Lochsa River - Whitewater Rafting in Idaho

Overview

Few whitewater rafting trips anywhere on earth offer as much continuous, explosive whitewater as Idaho's Lochsa River (pronounced Lock-Saw). This one to three day rafting trip is big white water that's suitable for intermediate and expert rafters. Huge waves, raft-swallowing holes, paddler-bashing excitement and Idaho mountain scenery are highlights of whitewater rafting trips on the Lochsa River.  Choose a 1 day 20 mile trip, a Super 1 Day 30 mile trip or a 2-3 day adventure.

 

• Trip Duration: 1-3 Days
• Trip Length: 20-60 miles
• Intensity: Advanced, Class III-V
• Season: May - July
• Minimum Age: 15 (17 in high water)
• Begins in: Syringa, Idaho
• Ends in: Syringa, Idaho
• Closest Airport: Lewiston, Idaho; Spokane, Wash. or Missoula, Montana
• Highlights: Class IV-V whitewater, the drop at Lochsa Falls, great fishing in the Fall, hiking on the Selway River Trail after the rafting trip.
• Other Highlights: Easy weekend getaway to the River Dance Lodge, combine a Lochsa trip with a scenic Lower Selway River Trip.

Details

"The three rivers in the Route 12 corridor are designated Wild and Scenic, a federal protection, and they live up to the name. The Lochsa, which means Rough Water in the Nez Perce language, is ferocious and explosive white water, for hard-core rafters. The major stretch has more than 40 significant rapids. By that I mean, bumps with names, bumps that are the focus of many a rafter's dreams. One night in May over dinner at a river rat hangout, (River Dance Lodge in Syringa, Idaho) a couple of guides showed me photos from a busy day on the Lochsa. Every frame was solid froth, with a bouncing raft in the middle of it. "
- From the New York Times, "The Last Wilderness" July 1, 2007

From its headwaters in the Bitterroot Mountains to its confluence with the Selway and Clearwater rivers, the Lochsa River pounds and churns through more than 40 major rapids. The Grim Reaper, Bloody Mary, Ten Pin Alley, Mile Long and the incomparable Lochsa Falls are just a sampling of rapid names on this exciting whitewater river trip. The white water rapids on the Lochsa are exceptionally long and frequent.

The Lochsa River is free-flowing and rafting trips begin as the winter snow begins to melt. Rafting season on the Lochsa begins in early May and goes until the water gets too low for rafting, typically mid-July to early August.

The Lochsa River was one of the original six rivers protected by the U.S. Congress in 1968 as part of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, in part because it is one of the world's greatest whitewater trips. If you've ever rafted West Virginia's Gauley or California's Tuolumne, compare these to the Lochsa and you'll find a new pinnacle of whitewater rafting excitement.

Lochsa whitewater rafting adventures begin and end at the River Dance Lodge, Idaho's Outdoor Adventure Resort. Situated along the banks of the Clearwater River and surrounded by spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery, the River Dance Lodge is the perfect all-inclusive vacation resort if you're looking for a weekend getaway to go with your Lochsa whitewater trip. Package pricing is available.

See how Lochsa River Rafting compares to the Gauley River or Tuolumne River - Lochsa River Comparison

If you need to purchase some gear before your whitewater rafting trip, ROW has assembled the more common items at our ROWear online store, hosted by New Headings.

ROW Difference

The ROW Difference on the Lochsa:

• The most experienced outfitter on the Lochsa River, operating since 1984 under the same ownership. On a world-class whitewater river such as the Lochsa, this experience is critical.
• Trips depart and end at our own River Dance Lodge, which was nominated as one of National Geographic’s top 150 places to stay. All-inclusive Lochsa packages that combine rafting, dining and accommodations in our rustic luxury log cabins with private hot tubs are available for your convenience.
• We have the newest fleet of rafts on the river!
• We provide complimentary wetsuits, booties, helmets, splash jackets and fleeces.
• Our photographer will take your photo through several rapids and you will enjoy a photo slide show at the end of the trip at the Syringa café located at River Dance Lodge.
• We hire experienced guides that average 30 years of age and five years of guiding experience.
• Our guest to guide ratio is six guests per guide.
• Most of our guides are Certified Interpretive Guides, an independant national certification from the National Association of Interpretation. This means your whitewater experience will be enriched with stories about the Nez Perce Indians, the Lewis & Clark trail, local area history and flora and fauna.
• Lunch is most often held on an exclusive island where your guides will cook up a hot, gourmet meal.
• We offer the most comprehensive selection of Lochsa whitewater adventures, including one, two and three day trips.
• Combination trips with mountain biking and/or hiking also available.

FAQ

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Also visit our Whitewater Resources page for additional information.