Things to Do in Montana

The rafters hear it before they see it. The steadily increasing roars emanating from down the river can only mean one thing: whitewater. As their raft rounds a bend, it plunges headfirst into a Class III rapid. Frothy spumes shower the group, but they remain focused, paddle in unison, and conquer nature's natural roller coaster.

Since 1976, Glacier Raft Company has created adrenalin-pumping experiences like these for more than 500,000 customers. Using the Middle Fork and Flathead River as their playground, guides lead rafting adventures that fuse the thrills of fast rapids with natural beauty of areas such as John Stevens Canyon. Though rafting is their focus, the outdoors outfit also leads other activities such as horseback riding and hiking trips. During fishing excursions, anglers cast for rainbow trout and radical bartenders harvest ice cubes from glaciers. The company also welcomes guests for extended stays in one of their classic log cabins.

Always looking for a challenge, Pangaea River Rafting's future owners Brooke and David Lawrence set out on a 4,000-mile cross-country bike ride years ago. But tackling that endeavor only increased the duo's thirst for more. After years guiding rafting expeditions along the Clark Fork River near Missoula, Montana, they decided the most exciting challenge would be to start their own rafting company. So, in 1989, they bought a small company by the name of Pangaea Expeditions, which they later renamed Pangaea River Rafting. During that time they also got married, fittingly alongside the river.

Over the course of more than 20 years, Brooke and David have developed a series of programs that highlight the area's tourist attractions as well as draw locals out into their surrounding habitat. They direct rafting ventures boasting wine tastings, happy hours, bird watching, team building, and catfish cuddling.