Snake River + Lochsa River Whitewater Rafting

Arrive in Cambridge

Arrive in Cambridge, Idaho where you will be met by one of our Team Leaders at the Frontier Motel. At 8 pm, an orientation meeting will be held to answer any last-minute questions you might have and it’s then that you’ll receive your waterproof gear bag. 

ACCOMMODATION : Frontier Motel (not included in trip cost)

MEALS INCLUDED : NA

Rafting the Snake River

We depart from the hotel at 7:30 am and begin a two-hour bus ride to Hells Canyon. Breakfast will be served along the way, so we can launch our rafts once we arrive at the base of Hells Canyon Dam. Before taking to the water, our staff will give a thorough safety briefing, with information on how to paddle and swim through rapids. 

As we raft the Snake River, you’ll notice its “pool and drop” characteristics, with most of the rapids (“drops”) followed by a calm stretch of water (“pool”). On the first day, we will encounter two fun Class IV rapids - “Wild Sheep” and “Granite” - which are sure to get your heart racing. Aside from being on the water, there will also be the opportunity to fish for trout and go on a short hike.

When we break for lunch, your guides will explain how our riverside camps work, including the toilet system, where to brush your teeth and wash up. ROW adheres to “Leave No Trace” principles, so everything we take in with us is also taken out to minimize our impact on the riverine environment.

After lunch, we’ll continue running the river and will arrive at our camp around 4 pm. This gives us plenty of time to set up and relax beside the river before hors d’oeuvres are served. Dinner follows, with the night darkening to reveal an incredible display of stars. 

ACCOMMODATION : Riverside camping

MEALS INCLUDED : B, L, D

Salt Creek

Wake to the smell of freshly brewed coffee before breakfast is served around 7:30 am. After packing up your gear, we’ll depart camp around 9:30 am for a day of thrilling rapids, spectacular scenery, and (hopefully) sunshine. Along the way, we’ll stop to explore a homesteader cabin where you can learn about life in rural Idaho 100 years ago. 

As the river mellows, you can take the opportunity to jump in and float down alongside your raft. We’ll also stop to explore some of the Native American rock art sites found along the banks of the Snake River, with both pictographs and petroglyphs created by the various tribes that traveled through the canyon. 

We will overnight in the Salt Creek area, with another memorable evening spent connecting with family and newfound friends. 

ACCOMMODATION : Riverside camping

MEALS INCLUDED : B, L, D

Kirkwood Historic Ranch + Pittsburgh Landing + Lochsa

Begin the day with a hike to “Suicide Point”, from where you can enjoy stunning panoramas across the Snake River. Our next stop is the historic sheep ranch of Kirkwood to learn about the pastoral industry that once dominated the region. Take time to explore the shearing shed, cabins, and blacksmith workshop that now form part of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. 

Back on the water, we’ll take on some large rapids before arriving at Pittsburg Landing. From here, we’ll travel by bus to the Lochsa River where we’ll spend the night, ready for a new adventure in the morning. If we have 3 or less people on the Snake/Lochsa combo trip, you will need to provide your own transportation from the Snake River take-out to our outpost on the Lochsa river.

ACCOMMODATION : Riverside camping

MEALS INCLUDED : B, L, D

Lochsa River

Today sees us take on some of the most technically challenging whitewater of the trip, which you’ll be ready to handle after three days on the Snake River. Most of the Lochsa River’s 40 main rapids are Class III to IV, with highlights including “Bloody Mary”, “Grim Reaper” and “Ten Pin Alley”. 

Due to the river’s cold water, we recommend you wear a wetsuit or “farmer john”, with a wetsuit jacket you can put on and take off. We will also provide guests with booties, a splash jacket, and a helmet for your safety. 

Your final night will be spent at an enchanting island camp fringed by a cedar forest in the middle of the Lochsa River. 

ACCOMMODATION : Riverside camping

MEALS INCLUDED : B, L, D

Lochsa River

This morning, we will ferry our gear across the river to our awaiting bus before continuing down the river for another 15 miles or so of paddling through the Goat Range. We’ll take on rapids such as “House Wave” and “Termination” before returning to the river banks around 4 pm. Our bus will transport us into Lewiston where a hot shower awaits. If you drove yourself from the Snake to the Lochsa, then no transport is provided to Lewiston.

*Note: On the published dates we may have people doing the Snake/Lochsa Combo and others doing our 5-day Snake river trip.  Everyone starts the trip together and on Day 3 those going to the Lochsa leave the Snake River shortly after lunch to drive to the Lochsa, while those doing only the Snake continue downstream.

ACCOMMODATION : Hell Canyon Grand Hotel, Lewiston, Idaho (not included in trip cost)

MEALS INCLUDED : B, L