Idaho Whitewater Rafting, Fishing, Hiking and Wine-Tasting Adventures
O.A.R.S. Idaho rafting trips center around wild lands where life teems above, alongside - and beneath - this beautiful state's roaring, rippling waters.
"The water is so rapid and the bed of the river so rocky, that
going by water appeared impractical; and the mountains so amazingly
high, steep and rocky, that it seemed impossible to go along the river
by land."
- Lewis and Clark journal
entry, August 24, 1805.
Join O.A.R.S. in Idaho for adventurous whitewater rafting trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, the Main Salmon, the Gorges of the Lower Salmon, and in Hells Canyon on the Snake River.
O.A.R.S. has been providing whitewater rafting vacations for nearly 40 years and we learned from decades of experience how to create magical Idaho river rafting trips for you, your family, your friends and your business – stellar and diverse scenery, the beauty of a sleek dory floating downstream, exciting whitewater rapids and captivating companionship. We provide rafting trips on four Idaho rivers, rated Class III-IV, and whether you are a beginner or an expert, we have an Idaho rafting trip for any sense of adventure. Our elite crew of professional and enthusiastic Idaho rafting guides will carefully guide you down these scenic rivers. O.A.R.S. uses high-quality, well-maintained equipment with your comfort in mind.
Listen to yipping coyotes and howling wolves at night. Soak in natural hot springs. Keep watch for black bear, bighorn sheep and other wildlife. See for yourself The West as Lewis and Clark experienced it over 200 years ago. Experience the deepest canyon in the United States. Raft exciting rapids in sun-drenched water. Discover history through Native American pictographs, petroglyphs and pioneer homesteads.
No other Idaho whitewater rafting outfitter offers as many river rafting vacation options, trip variations, or the boat selection that O.A.R.S. has. We provide clean comfortable camps, and we are sure you won’t soon forget our fresh (often organic, always abundant) gourmet meals. For rafters and anglers of all abilities, Idaho is the real deal. Trips include friendly, professional guides who set the gold standard of whitewater rafting safety with unparalleled experience. Many of the folks escorting you down river have been with our company for decades; others were even born into the business. They all work hard to ensure that each of you has a quality trip.
O.A.R.S. Idaho Rafting Trips
Family rafting and beginner trips, as well as Idaho whitewater rafting adventures for everyone…
The Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Salmon River
Journey in an inflatable kayak, paddle raft, oar boat or classic wooden dory (in high water) for 6 days on this stellar Class III-IV Idaho river. Experience 100 miles and more than 100 rapids while descending one of America’s most sought after whitewater rafting experiences. The Middle Fork Salmon River offers constantly changing terrain. Beginning at 6000 feet in elevation in high alpine landscape, the scenery changes significantly traveling through forested hills, open, rolling grasslands, and finally into a narrow, rocky gorge called Impassable Canyon. Along the way, waterfalls and fern-fringed creeks splash unto the river, sandy beaches flank its shores, and natural hot springs offer an indulgent reprieve from running rapids.
Soak in natural hot springs, fish for trout, hike to scenic overlooks, watch for wildlife (black bear, bighorn sheep, moose, etc.), swim in warm water and laze around on big, sandy beaches while enjoying 84-92 miles of Class III whitewater on Idaho’s Main Salmon River. For 6 days you may travel downriver in a wooden dory, inflatable kayak, oar boat or switch it up and paddle in a paddle raft. O.A.R.S. additionally offers an Intermediate Whitewater Kayak School on the Main Salmon River.
The Gorges of the Lower Salmon River
This Idaho river is an outstanding family vacation destination with opportunities for the young ones to learn to paddle. There is plenty of time to soak up the sun, build a sand castle, toss a Frisbee, break out the guitar, scan the skies for bald eagles, osprey and falcons, or simply enjoy a good book while being pampered by the O.A.R.S. guides. We offer 4- and 5-day trips covering 73 miles on the Class III Lower Salmon River. O.A.R.S. additionally offers a Beginning Whitewater Kayak School on the Lower Salmon.
Snake River through Hells Canyon
You choose, 3 days and 31 miles or 5 days and 79 miles on Idaho’s Class III Snake River through Hells Canyon. Either choice offers warm water, warm weather and splashy rapids. This Southern Idaho river runs through the deepest canyon in North America. Relive history by viewing petroglyphs that date back to Native American days and take advantage of bountiful fishing and hiking opportunities.
Idaho White Water Rafting Excitement for the 'Adrenaline-Infused'
Whitewater rafting on the Middle Fork Salmon River with at least 1 rapid every single mile for 100 miles makes for an exceptionally exciting ride! During high-water flows, especially early in the season, this river will have you gasping for more.
