Moyie Rafting

Known by very few people, the Moyie River is a true whitewater rafting gem in northern Idaho. ROW Adventures first pioneered the eleven to fifteen-mile rafting trip on the Moyie River back in 1981. Our trip goes through a densely forested, rugged, and narrow gorge lined with Pine and Cedar and covered with blooming Syringa shrubs and wildflowers. The rapids are bouncy, big and a lot of fun, and they make the Moyie River exciting for everyone!

Beginners will enjoy the Moyie as an introduction to whitewater rafting, and experienced rafters will love the Moyie for the beautiful, green scenery and remote wilderness experience. The rapids are fun, but not too intimidating, making the Moyie a great choice for family rafting trips too. In the end, the Moyie River delivers a very exciting whitewater rafting day that should not be missed.

9:00AM

We'll meet at the Moyie Springs store at 9:00 AM Pacific Time on the morning of the trip. Driving from Spokane you should allow about 2 1/2 hours. From Coeur d'Alene allow about 2 hours. The store is busy with regular local customers in the morning, so please arrive between 8:30-9, but not earlier. If you realize you're early, stop for a cup of coffee at the Three Mile Cafe, just 3 miles north of Bonners Ferry. Or, enjoy the scenic overlook just east of the Moyie Springs store on the other side of the bridge. The store's phone number is (208) 267-6266.When you arrive, pass through the metal gates to the right (west) of the store and park in the back. 

9:30 AM

We'll welcome you and you'll change into the wetsuit provided by ROW. Then we'll drive in our bus about 45 minutes to the put-in, located roughly 5 miles below the Canadian border.

10:00-10:30

We’ll have a safety talk here, and then board the rafts and start our river adventure!

NOON

We take a quick lunch break with delicious food mad by your guides. 

4:00-5:00 PM 

At the end of the day, we return you to the store between 4:00 and 5:00 PM depending on group size, weather, and/or water level.

MEETING LOCATION

Where to Meet: Towards the end of this document, you’ll find directions for how to get to the Moyie Springs store, where we'll meet you at 9:00 AM Pacific Time the morning of the trip. Driving from Spokane you should allow about 2 1/2 hours. From Coeur d'Alene allow about 2 hours. The store is busy with regular local customers in the morning, so please arrive between 8:30-9, but not earlier. If you realize you're early, stop for a cup of coffee at the Three Mile Cafe, just 3 miles north of Bonners Ferry. Or, enjoy the scenic overlook just east of the Moyie Springs store on the other side of the bridge. The store's phone number is (208) 267-6266.
When you arrive, pass through the metal gates to the right (west) of the store and park in the back. Here we'll welcome you and you'll change into the wetsuit provided by ROW. Then we'll drive in our bus about 45 minutes to the put-in, located roughly 5 miles below the Canadian border. We’ll have a safety talk here, and then board the rafts. At the end of the day, we return you to the store between 4:00 and 5:00 PM depending on group size, weather and/or water level.

Driving Directions:

• Head north on Highway 95 and travel through Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.
• Continue north on 95 for three miles to the 3-mile junction.
• Turn right here onto Highway 2 and follow the signs for Moyie Springs/Montana.
• Drive about five miles and look for the Moyie Springs General Store.
• If you cross a high bridge over the Moyie River you've gone too far.  

Map of Moyie meeting point.

The closest airport is in Spokane, WA.

When to Go: Our season on the Moyie runs daily from late May through Early June depending on water levels. As the weather warms up in early spring, snow begins to melt and the river rises. Because most of the Moyie drainage comes from the Moyie and Purcell Mountains in Canada at elevations of around 8,000-11,000 feet, the weather has to get quite warm to create any significant run-off. In a typical year, as air temperatures reach 70-80 degrees in late May and early June, this high elevation snow starts melting, and the river begins to flow adequately for rafting. Since everyone is paddling, we do have an age minimum of 16 during the highwater period and 14-15 upon approval at other times. Accommodations: The area around Moyie Springs and Bonners Ferry is very beautiful and you may want to 
spend an extra day to explore. If you're camping, try the "Yaak River" Forest Service campground or the Meadow Creek Campground. Both are about 15 miles from the store. The Twin Rivers Canyon Resort is a 
private campground very close to our meeting point. For hotels, try the Log Inn of Bonners Ferry (208) 267-3986 or the Best Western Kootenai River Inn Casino and Spa (208) 267-8511. 
This trip meets in Moyie Springs, ID.

Click HERE To see local weather. 

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.

WHAT TO BRING - PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY! ROW provides wetsuits, wetsuit booties, a fleece sweater and splash jacket for your comfort. The wetsuits are Farmer Johns that have long legs but no 
sleeves. During hot weather, the Farmer John is worn alone. Wool or synthetic socks could be worn under the booties on cold days. Cotton makes you colder when wet by wicking away heat from your body. Do not bring cotton on the river! Please use our gear checklist to be sure you pack all you need. This list is based on years of experience. Even if it is sunny at home when you leave, bring all this as the 
weather changes often in North Idaho. You will be able to leave extra clothing on our bus. THIS LIST IS IMPORTANT! Be sure all members of your group read this. Even on sunny days, the water is cold, so you 
have to dress more warmly than you do for land-based activities.

• Swimsuit or non–cotton, long underwear to wear undethe r wetsuit
• Water bottle
• Running shorts/swimsuit to wear over wetsuit (optional),keepss keep you from sliding around on the raft and protects the wetsuit 
• Sun hat/ball cap 
• Towel/change of clothes for end of day 

For cool days and for people who tend to get cold easily:

• Wool or synthetic socks 
• Wool or synthetic cap (like ski hat)
• Wool, synthetic or wetsuit gloves 
• Synthetic leggings/tights (worn under the wetsuit on cold days)

If you don't have any of these things, Army/Navy surplus and Outdoor stores are a good bet for synthetic and inexpensive wool gloves.

(If you have size 13 plus feet, please bring tennis shoes and wool socks, as our booties only go to size 13.)

ROW has an excellent safety record, but you will be required to sign a liability release before the trip, recognizing and accepting the risks involved. If you're interested in travel insurance, please contact our office. We do not allow alcoholic beverages or any drugs on our Moyie River trips. 

Click HERE to see Terms and Conditions.