Day Tours
Join us for an immersive, thoughtfully paced exploration designed to connect you with the landscapes, wildlife, and stories of Montana. Along the way, guests may learn about grizzly bear conservation efforts, identify seasonal wildflowers, explore riparian ecosystems, and uncover how glaciation and geology have shaped the mountains, valleys, and waterways around us—plus plenty more natural and cultural insights that arise organically in the field.
Our guides tailor each experience to the group, creating an inviting environment where curiosity is encouraged and questions are always welcome. Whether you’re brand new to outdoor adventures or a seasoned naturalist, our day tours offer something meaningful, engaging, and accessible for every level of experience.
Swan Valley Wildlife Viewing
Explore the Swan Valley of western Montana on an immersive day trip that blends scenic travel with meaningful learning. This tour focuses on the powerful forces of glaciation that shaped the landscape, alongside the biology and ecology that define the valley today—from forest and riparian systems to the wildlife that depends on them.
As you travel through this remarkably intact ecosystem, you’ll have opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat while gaining a deeper understanding of how geology, climate, plants, and animals are all connected.
Ecosystems on the Bitterroot River
Discover the dynamic riparian ecosystems of the Bitterroot River on a day tour that highlights the deep connections between geology, water, and life. Guests will explore how ancient glacial and fluvial processes shaped the river corridor, creating the soils, channels, and floodplains that support cottonwood forests, wetlands, and diverse wildlife.
Along the way, you’ll learn how these living systems function today—providing habitat, filtering water, and sustaining the valley—while enjoying excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing in one of western Montana’s most vibrant river landscapes.
The Blackfoot River: A conservation success story
Travel to the iconic Blackfoot River on a day tour that tells one of Montana’s greatest conservation success stories. Guests will learn how a river once heavily impacted by mining, logging, and pollution was restored through decades of collaboration, science-based management, and community stewardship.
As you explore this now-pristine trout stream, you’ll see firsthand how healthy watersheds support thriving fisheries, wildlife, and local communities—an inspiring example of how thoughtful conservation can bring a landscape back to life.
What's Included
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Expert interpretation and insight from our professional naturalist guides
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Drinking water, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages
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Bear spray
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Roundtrip transportation
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Binoculars, spotting scopes, trekking poles, and bug spray
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Entrance fees and permits
What's Not Included
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Reusable water bottles
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Clothing, footwear, and raingear
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Guide Gratuity (industry standard is 10-20% of trip cost)
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Backpacks
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Sunscreen
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A full lunch
Trip Dates
Tour | Date | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Blackfoot River Conservation | May 24, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Blackfoot River Conservation | July 5, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Blackfoot River Conservation | August 15, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Blackfoot River Conservation | September 12, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Ecosystems on the Bitterroot River | May 9, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Ecosystems on the Bitterroot River | June 6, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Ecosystems on the Bitterroot River | July 18, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Ecosystems on the Bitterroot River | August 16, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Ecosystems on the Bitterroot River | September 13, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Swan Valley Wildlife Viewing | May 23, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Swan Valley Wildlife Viewing | June 7, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Swan Valley Wildlife Viewing | July 19, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Swan Valley Wildlife Viewing | August 30, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Swan Valley Wildlife Viewing | September 27, 2026 | Available | $225 |
Logistics & FAQS
Where do we meet?
We will meet at Caras Park in Downtown Missoula. We'll meet under the large canopy unless otherwise stated.
How long is each day trip?
All day tours will begin at 9am and end between 3 and 5 pm. We'll begin and end in the same spot.
How long is the day tour season?
Our day tour season runs between May and September. We do run custom day tours in the winter months.
Safety
Safety is our utmost priority. All of our tours are led by professional guides who are all Wilderness First Responders or EMT's. Our guides have extensive guiding and wilderness experience and comply with standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident. Each tour will have both an extensive first aid kit and a satellite communication device. Please feel free to email info@northskyadventures.com if you have any questions.
Group Size
By design, we keep our tours to a size of 4-12. This allows for a more intimate experience and ensures everyone is getting the most out of their trip.
Are there Age Restrictions?
We have a minimum age of 12 for our scheduled tours. For private tours the minimum age is 5.
Inquire about upcoming tours
We'll be releasing new itineraries in the coming weeks so stay tuned!