Know: Bring sturdy shoes, a water bottle, and your camera. No pets or camping allowed on the island. Swimming available at select spots.
- Season: Late spring through early fall (May–October). Best wildlife viewing in the morning and early evening.
Your Wild Horse Island tour includes:
- Licensed captain and guide with local knowledge
- Boat transportation to and from Wild Horse Island
- Cooler with bottled water and snacks
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing
- All safety equipment and first aid kit
- Local insight about the island's history and wildlife
Duration:
- Half Day: 4 hours
- Full Day: 7-8 hours
Meeting Location: Details provided by your guide. Departure points near Bigfork, or Lakeside.
Group Size: Maximum 6 people per boat. Perfect for families and groups. Private tours available.
Experience Level: No hiking experience needed - trails are mild and family-friendly. All ages welcome.
What to Expect: Safety briefing, scenic boat cruise across Flathead Lake, hike on Wild Horse Island to spot wild horses, bighorn sheep, deer, and diverse birdlife, exploration of old-growth pine forests and open meadows, stunning lake and mountain views, swimming opportunities at select spots (seasonal), and plenty of photo opportunities.
Essential:
- Sturdy walking or hiking shoes
- Sunscreen and hat
- Camera or phone for photos
- Refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses
Clothing:
- Layered clothing (weather can change on the lake)
- Light jacket or windbreaker
- Long-sleeve shirt for sun protection
- Comfortable pants or shorts
- Swimsuit (optional, for seasonal swimming)
Optional:
- Binoculars (we provide some, but bring your own if preferred)
- Personal snacks or beverages
- Dry bag for electronics
- Insect repellent (seasonal)
- Backpack or daypack
What We Provide: Boat transportation, guide, binoculars, water, snacks, and safety equipment.
Important Notes: No pets or camping allowed on the island per state park regulations.
At Riverstone Outfitters, we understand the value of your time—and ours. Our policy helps ensure a fair shake for clients and guides alike, especially during a busy season with limited availability. We advise considering out optional trip protection for when the unexpected happens!
Deposit Required
A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your trip date. The remaining balance is due 7 days prior to your trip, the card used to book your trip will be automatically charged for the balance unless you have made prior arrangements to use a different payment method. Trips booked within 7 days of trip date, full payment is required at time of booking.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your trip, please give us as much notice as possible. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
- 30+ Days Notice: Full refund of your deposit, or ability to rebook for a later date.
- 8–29 days before your trip: Your deposit is non-refundable. At this stage, it’s unlikely we can rebook the date, and guides have already committed their time. If we are able to rebook your guide, we will issue a refund of your deposit.
- 7 days or less: The full trip cost is non-refundable. We’ll do our best to fill the spot, but last-minute cancellations leave little room to adjust.
- Please note: All refunds are charged a $40 cancelation fee in addition Credit card processing fees are non-refundable, as these are retained by our payment processor and not returned to us when a refund is issued.
Weather Cancellations
We fish in all kinds of weather—sun, wind, or rain—but your safety is our top priority, if conditions are unsafe, (extreme weather, lightning unfishable high water), your guide or Riverstone Outfitters will make the call. In that case, we’ll offer to reschedule your trip or refund it in full.
Rescheduling
We're happy to work with you to reschedule your trip! If you need to change your date:
- 7+ Days Notice: Free rescheduling
- Less than 7 Days: Subject to availability and may incur a rescheduling fee of $50
No-Shows
If you don't arrive at the meeting location within 30 minutes of the scheduled start time without prior communication, the trip may be considered a no-show and your full payment will be forfeited. Please be on time—we want to make the most of your day on the water!
Questions?
If you have concerns about weather or need to discuss your booking, please contact us as soon as possible. We're here to help make your trip happen!
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"Great trip. Joseph was great guide. Very friendly and fun!"
"There is not a better outfitter service! Nathan will take care of whatever you need to make your trip epic!"
"This was my first experience with a guide and I had a lot of fun and would recommend Riverstone to everyone"