Idaho’s Whitewater Rivers Tell a Remarkable Story of the State’s Natural and Human History
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The Selway River
Cutting a 100-mile course through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in north-central Idaho, the Selway is among the original whitewater rivers designated under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Its clear rapids, forested canyons, and abundant wildlife—bald eagles, elk, and Chinook salmon among them—remain much as they have for centuries. For the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu), these waters carried both sustenance and spiritual meaning. Today, the Selway endures as one of Idaho’s purest expressions of wildness.
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Whitewater rafting on the Selway River with SOAR Northwest.
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February 5, 2024
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February 5, 2024
Forged by powerful currents over millennia, Idaho is a state defined by water. Its whitewater rivers tumble from jagged peaks, carve through volcanic stone, and thunder into gorges deeper than the Grand Canyon. And since time immemorial, its rivers have also nourished life and culture—from the sacred waters honored by the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) people to vital supply lines that guided prospectors in search of gold, and beyond.
Today, with 3,100 miles of navigable whitewater—more than any other state in the lower 48—Idaho offers unmatched access to these special places that contain so much of its natural beauty and human history. Whether you're navigating rapids, floating through calmer stretches, or exploring from the shore, each whitewater river invites you to experience the rush of its beauty and the depth of its history.
Ready to experience them for yourself?
The Bruneau River
Named by French Canadian trappers for its dark waters, the Bruneau flows through one of southwest Idaho’s most remote and geologically fascinating landscapes, carving a canyon 1,200 feet deep and 40 miles long. Its towering, breathtaking walls, shaped by ancient lava flows and millions of years of erosion, reveal an explosive volcanic history that sculpted the region and still intrigues geologists to this day. Various forms of rock art adorn the canyon, highlighting the Indigenous peoples who still utilize these lands today. Paddlers can expect powerful rapids, thanks to the river’s tight canyon corridors, and a sense of solitude few ever reach.
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Whitewater rafting on the Bruneau River with Barker River Expeditions.
The Salmon River
Known as the “River of No Return,” the Salmon is one of America’s most storied waterways. Flowing 425 miles through central Idaho, it drops more than 7,000 feet from the Sawtooth Mountains into deep canyons. Along its corridor lie at least 16,000 years of history—archaeological traces of Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) and Shoshone-Bannock people, from pictographs to pit houses and sacred sites. Lewis and Clark deemed it impassable in 1805, and miners later pushed through during the 1860s gold rush. Today, whitewater rafting on the Salmon is a journey through time: past granite cliffs and pine forests, hot springs tucked along the banks, and rock walls more than a billion years old. It’s a living archive of natural history, Indigenous heritage, and exploration.
Watch Here
Whitewater rafting on the Main Salmon River with Orange Torpedo Trips.
The Snake River
Stretching across nearly the entire state of Idaho, the Snake River cuts through a landscape shaped by ancient volcanic eruptions and floods that carved out the Snake River Plain as well as the sheer walls of Hells Canyon—the deepest river gorge in North America. Its tectonic past makes for excellent present day whitewater rapids, perfect for jet boating both down river and upstream against the current. The area is also the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) homeland—visitors can connect with its history through Nimiipuu-guided boating and rafting tours.
Watch Here
Jet boating through Hells Canyon on the Snake River with Killgore Adventures.
The Lochsa & St. Joe Rivers
In north-central Idaho, the Lochsa—meaning “rough water”—rushes through the Clearwater National Forest in a torrent of highly technical whitewater prized by rafters. For centuries, the area was a corridor for trade among Indigenous peoples. To the north, the St. Joe offers a mix of rapids and gentler, forested stretches ideal for anglers and birders. Bald eagles, osprey, and trout thrive here, while Marble Creek Historical Park and the Avery Museum highlight the region’s logging heritage. Together, the Lochsa and St. Joe embody Idaho’s balance of untamed adventure and quiet sanctuary.
Watch Here
Whitewater rafting on the Lochsa River with ROW Adventures.
