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.
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.
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.
This section of the Salmon is suitable for half-day, full-day or multi-day trips ranging from 10 to 52 miles.
lochsa. The Nez Perce Indians named this river “rough
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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.
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dwe Driv C ll ing Coe ascade Mile ur d s Emm ’Alene 25 Idah ett Driv o 76 ing Idah City Tim o Fa 3 9 Lew 0 lls e isto 2 2 5 7 min Mou McCal n 1 4 . 4 ntai l 7 hr 5 hrs 257 s/3 Nam n Home N 2 36 m 0 min p e 71 w M a 108 45 m in Poc eadow s a 44 4 hr in Salm tello 20 5 hr s San on s 119 2 Sun dpoint h 234 40 m rs Twin Valley F 252 20 in Wei alls 1 hr min ser 434 3 hr /20 mi 153 n s/ 4 hrs/ 40 min 128 30 m 72 2 hr 8 hrs in s/ 3 0m 2 i 1 hr hrs n /30 min
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.
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