Friday, June 26, 2026
River Weed Rodeo on Middle Fork of the Flathead River
Groups will have a full day of rafting with one of the four commercial raft companies or by joining the group of private boaters. Along the way the group will stop and listen to a short educational talk on noxious weeds led by a local weed expert. All participants need to bring leather gloves for hand pulling weeds. The Middle Fork of the Flathead is a beautiful free flowing river that is protected by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The native plants and animals on the river corridor would appreciate your help.
The Weed Rodeo is a noxious weed pulling event on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River that started in 2003. Private volunteers combine with commercial rafting outfitters, government organizations, non-profits and local businesses to hand pull weeds along our beautiful river corridor. Read about last year’s event HERE.
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In 1996 I started working for Wild River Adventures guiding raft trips on the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead Rivers. These rivers form the west and southwest boundaries of Glacier National Park. They are magnificent free flowing rivers that are protected by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1964.
In 2003 while eating lunch I read an article in the newspaper about a noxious weed pulling event in Colorado. It immediately brought to mind the Spotted Knapweed at our most popular river access, Moccasin Creek, that had taken over the area and was about as tall as I was. I thought of all the invasive plants taking over huge areas along our beautiful river corridor. Being young I decided right then that I could easily fix this weed problem! I went around to the three other commercial raft companies, asked them to pitch in $100 each for burgers and beers and told them all we would gather to pull weeds and have a party afterwards.
Problem solved and we all lived happily ever after! I wish that was the case. Instead, I quickly learned that this was going to be a never-ending battle. From the very beginning Dawn LaFleur, the weed expert at Glacier National Park, has provided immeasurable support for this event. She let me know from the start that we would not be able to just go in eradicate the weeds and be done. She encouraged me to focus on educating our river users and working on specific areas year after year where we could make a noticeable impact. At Moccasin Creek, for example, where the Knapweed, Oxeye Daisies and Toadflax once ruled, we now have a thriving native plant population.
Although I ended my career as a whitewater boatman in 2008 with my first child capturing my focus, I have continued to grow and coordinate this important event. By 2017 I had expanded the event to cover almost 40 river miles on the Middle Fork from Essex to Blankenship Bridge. There are five separate launches that each have at least a couple boats full of volunteers and a weed expert. We always still gather at the end of the day at Wild River for a fun party with barbeque and prizes for all participants.
I’m very grateful to our amazing river community for all the years of encouragement and support in this effort to give back to this special river which gives so much to us each time we are in its presence.
Thank you,
Brenda Guzman
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The private boaters meet at the West Glacier river access, ready to launch at 10 am.
There will be a shuttle waiting for our group when we arrive at Blankenship to bring drivers back to their rigs at West Glacier. We plan on getting to Blankenship by 3pm.
Please bring your lunch, water, and leather gloves.
We will be accompanied by a noxious weed expert; who will give a short educational chat and help us to identify plants. Trash bags will be provided for the weeds that we pull.Gear checklist:
Raft with frame, oars, and oar locks or paddles
PFDs
Throw bag
Dry bag with extra warm clothes
River appropriate clothing and footwear
Sunblock / sunhat
Food and water
Repair kit
1st aid kit
Pump
Leather gloves
If you need to borrow anything, or you have any questions, email riverweedrodeo@gmail.com
BBQ party with prizes starts at 4 pm at Wild River Adventures.
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Email riverweedrodeo@gmail.com with questions.
2025 River Weed Pull Rodeo
2026 EVENT SPONSORS
More coming!!!
