Madison River Access & Float Guide
Everything between the park line and Ennis Lake, told mile‑by‑mile so you can pick the perfect put‑in—whether you’re rowing a raft or hiking in with a single fly box.
Upper Madison | Yellowstone Park Border → Lyons Bridge (Miles 0–45)
| Mile Marker* | Access Point | Wade/Float? | What I Love |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Raynolds Pass Bridge | Wade only (boat slide OK for transport) | Classic pocket water; trout sit behind every rock norrik.com |
| 3 | Three‑Dollar Bridge | Wade | Iconic riffles, good winter access |
| 12 | $3 to Pine Butte pull‑outs | Wade or short hops by boat | Sight‑nynmph flats; keep an eye out for wildlife |
| 20 | Palisades FS | Float launch | First legal put‑in for boats fishing downstream |
| 28 | Lyons Bridge | Float take‑out / launch | Start of unlimited float stretch; bathrooms & ramp |
*Miles approximate from the park line.
Float intel
Raynolds → Lyons: Wade‑fishermen paradise; if you float, row through quickly and respect waders.
Lyons → Pal to Pal (Palisades‑to‑Palisades lap): Easy half‑day with endless riffles, ideal for teaching rowers.
Middle Madison | Lyons Bridge → Ennis (Miles 45–70)
| Access | Facilities | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby Creek | Vault toilets, big lot | Great lunch pull‑out; streamer banks in fall. |
| Varney Bridge | Two ramps | Popular weekend take‑out; stonefly starting line in most years. |
| 8‑Mile Ford | Minimal | Short float to Ennis; nice in late summer when lake effect warms water. |
Lower Madison | Ennis Dam Tailwater → Black’s Ford
Here the river widens, gradient eases, and tubers outnumber trout mid‑July evenings. Fish early or late. Wade the Bear Trap Canyon trails for pocket‑water similar to the upper stretches but five weeks ahead in hatch timing.