River Shuttles 2023
River Shuttles
RIVER SHUTTLES HAVE ENDED FOR SUMMER 2023. CATCH US AGAIN NEXT YEAR!
River tuber shuttles are free and open to the public!
Shuttle Dates/Times: Shuttles run Thursday-Sunday 12-6 PM starting Thursday July 6th and ending Sunday August 20th. Shuttles depart on the hour, each hour starting at noon with last departure at 6 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays we now offer 1/2 hour service 1-4 PM.
Shuttle pick up and drop off locations: Passengers board on Campus Drive near the Outdoor Program. The shuttle stops at Sha-ron in East Missoula and Milltown State Park. Please keep in mind if you ride the 6 pm shuttle you might get off the river after dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
We ask that persons deflate their tubes before boarding the bus. Passengers with deflated tubes will have priority. This helps us make room for up to 50 riders during peak hours. If you must inflate your tubes, only individual, single-person tubes are allowed, and if there is not enough room for your inner tubes you will be asked to wait until the next shuttle.
Every other type of inflatable, including double tubes, inflatable kayaks/paddleboards, unicorn floaties, blow-up alligators, and other random, crazy inflatables are required to be deflated and fit under your seat or on your lap.
With limited space please be considerate of others by limiting your gear. Shuttle drivers can turn away passengers and/or their belongings at their discretion. The following items are permitted on the bus.
- Small coolers, bags, backpacks, drybags, etc. Should fit on your lap or under your seat.
- Food and beverages. No glass!!
No; however, priority will be given to passengers that bring deflated tubes. Have a plan for how you will inflate your tube when you arrive at the river access. There are currently no inflation devices at river access points or on the buses. You can find small, manual pumps for under $20 at most hardware and outdoor sporting goods stores.
All kayaks, paddleboards, double-tubes, and other types of inflatables are not allowed to be inflated on the bus. They must be deflated and fit under your seat. Only single-person inner tubes are allowed to be inflated.
No, RSVP is not required; however a select number of seats are reservable by RSVP. Groups are expected to show up 15 minutes early and tubes must be deflated on the bus.
Permits are not required on Saturdays or Sundays or weekdays after 5 PM. All parking passes on campus (except lots H, J, and K) can now be purchased with the Passport App. Parking costs $1/hour. You may also use the kiosk for parking if you park in lot M (near Jacob's Island dog park). You can also purchase a day-pass for $8 on the parking website. Please visit UM Parking for maps and more information.
The Outdoor Program offers a variety of rentals and is conveniently located directly behind the Campus Rec Center. See a list of rental items and prices.
The real-time tracker can be accessed by downloading the Transit App. For a tutorial for using the Transit App visit mountainline.com/mobile-app/
Float time is heavily dependent on streamflow and wind. In general, the Sha-ron to campus float takes about 1 hour in early July and 2-2.5 in August. For a Milltown to campus float, double the time. Estimates are for time on the river and don't include shuttle and preparation. To be safe, always plan for the trip to go longer than you expect. If you catch the shuttle at 6 PM, you may be getting off the river after dark.
ASUM Transportation is only responsible for the safety of its passengers while on the bus; passengers are responsible for their own safety on the river. Check the weather forecast before you go and be sure to wear appropriate clothing to protect from sun, rain and cold.
Under extreme weather conditions, such as severe thunderstorms, shuttle service may be cancelled. In the event that service is cancelled the live tracker will be updated to notify passengers.
