Trip Highlights
Meeting Place: Syringa, Idaho, Syringa Cafe
Meeting Time: 9:00 am (PST)
River Rating: Class I-II
Trip Miles: 15-18 miles
Put-In: varies, depending on water levels
Take-Out: varies, depending on water levels
Return Time: 4:00-5:00 pm (PST)
Trip Length: 1 Day
Age Limit: 5
TRIP INCLUDES: Services of our talented adventure consultants and professional guides, all meals/beverages as indicated in the itinerary, all rafting gear, and transportation to/from river meeting points.
DOES NOT INCLUDE: 8% Land and water access fee, gratuities for guides, travel protection plan, pre-& post-trip hotel, items of a personal nature
Sample Itinerary
9:00 AM
Meet your guides for an orientation meeting & load up in the van
10:00 AM
Safety talk & Load up in the boats
12:00 PM
Lunch Time! Enjoy a delicious lunch and warm up with a cup of tea or hot chocolate.
4:00-5:00 pm
Reach the take-out point, load up in the bus, and drive back to Syringa Cafe and your vehicles.
Please note that due to the nature of the trip times may vary.
Travel Arrangements
Closest Airports:
Lewiston, Idaho
Spokane, Washington
Missoula, Montana
Local Lodging Accomodations:
Reflections Inn
Lodge Rooms
6873 Highway 12
Kooskia, ID 83539
innkeepers@reflectionsinn.com
5.4 miles, 6 minutes
Three Rivers Resort
Cabins, A-frames, & Motel Rooms
115 Selway Rd
Kooskia, ID 83539
208-926-4430
3RiversResortii@gmail.com; reservations can be made online
6.7 miles, 8 minutes
Lewis & Clark Resort
Cabins, Motel rooms, RV & tent sites
4243 Highway 12
Kamiah, ID 83536
208-935-2556
info@kamiahkoa.com
21.9 miles, 24 minutes
Wilderness Gateway
RV & tent sites
Fenn Ranger Station, 831 Selway Rd
Kooskia, ID 83539
208-926-4258
33 miles, 45 minutes
Clearwater 12 Motel
Hotel rooms with a full hot breakfast
108 E 3rd St, Highway 12
Kamiah, ID 83544
208-935-2671
26 miles, 25 minutes
Hearthstone Lodge
Lodge Rooms
3250 US-12
Kamiah, ID 83536
208-935-1492 or 714-658-4532
26.1 miles, 30 minutes
Best Western Lodge at River’s Edge
Hotel Rooms
615 Main St
Orofino, ID 83544
208-476-9999
46.7 miles, 54 minutes
Lochsa Lodge
Lodge buildings/cabins
115 Powell Rd
Lolo, MT 59847
208-942-3405
71.8 miles, 1 hour, 33 minutes
There are various campgrounds in the Highway 12 corridor found on recreation.gov and through the Forest Service.
Weather
Click here to view National Weather Service's weather forecast for Syringa, Idaho.
Weather on the Selway is completely unpredictable. It can be rainy and/or cold in May in early June. In late June and July the weather is warmer and dryer, although you must come prepared for cold weather. You may not use all of the gear listed below, but we recommend bringing it all! If it's a hot day, you can remove some layers.
Getting Ready
Physical Requirements:
Here at ROW Adventures, our first and foremost goal is for you to have an enjoyable and safe experience. While most of our trips are suitable for beginners, some of our trips are more active than others and it’s important that you understand the physical requirement of the trip you choose.
All of our rafting trips are active adventures that involve some level of physical exertion and possible exposure to the elements including but not limited to wind, rain, heat, sun, cold temperatures and cold water conditions. ROW Adventures is able to accommodate people with physical limitations, disabilities, and medical conditions; please speak with your Adventure Consultant if you think you will require any additional assistance while on the trip. We ask that you consult your doctor if you have health or medical conditions that could impact your ability to participate in an active and outdoor adventure. In general, all trip participants must be able to do the following:
- Wear all protective and safety equipment that is required by ROW Adventures and recommended/required by industry-wide standards.
- Load and unload, on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion, the bus and/or van providing transportation for ROW Adventures activities.
- Reach the river access points (put-in and take-out) on their own, or with the aid of a qualified companion.
- Enter and exit the raft, kayak and/or inflatable kayak on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion.
- Remain seated and balanced in a floating raft, canoe, kayak or inflatable kayak w/ the aid of adaptive equipment, if necessary.
- Perform all on water activities, including following instructions that like paddling commands from the guide in class I and higher whitewater on their own or with the assistance of a qualified companion.
- Float on their back when entering moving and still water. The participant must be capable of turning from face-down to face-up in the water with the aid of a Personal Floatation Device and must be able to hold their breath while underwater.
- Remain calm and keep breathing under control in the event of a whitewater swim.
- Get out from under a raft, whether the raft is up-right or capsized, in moving water.
- Climb into the raft, with the help of another person, should an involuntary swim happen at any point on the river.
- Make progress toward the shoreline or a raft by swimming in moving water and must be able to exit the river and ascend the shoreline once reached.
- Participate as an active paddler when instructed by the guide for the duration of the trip.
- Move about the campsite on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion on all trips that include overnight camping and/or lunch.
Packing List
Gear ROW Provides
PFD, Farmer John Wet Suit, Camino Wet Suit Jacket, Wet Suit Booties, Fleece Jacket, and Splash Jacket.
What to Bring:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses with retaining head strap - such as "Chums"
- Swimsuit and/or quick-dry top and bottom
- Tennis shoes or sports sandals with straps (No flip-flops)
- Personal water bottle
- Waterproof camera (optional)
- Towel for the end of the day (optional)
- Polypropylene long underwear or non-cotton base layer on cold days.
Reading List
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
The Lolo Trail: A History and a Guide to the Trail of Lewis and Clark by Ralph S. Space
The Lochsa Story: Land Ethics in the Bitterroot Mountains by Bud Moore
Caulked Boots and other Northwest Writings by Bert Russell
Helpful Links
Visit Idaho: Natural Attractions- Heart of the Monster
Recreation.gov- camping in the HWY 12 area
Forest Service- camping & activities in the HWY 12 area
Lochsa Historical Ranger Station
Terms & Conditions
Click HERE to see Terms and Conditions.