Idaho Whitewater Rafting for the Wine Connoisseur
Spend 6 days rafting the Middle Fork Salmon River while sampling wines from Ironstone Vineyards. Ironstone President and whitewater enthusiast Stephen Kautz will personally present his award-winning wines with gourmet cuisine prepared by an executive chef.
Spend 5 days rafting on the Snake River through Hell’s Canyon with Robert Wolfe, president of Oregon Pinot Noir Club, and former editor of Food & Wine magazine. You'll enjoy delicious hors'd’oeuvres with your wine while your evening meal is prepared by a gourmet chef.
Idaho Whitewater Rafting for the Hiking Enthusiast
This Middle Fork of the Salmon River River trip is enhanced with special hikes led by O.A.R.S. guides. In your 6 days descending this river, you’ll experience hikes of all sizes and shapes on this Middle Fork of the Salmon Hiker Special.
Guided Fishing Tips on Idaho Rivers
Spend 4 days fishing on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. For those in the rod and reel set, beginner or expert, early fall on the free-flowing Salmon River is signaled by the biggest hits of the year - some of the finest trout fishing in the nation. The Middle Fork of the Salmon is one of the original Wild and Scenic Rivers. Flowing through the largest federally protected wilderness in the continental U.S., the Middle Fork offers a rugged and varied terrain. Travel through pine-clad mountains, rolling grasslands and narrow gorges. Although the whitewater may be world renowned, simply put, the fishing on the Middle Fork Salmon River is superb, and offers some of the best cutthroat fishing in Idaho.
What types of wildlife inhabit the river canyons and surrounding mountains?
Large mammal population includes: deer, elk, moose, white-tailed deer, mountain goats, mountain lions (cougars), short-tailed bobcat, lynx. Gray wolves were re-introduced to the Idaho wilderness in early 1995. As a result, about 350 wolves now roam the Frank Church Wilderness Area and the Selway/Bitterroot Wilderness to the north, and adjacent country.
Here fishy fishy…
The most popular gamefish in Idaho is the trout. Rainbow, cutthroat and the rare red-band and bull trout are all native to the state’s waters. Brook and German brown trout have been introduced to Idaho’s waters. Fisherman rave about the steelhead and rainbow trout fishing opportunities. Smallmouth bass fishing is at its best on the Snake River. When the high waters of the Middle Fork begin to slow—usually in July—the fish begin to run. The Middle Fork is a catch and release Blue Ribbon trout fishery, teeming with 12-15-inch beauties. If you’re an avid angler, this is the river for you. If you choose to do some fishing on your trip, you will need to bring your own gear. For specific information, call the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at 208-334-3700 or go to the website http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/
Birds in Idaho? You betcha!
The official state bird, the mountain bluebird, is just one of hundreds of birds that may be seen on your Idaho vacation. A year-round population of white pelicans thrives in the Snake River drainage. Idaho has many migratory birds such as the Caspian tern, snowy egret, great blue heron, black-crowned night herons and tundra swan. One of Idaho’s most significant water birds is the trumpeter swan, a large white bird that weighs, on average, 24 pounds and has a wingspan of 10 feet. Game birds include grouse, pheasant and the chukar (a partridge-like gamebird). Idaho’s most notable birds are its raptors. You may have the opportunity to see eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, turkey vultures, northern harriers, kestrels and possible even bald eagles and osprey.
A bit of this, a little bit of that…
Idaho was first inhabited by two native peoples: the Shoshones and Nez Percé tribes. The first outsiders to arrive were probably Eurasian hunters who crossed the Bering land bridge from Siberia during the Ice Age. About 1000 AD Idaho’s tribes began using the bow-and-arrow as their primary hunting tool and began to make and use pottery. Northern and Southern tribes dwelt in winter in circular homes, and a rich tradition of rock art dates from this period. Petroglyphs have been carved into rock walls and boulders and are abundant on the western Snake River Plain.
Perhaps 8,000 Native Americans lived in Idaho in 1805, when Lewis and Clark became the first men to pass through the region that later became a state. Between 1842 and the1860s, more than 50,000 Americans crossed the continent in covered wagons on the Oregon Trail. The trail followed the course of the Snake River for much of its journey through southern Idaho. At the time, Idaho was not a state, but a part of the Washington Territory. Idaho became 43rd state on July 3, 1890, with a population of 88,548. Its 2006 population reached nearly 1.5 million people.
Have you run the wild ones?
Join O.A.R.S. on 
