Best Kayaking in Idaho

Trying to find the best kayaking in Idaho? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

Idaho, Fremont County

01 :41 hrs
4.2 mi
24.875488 ft
II

This section of the Henrys Fork starts at Island Park Dam near Box Canyon Campground. The waterway offers continuous class II rapids as it flows through the canyon within the plateau. The river is also great for fishing, and there are excellent views of the surrounding villages and mountains. The take-out is located near Last Chance and Highway 20.

2

Idaho, Jerome County

05 :17 hrs
13.2 mi
104.85083 ft
IV

The put-in is located near Murtaugh Bridge, off Murtaugh Road and I-84. The river becomes very rocky with technical areas, ledge drops, and moderate to high rapids. Expect big waves, excellent surfing, and wonderful scenic canyon views. Be sure to take out just before the 80 foot drop of Twin Falls downstream. Also, "Pair-A-Dice" can become a class V rapid during high water flow.

3

Montana, Meagher County

24 :26 hrs
59.7 mi
286.23877 ft
II

Smith River is a pristine river that offers an excellent river trip. Best to plan on minimum of 3 days and 2 nights. It flows through a colorful canyon with plenty of wildlife, spectacular scenery and good fishing. The river requires a float permit by calling Montana Fish, and Wildlife. You must also declare your boat campsites before leaving. The permits are a first-come, first-served system. The highlight of the trip is a deep limestone canyon with towering rock formations and thick forests. Best float times are May through June before the water gets too low from irrigation. Flows can pick back up in September for a Fall trip where you might find some solitude. Be prepared for cold and rainy weather which is common even in the warm months.

4

Idaho, Boise County

04 :34 hrs
11.8 mi
143.60321 ft
IV

The put-in is located off Deadwood River Road near Julie Creek Trail, and the trip heads southwest through an isolated canyon. The prime level for the flow of the water is at 700 - 1,500 cfs, and the water is very cold. Expect some strainers, numerous log-jams, and one required portage on river left called "Big Falls". There are signs marking the portage and a good trail. Blackadar rapid is right after the portage.

5

Idaho, Valley County

07 :16 hrs
18 mi
114.245544 ft
IV

This outing starts near Soldier Bar - US Forest Service Airport at the confluence with Middle Fork Salmon River from Big Creek. The trip heads north through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and ends at Salmon River Road. Good camping is available along the way and a Middle Fork of the Salmon permit is also required. There are areas with large boulders and class IV rapids below Coxey Bar. Also, there may be areas where you will be jumping from eddy to eddy, trying to find the right lane to get through the maze of boulders. The best whitewater is found in the Big Creek Gorge, which is near the confluence with Middle Fork Salmon River.

6

Idaho, Island Park

02 :36 hrs
6.3 mi
18.763184 ft
III

The put-in is located at Macks Inn Bridge and Highway 20 at Island Park. The trip leads into a secluded, scenic area with an increase in water flow. You'll pass by Upper Coffee Pot Campground and then run through a series of pool-drop rapids called "Coffee Pot". Be on the look out for log hazards and wildlife. The take-out is at McCrea Bridge on Kilgore-Yale Road near the campground. There are also great views of the Centennial Mountains to the northwest and the surrounding Yellowstone Plateau.

7

Idaho, Lemhi County

11 :45 hrs
29.1 mi
191.4737 ft
IV

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River offers one of the most popular river trips in America, and applications are required to be filled from December 1st through January 31st. This is a dedicated trip that will take up to 8 days to accomplish over 100 miles of a beautiful, scenic waterway. This section of the trip starts at Bernard Bridge and heads north through the Selway - Bitterroot Wilderness and the Frank Church River of No Return with deep canyons and forested mountains. The whitewater sections can be challenging but not too threatening, especially during high water flow. There are also over 100 riverside campsites to choose from, sandy beaches to dig you toes into, and hot springs to soak in. A forest service permit is required with a group of up to 24 people, for up to 8 days. There are also great vistas of the surrounding Salmon River Mountains, Bighorn Crags, and Bitterroot Range. The trip finally ends at the Salmon River confluence and Salmon River Road.

8

Idaho, Valley County

12 :32 hrs
32.3 mi
365.31458 ft
III

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River offers one of the most popular river trips in America, and applications are required to be filled from December 1st through January 31st. This is a dedicated trip that will take up to 8 days to accomplish over 100 miles of a beautiful, scenic waterway. This section of the trip starts at Marsh Creek and heads north through the Selway - Bitterroot Wilderness with deep canyons and forested mountains. The whitewater sections can be challenging but not too threatening, especially during high water flow. There are also over 100 riverside campsites to choose from, sandy beaches to dig you toes into, and hot springs to soak in. A forest service permit is required with a group of up to 24 people, for up to 8 days.

9

Idaho, Valley County

11 :35 hrs
31.1 mi
493.187 ft
IV

This outing starts off Big Creek Road in Valley County near the end of the first section of water from the airfield. Good camping is available along the way and a Middle Fork of the Salmon permit may be required. The trip leads into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and Salmon River Mountains. Expect quite a few areas with log jams, so portaging will probably be required. There are areas with large boulders and class IV rapids below Coxey Bar. Also, there may be areas where you will be jumping from eddy to eddy, trying to find the right lane to get through the maze of boulders. The best whitewater is found in the Big Creek Gorge, which is near the confluence with Middle Fork Salmon River.

10

Idaho, Teton County

04 :55 hrs
13.2 mi
209.01416 ft
V

This outing starts off Highway 75 on Bitch Creek and heads east through the Rocky Mountain Region and the Teton River. A good level of flow for whitwater is at 600 - 800 cfs for class IV rapids, and above 800 for Class V. The whitewater picks up immediately downstream from Highway 32 to Driscoll's Drop. There is a steep rapid requiring a scout on river to check for wood. Z-slots and eddy movements will be expected during the trip as well. There are several areas with class III and IV rapids just before the take-out. Views of the surrounding Teton Range and canyon walls can be observed during the trip.

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