The Payette River
As a tributary of the Snake, the Payette includes multiple forks with very different landscapes—from calm valleys, hot springs and heritage towns to forests alive with wildlife. Named for French-Canadian fur trapper François Payette, the whitewater river drew gold rush settlers in the 1860s, and by 1913, the Idaho Northern Railroad followed its banks to carry timber and livestock. Indigenous communities, including the Shoshone, Nez Perce (Niimiipu), Paiute, and Bannock, lived seasonally along its shores. Today, the Payette is celebrated for whitewater rafting and kayaking, with the North Fork known among experts for some of the nation’s most challenging rapids, while Cascade Lake, Black Canyon Reservoir, and the Lower Payette River Heritage Byway invite boating, swimming, and scenic drives. Portions of the Payette also include gentler, family-friendly rapids.
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Raft or kayak on the Payette River with Cascade Raft & Kayak.
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Where the Rivers Flow
In a state so deeply defined by water, there’s no better way to explore Idaho’s rich natural and human history than by journeying along its whitewater rivers. Each offers something unique—whether it’s the thrill of adventurous rapids, a deep connection to ancestral traditions and American history, or simply taking in the beauty of the landscape shaped by the current’s flow.
The 3100™, now streaming on YouTube, brings these river journeys to life, revealing how Idaho’s whitewater rivers continue to shape both the land and the people who move with them. Watch the full series to learn more about what Idaho's whitewater rivers have to offer.
The Selway River
Cutting a 100-mile course through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in north-central Idaho, the Selway is among the original rivers designated under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Its clear rapids, forested canyons, and abundant wildlife—bald eagles, elk, and Chinook salmon among them—remain much as they have for centuries. For the Nez Perce (Nimiipu), these waters carried both sustenance and spiritual meaning. Today, the Selway endures as one of Idaho’s purest expressions of wildness.
Watch Here
Whitewater rafting on the Selway River with SOAR Northwest.
The Selway River
Cutting a 100-mile course through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in north-central Idaho, the Selway is among the original rivers designated under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Its clear rapids, forested canyons, and abundant wildlife—bald eagles, elk, and Chinook salmon among them—remain much as they have for centuries. For the Nez Perce (Nimiipu), these waters carried both sustenance and spiritual meaning. Today, the Selway endures as one of Idaho’s purest expressions of wildness.
Watch Here
Whitewater rafting on the Selway River with SOAR Northwest.
The Selway River
Cutting a 100-mile course through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in north-central Idaho, the Selway is among the original rivers designated under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Its clear rapids, forested canyons, and abundant wildlife—bald eagles, elk, and Chinook salmon among them—remain much as they have for centuries. For the Nez Perce (Nimiipu), these waters carried both sustenance and spiritual meaning. Today, the Selway endures as one of Idaho’s purest expressions of wildness.
Watch Here
Whitewater rafting on the Selway River with SOAR Northwest.
The Selway River
Cutting a 100-mile course through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in north-central Idaho, the Selway is among the original rivers designated under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Its clear rapids, forested canyons, and abundant wildlife—bald eagles, elk, and Chinook salmon among them—remain much as they have for centuries. For the Nez Perce (Nimiipu), these waters carried both sustenance and spiritual meaning. Today, the Selway endures as one of Idaho’s purest expressions of wildness.
Watch Here
Whitewater rafting on the Selway River with SOAR Northwest.
The Selway River
Cutting a 100-mile course through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in north-central Idaho, the Selway is among the original rivers designated under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Its clear rapids, forested canyons, and abundant wildlife—bald eagles, elk, and Chinook salmon among them—remain much as they have for centuries. For the Nez Perce (Nimiipu), these waters carried both sustenance and spiritual meaning. Today, the Selway endures as one of Idaho’s purest expressions of wildness.
Watch Here
Whitewater rafting on the Selway River with SOAR Northwest.
Across its forests, ruins, and year-round trails, Medvednica reveals a quieter dimension of Zagreb, shaped by time, terrain, and tradition. It’s a place that rewards curiosity and invites return again and again. Plan your trip at https://www.medvednica.com/en/ or download the Medvednica mobile app to start exploring.