Idaho · Four wilderness rivers
Idaho overnight rafting trips
Five rivers, one lottery, and dozens of outfitters. Compare every Idaho river trip we cover and book a seat without the lottery.
2 to 7 days / 1 to 6 nightsQuick answer
Idaho overnight rafting trips run 2 days, 1 night to 7 days, 6 nights on five rivers we compare: the Middle Fork Salmon, Main Salmon, Selway, Lower Salmon and the Snake through Hells Canyon. Four share one Forest Service lottery for private trips, and a guided trip skips it. Listed prices start at $600 per person (checked September 2026).
Trips by river
Idaho overnight rafting trips by river
Each river page compares every outfitter we found there. Start with the river that fits your dates, your group and your budget.
Idaho · Frank Church Wilderness
Middle Fork Salmon
From $1,895per person with Rocky Mountain River Tours: 4 day, 3 night early season trip. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Idaho · River of No Return
Main Salmon
From $1,650per person with Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures: Adult rate, 2027; ranges to $1,950. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Idaho · Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Selway
From $4,000per person with SOAR Northwest: 2027; $4,500 in 2028. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Idaho and Oregon · Snake River
Hells Canyon
From $1,350per person with Salmon Raft: 3 day, 2 night trip, 2026; 20% off in May and September. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Idaho · Salmon River to the Snake
Lower Salmon
From $600per person with Barker River Trips: 2 day, 1 night Slide trip; year not shown; 3 day, 2 night trip from $1,100. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Each card shows the lowest listed adult price we found for a public overnight trip on that river, from the outfitter's own site, with the trip and year behind it. Every river page compares all of its outfitters.
Side by side
The five rivers side by side
| River | Trip length | Whitewater | Season | Private permit | Outfitters | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Fork Salmon | 4 days, 3 nights to 7 days, 6 nights | Class III to IV+, per the Forest Service | Late May to September | Lottery for private trips only | 25 | $1,895 |
| Main Salmon | 4 days, 3 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Class III to IV-, per American Whitewater | May to October, by outfitter | Lottery for private trips only | 22 | $1,650 |
| Selway | 5 days, 4 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Class IV, per the Forest Service | Late June to August, by outfitter | Lottery for private trips only | 4 | $4,000 |
| Hells Canyon | 3 days, 2 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Class II to IV in summer, per the Forest Service | April to October, by outfitter | Lottery for private trips only | 10 | $1,350 |
| Lower Salmon | 2 days, 1 night to 5 days, 4 nights | Class II to IV, per the BLM | June to September, by outfitter | Free self issue, no lottery | 19 | $600 |
Prices are per person on outfitters' own sites, checked September 2026, and each river page shows the year and trip behind them. Confirm when booking.
The no lottery way in
One lottery, four rivers
Private permits for the Middle Fork, Main Salmon, Selway and Hells Canyon all go through one Forest Service lottery. Applications run December 1 to January 31, results go out February 14, and unclaimed dates open March 16 at 8 am MST.
Outfitters hold their own permits, so a guided trip needs no lottery at all. You pick a date and book it. See the lottery calendar for every window in one place.
Source: Forest Service four rivers lottery.
How to choose
How to choose an Idaho river
How many nights?
The Lower Salmon runs as short as 2 days, 1 night, and Hells Canyon 3 days, 2 nights. The Middle Fork and Main Salmon usually run 6 days, 5 nights, and the Selway 5 or 6 days.
Week long rafting tripsWho is coming?
The Main Salmon and Lower Salmon list the lowest minimum ages, from 5. Selway outfitters that list a minimum start at 12, and the river has Class IV rapids.
Family rafting tripsWhat is the budget?
Listed prices start at $600 on the Lower Salmon, $1,350 in Hells Canyon and $1,650 on the Main Salmon. Selway trips start at $4,000, with only four outfitters and one launch a day.
What rafting trips costQuestions
Idaho overnight rafting questions
Which Idaho rivers have overnight rafting trips?
We compare five: the Middle Fork Salmon, the Main Salmon, the Selway, the Lower Salmon and the Snake River through Hells Canyon. The upper forks of the Owyhee, in Idaho, are on our Owyhee page.
Do I need a permit to raft in Idaho?
Not on a guided trip. Private trips on the Middle Fork, Main Salmon, Selway and Hells Canyon need a permit from the Forest Service's four rivers lottery during each river's control season. The Lower Salmon uses a free BLM self issue permit. Outfitters hold their own permits.
What is the cheapest Idaho overnight rafting trip?
On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, the lowest listed price is $600 per person for a 2 day, 1 night Lower Salmon trip with Barker River Trips or Exodus. In Hells Canyon, 3 day, 2 night trips start at $1,350.
Which Idaho river takes the youngest kids?
The Main Salmon and the Lower Salmon, on the sites we checked. Mackay lists 5 on the Main Salmon; Idaho River Adventures and Winding Waters list 5 on the Lower Salmon. Selway outfitters that list a minimum start at 12.
How long are Idaho rafting trips?
From 2 days, 1 night on the Lower Salmon to 7 days, 6 nights on the Middle Fork. Six days and five nights is the most common length on the Middle Fork and Main Salmon.
When is the Idaho rafting season?
It varies by river. Middle Fork trips run late May to September, Main Salmon trips May to October, Selway trips late June to August, Hells Canyon trips April to October, and Lower Salmon trips mostly July to September.
Middle Fork or Main Salmon?
The Middle Fork runs 104 miles with Class III to IV+ rapids, and listed prices start at $1,895. The Main Salmon's Wild section runs 79 miles, American Whitewater rates it up to Class III+ or IV- at moderate flows, and prices start at $1,650.
Where do Idaho trips start?
Middle Fork trips meet in Stanley or Salmon, many Main Salmon trips start in Salmon, and Selway trips in Missoula or Hamilton, Montana. Hells Canyon outfitters meet in Cambridge, McCall, Halfway or Joseph, and many Lower Salmon trips in Lewiston, Clarkston or Riggins.
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Related trips and guides
- Middle Fork Salmon25 outfitters compared
- Main Salmon22 outfitters compared
- SelwayAll four outfitters
- Hells Canyon10 float outfitters
- Lower Salmon19 outfitters compared
- OwyheeSpring trips; the upper forks are in Idaho
- River permit lotteriesEvery lottery window in one calendar
- Oregon overnight rafting tripsThe Rogue, Owyhee and more
- Montana overnight rafting tripsJust across the border
- Week long rafting tripsFive nights or more on the river
- Family rafting tripsCompare minimum ages
- Outfitter directoryEvery outfitter we list, by name
- What to packRiver and camp clothes
- Plan your tripAll planning guides
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Pick a river, compare its outfitters, then check dates directly with the one you choose.