High Adventure River Rafting on the Selway River
The Selway River boasts the most dramatic and extensive whitewater challenge of the four major Idaho rivers that comprise the Four Rivers permit system. The Selway flows through a wetter and cooler environment than the Main and Middle Fork of the Salmon, which are located just a few mountain summits south of the Selway. Famous for its solid Class IV rapids such as Ham, Double Drop, Ladle, and Little Niagara, the latter three forming the meat of an extensive series of whitewater know collectively as the Moose Juice section. These, the biggest rapids on the river are located just below Moose Creek, which empties into the Selway, increasing its volume. The river rafting season for the Selway is shorter than the other Idaho rivers, and only one permit is granted per day. So wilderness isolation on Selway rafting trips is sublime. A permit on the Selway is a rare commodity, eclipsed only by the difficulty obtaining a Grand Canyon river trip permit.Selway rafting trips put in at aptly named, Paradise Idaho, where rafting parties slide their boats down a steep wooden ramp to the river. The upper Selway is lined with old growth Cedar offering signature scenery. All rafting trips take out just above Class VI Selway Falls, a few miles above the confluence of the Selway and the Selway's equally famous whitewater sister, the Lochsa. These two rivers merge to form the Clearwater at the town of Three Rivers, Idaho. The Selway also offers some of the best trout fishing for West Slope Cutthroat on the continent if you can manage to take your hands off the oars long enough to go after 'em!
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Learn about taking rafting trips like these at Multi-Day White Water Rafting Trips - An Introduction To view the Google Maps satellite photo of Paradise click here. Zoom up or down, and drag the photo to follow the river.