Ride the Rapids: Whitewater Rafting in Idaho

If you have any whitewater rafting experience or knowledge at all, you’ve no doubt heard of Idaho’s Big Four: The Middle Fork of the Salmon, the Main Salmon, the Hells Canyon run of the Snake and the ultra-pristine Selway. 

They’re everything that’s advertised, and any opportunity to take a guided trip or self-guided journey on one of these spectacular rivers shouldn’t be passed up. Alas, chances are a guided trip will cost more than $1,000, and as the popularity of these rivers grows, the chances of landing a coveted permit have become ever so remote. 

Toughest of all is the Selway of northeast Idaho, an upside-down L-shaped journey through pine, spruce and cedar forests on some of the purest water in the Lower 48. Only one launch a day is allowed, and the summer window for running the Selway – Nez Perce for, ironically, “Placid Waters” is skinny. 

The Snake and Salmon are a bit easier, but with seven launches a day on each it’s only slightly better than winning $100 in the lottery. 

Best advice: Call every day for cancellations, or … 

Try one of Idaho’s numerous other whitewater floats, which are cheaper and don’t require winning the lottery. 

For a spectacular overnight float, pick up where the Main Salmon floaters leave off: At Riggins, Idaho. This four- to five-day journey cuts an arid canyon on its journey to confluence of the Snake River at the mouth of Hells Canyon. It’s big and warm water, with lots of Class III rollers. Only a handful of rapids require scouting, and only one might be deemed technical. The takeout is just south of Asotin, Washington. 

For the most fun, do a series of one-day floats. Here’s an itinerary, all within a three hours of Boise: 

Day 1: Main Payette. A splash-and-giggle, pool-and-drop float with regularly spaced Class III rapids. A flip here is merely a refreshing swim. Easily accessed on Idaho Highway 55, and a great place to get those rowing strokes tuned up.