Idaho Rafting

Snake River Rafting Itinerary

DAY 1 » Meet your team leader at 7:30am for the two-hour bus ride to Hells Canyon. We'll stop along the way for a ROW-hosted breakfast. Our launch point is at the base of Hells Canyon Dam, approximately 1,500 feet above sea level. Before launching rafts, ROW staff prepares you with a thorough safety briefing while personal gear is loaded. The briefing covers how to ride in a raft, how to paddle, how to swim through rapids, and other tips for the days ahead. Once this is complete everyone chooses a raft - paddle, oar-powered or inflatable kayak - and climbs aboard.

We usually run two big class IV rapids the first day – Wild Sheep and Granite. These impressive rapids never fail to get a guide’s heart pumping. This is also a great day for fishing. The water is a bit cooler at this elevation and fishing for trout in the tail waters of the rapids is almost always successful.

Around 4:00pm we arrive at camp with plenty of free time for hiking, fishing, reading or just relaxing. Hors d’oeuvres are served around 6:00 and dinner around 7:30.

DAY 2 »You'll wake around 7:00am to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee and tea. Breakfast is served around 7:30, and while we clean up the kitchen, you pack up your personal gear. We depart camp about 9:30 for today's rafting adventure. Plenty of rapids, sun and dramatic scenery treat you and we'll explore a homesteader's cabin, root cellar and farm implements

Day 3 » You will hike along the trail at “Suicide Point.” This incredible view offers sweeping panoramas some 300’ above the Snake River. And, back on the rafts, the Snake slowly carries us to our next stop at Kirkwood Historic Ranch, an historic sheep ranch. We visit the sheering shed, blacksmith shop and homesteader cabins.

Day 4, 5, 6 » Spectacular days of scenery and whitewater are complemented by short history lessons and more historic sites. The human drama in Hells Canyon is as intriguing as the many natural wonders we discover, like the fascinating wildlife, plant life and geology.

This is a sample six-day itinerary. Five-day trips cover the same mileage but have less time in camp and for exploring during the day. Three-day trips take-out at Pittsburg Landing at mile 34. Four-day trips in June, when the water is high, cover the same mileage as the five- and six-day trips. While this is a typical itinerary, every trip is unique. This is meant to give you a snapshot of the trip and examples of the things you’ll see and do, but should not be considered an exact itinerary.

Pre-Trip Travel Information

There are many travel options to consider in planning your Idaho rafting vacation. Simply give us a call and we’ll discuss your options and help arrange everything for you.

How to Get to Cambridge, Idaho
Be sure to arrive in Cambridge by about 6:30 p.m. the evening prior to the trip departure in order to be at the orientation meeting. You can (1) drive to Cambridge, Idaho directly or (2) fly to Boise, Idaho and continue to Cambridge via shuttle. Guests using this travel package will meet us at the Boise, Idaho Airport curbside at 4:30 pm on the afternoon prior to your scheduled launch. A bus or van from Harlow’s will meet you for the two hour drive to the Frontier Motel in Cambridge. Cost is $100 per person (includes shuttle to and lodging in Cambridge, as well as lodging in Lewiston, Idaho after your river adventure). An orientation meeting will be held at the Frontier Motel at 7:30 pm.

Where and When to Meet
Travel from your home to Cambridge, Idaho and meet ROW’s Team Leader at the Frontier Motel at 7:30 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST) for a one-hour orientation meeting to answer last-minute questions. You'll also receive your waterproof gear bags. Dinner on your own.

Where to Stay
Day Prior to Departure:
Frontier Motel
240 S Superior St
Cambridge, ID 83610

Last Day of Trip:
Red Lion Hotel
621 21st St
Lewiston, ID 83501

Post-Trip Travel Information

If you drove to Cambridge and had your car shuttled north, it's waiting for you at the hotel. If you're flying, The Red Lion offers free airport service from 8:00am to 9:00 pm.  Otherwise taxi service is available at a reasonable rate. Or you can take a taxi two hours north to the Spokane airport.