St. Joe River - Idaho Whitewater Rafting

Overview

Portions of the St. Joe River in Idaho's Panhandle are protected by Congress through the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Protected in 1978, ROW Adventures pioneered the first whitewater rafting trip on the scenic St. Joe in 1986. Since then we've taken thousands of guests through the St. Joe's crystal clear waters and thick cedar forests. The Class II-III whitewater is ideally suited for beginners but exciting enough to thrill experienced rafters as well. The St. Joe's narrow canyon walls restrict the river to create big, exploding waves. In between rapids, as we float through this gorgeous Idaho mountain scenery, you can look watch trout swimming in the emerald waters of the St. Joe.

 

• Trip Duration: 1 Day
• Trip Length: 12-16 miles
• Intensity: Intermediate, Class II-III
• Season: May - July
• Minimum Age: 14 (16 during high water)
• Begins in: St. Regis, Montana
• Ends in: St. Regis, Montana
• Closest Airport: Spokane, Wash. or Missoula, Montana
• Wildlife/Scenery: Great fishing, abundant bird life, deer and elk.
• Highlights: Narrow mountain canyon, thick cedar forest, crystal clear emerald-hued water.

Details

Like liquid emerald, the waters of the St. Joe River caress moss-covered banks then explode into paddle-bashing Class III-IV whitewater fun between moss-covered, cedar-lined banks. In 1986 ROW become the first rafting company to offer trips on the St Joe River. Since then, this North Idaho gem has become a favorite whitewater rafting day trip for our guides and guests alike.

Locally, people refer to this river as the slow-moving "shadowy St. Joe," a fitting characterization for this river further downstream near Lake Coeur d'Alene. But ninety miles upstream, at the upper reaches of the river where our rafting trip begins, whitewater enthusiasts find a superb rafting day trip. Sections of the Saint Joe have almost non-stop rapids, and the gin-clear water has a mystical, mesmerizing emerald hue.

We use paddle rafts on our St. Joe rafting trips so everyone gets involved in the fun. During high water flows, we use 14' self-bailing rafts on this whitewater rafting tour. As the water lowers, we switch to smaller 13' rafts in order to maximize the whitewater excitement. We usually see osprey, mergansers and songbirds while floating through this remote wilderness canyon and, when we're lucky, we'll spot a moose, bear or harlequin duck.

During and after the whitewater rafting season, ROW offers guided fly fishing trips on the St. Joe, a Blue Ribbon cutthroat trout stream. Combine a day of rafting with a day of fly fishing on the St. Joe for a great Idaho river trip.

The St. Joe rafting trip meets less than two hours from Spokane and Coeur d'Alene in Superior, Montana. From here, our bus transports you over a mountain pass and back into Idaho to the headwaters of the St. Joe.

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Itinerary

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ROW Difference

Why ROW on the St. Joe River?

• Over 28 years experience as whitewater outfitter.
• Talented, professional guides trained in cultural and natural history interpretation.
• Simple trip logistics, ideal for anyone visiting Coeur d'Alene, ID

FAQ

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Also visit our Whitewater Resources page for additional information.