Water Adventures Section

water adventures

water, water everywhere. With more than 3,100 miles of whitewater rivers throughout Idaho, you’re sure to find at least one perfect waterway to create a memorable adventure. Choose from white-knuckled roller-coaster rides to dreamy drifts through the cottonwood trees. Select from inflatable rafts, kayaks, canoes, drift boats, jet boats or do-ityourself paddleboats. Take a trip of either a few hours to several days in length on some of the wildest rivers in the country.

over 3,100 miles

float trips. For a more leisurely excursion, consider a whitewater float trip. Many outfitters offer half-day and fullday trips. To enjoy the full flavor of an Idaho river experience, book a trip over several days. You’ll see more scenery, splash over different types of whitewater and be more likely to view wildlife in a natural setting. You’ll overnight at campsites along the river and enjoy exceptional food. Outfitters take great pride in their culinary abilities and many offer gourmet trips. Dutch oven cookery is standard along the river and you’ll be enthralled by the style and quality of cuisine served on a remote beach. When considering a float trip for your family, many outdoor enthusiasts choose Idaho. Wildlife abounds on most trips, providing children a fascinating glimpse into the mysteries of nature. Plus, the competence and friendliness of Idaho’s river guides is world-renowned. Consider a unique river adventure trip for your next family vacation. jet boats take off to adventure. If seeing a lot of river in a short amount of time is your idea of fun, then consider a jet boat trip. Boats depart from several spots including Lewiston, White Bird, Riggins, Salmon and Hells Canyon Dam for one to three-day excursions. Safe, comfortable and fast, aluminum hull jet boats are built to ascend forbidding rapids and maneuver between boulders with amazing agility. They are usually the best way to get to prime campsites, beaches and fishing holes. To catch native Idaho steelhead trout and sturgeon, knowledgeable guides can get you to the best spots where the mighty fish lurk. middle fork of the salmon. Among the first rivers officially designated “wild and scenic,” this is one of the top 10 whitewater rivers in the world. It is known for its catchand-release trout fishery, invigorating hot springs, wildlife viewing and ancient pictographs. Class III and IV rapids run through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, the largest forest wilderness in the lower 48 states. Trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon can be booked for three, five or six days, and offer the quintessential Idaho whitewater experience.

main salmon. The legendary “River of No Return,” the longest free-flowing river within one state in the lower 48 states, is a choice pool-and-drop river with roller-coaster rapids. Between Salmon and Riggins, the river is as relaxing and as remote as it can be. You can book a full-day or halfday trip in the big water down-river from Riggins or near Stanley, Challis and Salmon, where the river is smaller. There are several stretches of river ideal for day trips featuring exciting rapids and beautiful

scenery.

of whitewater!

lower main salmon. At Riggins, the Salmon runs north through narrow basalt gorges, then opens into grassy palisades until it joins the Snake River north of Hells Canyon. This section of the Salmon is suitable for half-day, full-day or multi-day trips ranging from 10 to 52 miles.

state mileage chart T o Boise/From Driving Miles Driving Time Caldwell 25 25 min Cascade 76 1.5 hrs Coeur d’Alene 390 7 hrs/30 min Emmett 27 36 min Idaho City 44 45 min Idaho F alls 257 4 hrs Lewiston 271 5 hrs McCall 108 2 hrs Mountain Home 44 40 min Nampa 20 20 min New Meado ws 119 1 hr/20 min P ocatello 234 3 hrs/40 min Salmon 252 4 hrs/ 30 min Sandpoint 434 8 hrs Sun Valley 153 2 hrs/ 30 min T win Falls 128 2 hrs W eiser 72 1 hr/30 min snake river. The mighty Snake River flows across the vast plain of southern Idaho to ultimately surge through Hells Canyon. Along the way, it offers a variety of recreational opportunities - fly fishing on the South Fork and Henrys Fork in Eastern Idaho, rafting the Murtaugh and Hagerman sections in South Central Idaho or the sheer fun of rafting or jet boating through the majestic Hells Canyon.

payette. The South Fork is an advanced whitewater river with one, two or three-day trips available. Trips can be adapted for different skill levels at various times of the season. The 11-mile Cabarton Run on the North Fork is a great mix of quiet scenic stretches and mild class I-III rapids. The Main Payette River is perfect for families looking for a half-day trip, while the North Fork is one of the finest advanced kayak runs in the world with over twenty class IV and V rapids in just 16 miles. Only experienced kayakers should attempt these challenging waters.

selway. Emerging from the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, this is the most secluded of Idaho’s rivers. There are 60 miles of large class III, IV, and V rapids for a few months in the spring and early summer, making a trip on the Selway a true expedition into Idaho’s wilderness. Be sure to take some time to admire Selway Falls. Book your trip eight to 12 months in advance, because only one daily launch is allowed.

lochsa. The Nez Perce Indians named this river “rough water” for good reason. There are more than 40 class III and IV rapids with swift, technical water in the upper section, which can deliver a drop of about 40 feet per mile. Bordered by forests of cedar and fir on high mountain slopes, this river parallels the route Lewis and Clark followed in their search for a northwest passage. The famed explorers journeyed through Idaho over 200 years ago, in 1805-1806. Near the Powell

Ranger Station you can see evidence of their journey at Colt Killed Creek.

owyhee/bruneau/ jarbidge. River running season can be fleeting in the high desert of

Southwestern Idaho – April through June. The Owyhee is a remote, high-desert river that flows through deep canyons filled with wildlife. The Bruneau is a 32-milelong river that squeezes through a narrow, deep canyon.

Watch out for tumultuous Five Mile Rapids which drops 100 feet per mile for nearly five miles. The Jarbidge, which flows into the Bruneau, is rocky, steep and beautiful with an equally short season, making an excursion there all the more exciting.