Idaho Rivers
Middle Fork Of The Salmon
Ranked as one of the top 10 whitewater rivers in the world, the Middle Fork of the Salmon is Idaho's most famous "Wild and Scenic" river. It is known for big, thrilling whitewater, but for continuous challenging (Class III-IV) rapids -- 100 in less than 100 miles. The Middle Fork is also known for Wilderness. It is undammed and unspoiled as it passes through central Idaho's "Frank Church River-of-No Return" Wilderness, the largest federally protected Wilderness in the lower 48 states. Attractions include water falls, hot springs, Indian pictographs. No motorized boats are allowed on this river.
Main Salmon
The Main Salmon was dubbed the "River of No Return" by early explorers. Today it is considered a choice pool-and-drop river for adventurers of all ages. On an 80-mile stretch between Salmon and Riggins, Idaho, it is a relaxing "Wild and Scenic" river punctuated by intermediate (class III and IV) rapids. Historic sites include the preserved homes of prospector Jim Moore and of river hermit Buckskin Bill. Big, clean beaches provide good campsites. Family day trips, through 12 miles of fun but not scary rapids, also are available on the Main Salmon near Stanley, Idaho, surrounded by the Sawtooth Mountains.
Lower Main Salmon
Although a "Wild and Scenic" designation is pending for the Lower Main Salmon, it is still a largely undiscovered stretch of recreational river. It drops out of the forest near Riggins, Idaho into narrow basalt gorges. Then the landscape opens up again to grassy palisades until the Salmon joins the Snake River at Hells Canyon on the Idaho/Oregon border. The lower Main Salmon is a good place to get away from it all. Most of the typical 40-mile, pool-and-drop trip is a scenic float with regular exciting whitewater. The water is warm in the summer. Sportsmen’s trips are popular in the fall.
Snake River In Hells Canyon
Everything about the Snake River in Hells Canyon is big. Big river, big waves, big views, big cliffs. The canyon is the deepest gorge in North America, several thousand feet deeper than the Grand Canyon. Rapids get class III-IV ratings largely because of their size. Jet boats offer sightseeing cruises both from Lewiston at the quiet-water northern end of the canyon and from Hells Canyon dam at the southern end. Rafts and dories float through the central 34-mile "Wild and Scenic" section of the river. Visitors often combine the two by float boating down the river and jet boating back to their starting point. Historic sites include the Kirkwood Ranch in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Sportsmen’s trips are popular in the fall.
Selway
The Selway is Idaho's most private "Wild and Scenic" river. Only one launch is allowed each day, to protect the pristine beauty of the river as it passes through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Selway river running comes in a heart-stopping rush for just a few months in the spring and early summer. The rapids are nearly all large (class IV-V) through all 60 river running miles. Limited access makes the Selway a challenge to experience. Outfitted river running trips should be booked 8-12 months in advance. Fishing trips are available in the summer.
Owyhee River
The Owyhee may be Idaho's most secluded river. It is hidden among thousands of square miles of canyons and sagebrush desert where Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon meet. Five different stretches of the Owyhee are known for their springtime whitewater trips. The Upper Owyhee passes through a deep canyon with grand scenery. The steep, turbulence of the Middle Owyhee makes it a favorite with serious boaters. The East Fork is a demanding trip but worth it for the deep gorge, bighorn lambing grounds, falcons and mountain lions. The South Fork has sweeping views of the high country and long gentle to intermediate (class II-III) rapids. Rome to Lake Owyhee is a popular intermediate run.
Payette
The Payette River leaves civilization behind just an hour's drive from Boise, Idaho's largest city. Visitors float a clean mountain river with forested banks and hawks or osprey flying overhead. The South Fork of the Payette is an advanced whitewater run for one, two, or three days of excitement. The 11-mile Cabarton Run of the North Fork Payette is an intermediate day trip with a good mix of quiet scenic stretches and straightforward class I-III rapids. The Main Payette river is perfect for families or beginning river rafters looking for easy rapids and and a few hours of fun outdoor time. The North Fork of the Payette is one of the finest advanced kayak runs in the world, featuring 20 named class IV-V rapids in 16 miles.
Bruneau/Jarbidge Rivers
The Bruneau/Jarbidge Rivers are two of the most remote and fleeting canyonland rivers in the West. They can be run only for a few months each spring from April to June. If the weather has been dry, the season may last only a few weeks. The 50-mile-long Bruneau is a small river that squeezes through a narrow and deep canyon. In places it is only two boat lengths wide, with water filling it from wall to wall. The rapids include Five-Mile which drops 100 feet per mile for nearly five miles. The 25-mile-long Jarbidge is steep and beautiful, choked with boulders. Expect to bounce off a few rocks. There are no ranches, no old homesteads, no airstrips, no signs of civilization on these rivers.
Snake River
Scenic, no-rapids birdwatching river trips are offered in southern Idaho through the Snake River Birds of Prey Area and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. The Middle Snake River also serves up big waterfalls (Shoshone Falls is higher than Niagara Falls) and the excitement of Class III, IV and V rapids. The South Fork of the Snake, near the Grand Tetons, ranks among the richest fisheries and wildlife areas in the state. Eastern Idaho’s Henry’s Fork of the Snake is famous for its fishing.
Boise River
The Boise River, located just a few minutes from downtown Boise, offers unique recreation opportunities. Flowing through the center of Idaho's most populated urban area, the river is perfect for relaxing family rafting trips and educational experiences because of its flat water and diversity of foliage and wildlife. Cottonwood, willows and maples line the riverbanks as well as numerous species of wild flowers. Eagles, osprey, great blue heron and many other birds frequent its riparian habitat. Deer, mink and beaver are often seen along the shore. Numerous access sites along this 25 mile river stretch and its predictable controlled flows make floating the Boise River a fun and relaxing way to spend part of a day.
Other Rivers And Streams
The St. Joe, one of Idaho’s nine "Wild and Scenic" rivers, is known for its native cutthroat fishing and for beginning paddle rafting trips in June and July. Sports fishing and family river-running trips are offered on the Clearwater River. Silver Creek, near the Sun Valley resort, is a famous fly-fishing creek now protected by The Nature Conservancy. Outfitters also offer guided fishing on the nearby Big Wood River, Little Wood River, Big Lost River, Copper Basin, and Trail Creek. Whitewater trips are available on the fast-flowing Moyie River in North Idaho. Guided hiking, biking, horse, and llama trips lead adventurers to more scenic creeks and streams all over the state.
Lakes And Reservoirs
Idaho outfitters offer guided fishing and sightseeing trips on the state’s major lakes and reservoirs. Lovely Coeur D’ Alene Lake borders the acclaimed northern Idaho resort town of the same name. Priest Lake’s north Idaho shoreline is edged in ferns, evergreens, spruce and hemlock. Lake Pend Oreille is 43 miles long, six miles wide and more than 1,000 feet deep. Dworshak Reservoir is 54 miles long on the Clearwater River near Orofino. Payette Lake provides a stunning backdrop to the mountain village of McCall in central Idaho. To the south is the well-stocked Cascade Reservoir. Spring-fed Henry’s Lake attracts fishermen in eastern Idaho. Bear Lake is the focus of outdoor recreation in southeastern Idaho. Dams on the big Snake River create a series of southern Idaho reservoirs, from Island Park, Palisades and American Falls in the east to huge Brownlee Reservoir on the Oregon border in western Idaho. Guided hiking, biking, horse, and llama trips go to remote high-country lakes all over the state.