The University of Montana will again operate its free river shuttle to popular points on the Clark Fork River. The UDASH River Shuttle will begin service Thursday, June 25, and run through Saturday, July 26.
Summer shuttle buses will run Thursdays through Sundays, departing from Campus Drive near the UM Outdoor Program building between the Campus Recreation Center and Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The River Shuttle stops at Sha-Ron river access point and Milltown State Park.
Thursday and Friday departures are from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the hour. Saturday and Sunday departures begin at 12 p.m. and run until 4 p.m. each hour. It’s recommended that passengers arrive at the bus stop 15 minutes before departure.
River Shuttle riders also can enjoy free on-campus parking, courtesy of UM Parking. UDASH staff will distribute passes before boarding on Thursdays and Fridays. No parking passes are needed on weekends.
“Providing student-operated, zero-fare river shuttles aligns with ASUM Transportation’s mission to provide safe, sustainable and equitable transportation options to campus and the community,” said Vickie Rectenwald, UM director of the Associated Students of UM Transportation.
Passengers must deflate all floatation devices and stow them under their bus seat or in their lap in an effort to maximize space. Stand-up paddle boards and extra-large equipment are not permitted on the bus.
River recreators age 12 and older also are required to have a valid conservation license, which is required to access most state lands. Senior and youth licenses cost $4, resident licenses cost $8 and nonresident licenses cost $10. More information about the conservation license is available online.
River Ambassadors will welcome riders to the river and help educate recreators about how to safely and responsibly enjoy the Clark Fork. The Missoula River Ambassador Program is a collaboration between ASUM Transportation, the Clark Fork Coalition, the City of Missoula, Missoula County, the Missoula Conservation District and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
“We are grateful to all of our partners in the River Ambassador program, and we are excited for another fun season of river recreation,” Rectenwald said.
Since 2021, UDASH River Shuttles have averaged over 1,700 trips each season, Rectenwald said. Shuttle dates have been adjusted to account for earlier weather and river flow conditions, and staff are predicting an increase in ridership for this summer.
Source: University of Montana
