Idaho ยท Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Selway River rafting trips
One launch a day, four outfitters, 47 miles of wilderness. Compare every Selway outfitter and book a seat without the lottery.
5 to 6 days / 4 to 5 nightsQuick answer
Guided Selway River rafting trips run 5 days, 4 nights to 6 days, 5 nights, from late June into August. Only one party may launch each day in season, and four outfitters are listed for the river. Booking a seat skips the four rivers lottery. Listed prices start at $4,000 per person (checked September 2026).
The route
Paradise to Race Creek
The first 27 miles are Class II and III. Then the Moose Juice section begins, which American Whitewater calls by far the most challenging part of the run.
- Mile 0ParadiseLaunch
- Mile 27Moose Juice sectionThe hardest water
- Mile 47Race CreekTake out, near Lowell
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
Miles from Recreation.gov and American Whitewater, which gives 47.8 to Selway Falls. Shown for a 6 day, 5 night trip with a layover day. Camps are set by the outfitter.
Compare outfitters
All four Selway River outfitters, side by side
The Forest Service's Bitterroot outfitter contact list names four Selway outfitters, and the Idaho outfitters association lists the same four. Details come from each outfitter's own site.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per adult | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTA | 5 days, 4 nights to 6 days, 5 nights, with a layover day | Oar and paddle combination rafts; fishing rafts late July and August | Not listed | 12 | $5,200Starting price; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with ARTA |
| Hughes River Expeditions | 5 days, 4 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Oar, paddle | Late June to mid August | 12 to 14 | $4,7502026; $5,100 in 2027; fishing trip $5,600. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Hughes |
| Selway River Adventures | 5 days, 4 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Raft; one inflatable kayak trip | Late June to early August | Not listed (based on ability) | $4,2505 day, 4 night trip, 2027; 6 day $4,500. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Selway River Adv. |
| SOAR Northwest | 6 days, 5 nights, with a layover day | Oar, paddle | Late June to July; fishing trips later | Not listed (varies with flow) | $4,0002027; $4,500 in 2028. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with SOAR |
"Not listed" means we could not find it on the outfitter's site in September 2026. Where a site gives days only, nights are days minus one. The Forest Service list we used is undated. Confirm when booking.
ROW Adventures runs day trips on the lower Selway, outside the wilderness run, so it is not shown.
The no lottery way in
Guided trip or private permit?
From May 15 to July 31, one party of up to 16 people may launch each day, private or commercial. Private groups need to win the four rivers lottery. A guided trip skips it.
No lottery
Book a guided trip
- How you get a spot
- Pick a date with one of the four outfitters above and book it.
- How many dates
- Few. Selway River Adventures runs five to six trips a year; SOAR has four launches in season.
- Trip length
- 5 days, 4 nights to 6 days, 5 nights.
- Where you meet
- Missoula or Hamilton, Montana, the evening before.
Private permit
Enter the four rivers lottery
- When to apply
- December 1 to January 31.
- Results
- Emailed February 14.
- Leftovers
- Unclaimed permits open March 16 at 8 am MST.
- Limits
- One launch a day, up to 16 people; $6 fee.
Sources: Recreation.gov Selway permit page and the Forest Service four rivers lottery.
On the river
What a day on a Selway rafting trip looks like
With one launch a day, groups start a day apart. Many trips build in a layover day in camp.
- Morning
Breakfast in camp, then everything packs back onto the boats.
- Midday
Rapids through the wilderness, with lunch on a beach.
- Afternoon
A scout of the next rapid or a side hike, then on to camp.
- Evening
Dinner cooked by the guides and a night deep in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
What outfitters list as included
- Guides, boats and life jackets
- Meals on the river
- Camp gear
- Transportation to the launch
Hughes says a flight to the Shearer airstrip may be needed at some water levels, paid to the pilot. Check each outfitter's list.
Worth checking before you book
- Backcountry flights, if needed
- Travel to Missoula or Hamilton
- Sleeping bags
- Guide tips
More on camp life, meals and the toilet in river camping, and on tips in tipping your guides.
When to go
The Selway rafting season
The Forest Service control season runs May 15 to July 31. The outfitters we checked run from late June into August.
The road over Nez Perce Pass to Paradise can get snow early in the fall, according to the Forest Service. See when to go rafting for how seasons compare.
Who it suits
Which Selway trip fits you
Whitewater seekers
Class IV rapids and the Moose Juice section. See whitewater camping trips and the whitewater classes guide.
Wilderness lovers
Five or six days in the wilderness, with groups launching a day apart. See week long rafting trips.
Anglers
Hughes and SOAR run fishing trips, and ARTA brings fishing rafts late in the season. See fishing float trips.
Questions
Selway River rafting trip questions
How much does a Selway River rafting trip cost?
On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, prices run from $4,000 per person with SOAR Northwest (2027) to $5,200 with ARTA. That is higher than on the other Idaho rivers we cover. Confirm when booking.
Why is the Selway so hard to get on?
From May 15 to July 31, only one party of up to 16 people may launch each day, private or commercial, according to Recreation.gov. Private groups get those launches through the four rivers lottery, and only four outfitters are listed for the river.
How long is a Selway trip?
Outfitters run 5 days, 4 nights to 6 days, 5 nights, often with a layover day in camp. Recreation.gov puts the float at 47 miles through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
How hard is the Selway?
The Forest Service says the wild section has Class IV rapids. American Whitewater calls the first 27 miles Class II and III and says the Moose Juice section, starting at mile 27, is by far the most challenging. Recreation.gov asks private boaters for technical whitewater experience.
Do I need a permit?
Not on a guided trip. Private trips from May 15 to July 31 need a permit from the four rivers lottery, which takes applications December 1 to January 31. The outfitter holds its own launches.
What is the minimum age?
ARTA lists 12 and Hughes lists 12 to 14. SOAR Northwest says it varies with flow, and Selway River Adventures sets eligibility by ability, such as being able to swim 100 yards.
Where do Selway trips start and end?
Trips launch at Paradise, reached from Darby, Montana, over the Magruder Corridor road. They take out at Race Creek, 24 miles up the Selway from Lowell, Idaho. Hughes, SOAR and ARTA meet in Missoula; Selway River Adventures meets in Hamilton.
When do Selway trips run?
The control season is May 15 to July 31. Outfitters we checked run from late June into August, with fishing trips later in the summer.
Can I fish on a Selway trip?
Yes. ARTA brings fishing rafts on late July and August trips, and Hughes and SOAR Northwest run dedicated fishing trips. See fishing float trips for more.
How many trips do outfitters run?
Very few. Selway River Adventures says it runs five to six trips a year, and SOAR Northwest says it has four launches in the May 15 to July 31 window.
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Keep planning
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- Rafting trip costHow prices compare across rivers
- Plan your tripAll planning guides
Ready to book
Pick your Selway outfitter
Compare trip lengths, boats and minimum ages, then check dates directly with the outfitter.