The 10 Best Kayaking & Canoeing in Idaho, United States

May 12, 2022 Kaleigh Reichenbach

A mixture of forested mountains, alpine peaks, wildflower meadows, deep river canyons, and high plains deserts, Idaho is a paradise for golf, skiing, fly fishing, and river rafting. Boise, the capital, is the state's largest city and airline hub. North of Boise are golf, lake, and ski resorts from McCall in the south to Sandpoint and Coeur D'Alene in the north. East of Boise are the ski slopes of Ketchum and Sun Valley. East of Sun Valley are Craters of the Moon National Monument, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and the small town of Island Park just across the border from Yellowstone National Park. Boise's Basque Museum and Cultural Center reflects having the largest Basque population in the U.S. Reflecting Idaho's diverse heritage, near the Idaho Historical Museum in Boise's Julia Davis Park is the Idaho Black History Museum's chronicle of the slave York who served the Lewis & Clark Expedition. After a family visit to the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey and an outdoor performance at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, the next stop after Boise is likely to be Payette Lake in McCall or Sun Valley and Ketchum. About 100 miles north of Boise, past Cascade Lake, McCall takes you to the shores of Payette Lake. Go golfing, fishing, hiking, biking, waterskiing, sailing, boating, or whitewater river rafting. Ski or snowshoe Brundage Mountain or Tamarack Resorts, as well as Ponderosa State Park in winter. Ice skate year-round at Manchester Ice & Event Centre. About 450 miles north of Boise, there are resort lakes near skiing and golf at Coeur d'Alene, Hayden Lake, and Sandpoint. Golf, tennis, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, rafting, and hunting are popular in Sun Valley and Ketchum. Sockeye salmon may no longer do much spawning in Redfish Lake, but the boating and mountain scenery in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area make the short trip north to Stanley worthwhile. When the snows come the whole family will head for the slopes of Soldier Mountain, Bald Mountain, Dollar Mountain, or the Sun Valley Resort. A tiny forested town of about 250 people, Island Park has a large reservoir with fishing and boating, as well as Henry's Fork of the Snake River for fly fishing. It's only 15 miles from Yellowstone as well.
Restaurants in Idaho

1. Cascade Raft & Kayak

Excellent
97%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 228 reviews

Cascade Raft & Kayak

Idaho whitewater rafting and kayaking trips departing daily. Large riverside decks, catering facilities available, gift shop, cafe, free parking. Adventure for all ages and skill levels with half and full day whitewater rafting trips. Located less than one hour from Boise!

2. ROW Adventure Center

Excellent
91%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 192 reviews

ROW Adventure Center

The ROW Adventure Center is the leader in outdoor activities in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding area. From whitewater rafting the Spokane River to lake kayaking the Coeur d'Alene...ROW Adventure Center has the activity for you! Since 1979, RAC's parent company, ROW Adventures, has delivered unique, innovative adventure travel tours worldwide. During this time ROW has have served over 200,000 guests from sea kayaking in the Galapagos Islands to whitewater rafting in the Northwest. ROW has been named annually by National Geographic as one of the "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth"...and we are right in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho! The ROW Adventure Center was an idea of the founders, Peter Grubb and Betsy Bowen, for many years. "We wanted to bring our years of experience in adventure travel home!" explains Peter. The ROW Adventure Center now operates all of the local activities in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene for ROW Adventures. We offer both guided and and self-guided whitewater rafting, lake kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, biking, and fly fishing trips, equipment rentals, and guided walking food, wine and history tours of Spokane and Couer d'Alene.

3. Kayak Coeur D'Alene

Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 29 reviews

Kayak Coeur D'Alene

Kayak Coeur d'Alene offers kayaks and stand up paddle board rentals and sales

4. Adventure Sun Valley

Excellent
99%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 149 reviews

Adventure Sun Valley

For over 20 years, Adventure Sun Valley has been offering expertly guided whitewater adventure trips on the Middle Fork, from action-packed day trips to longer expeditions The Middle Fork Salmon River in Idaho boasts over 100 miles of free flowing, crystal clear water and is regarded as one of the top 10 whitewater rivers in the world.

5. Aggipah River Trips

Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 31 reviews

Aggipah River Trips

Since 1977, we've been bringing families and friends together on Idaho's Salmon and Middle Fork Rivers. We're a local, multi-generation, family owned-and-operated company and our guides are chosen for their exceptional professionalism and river skills. Our trips are first class, meals are outstanding with locally-sourced ingredients. Safety and fun are our top priorities. You'll come away with a deeper understanding of Salmon River culture and a true western experience. Join us for a 1-6 day river adventure you'll never forget.

6. Northwest River Adventures

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Northwest River Adventures

We offer 1/2 day, full day, and multi-day whitewater rafting trips along on the beautiful Salmon River. Experience Idaho at its best with Class II through Class IV whitewater rapids. Lots of excitement for the thrill seekers but plenty of stretches of calm peaceful water to enjoy swimming, fishing, or just basking in the sun. We specialize in catering trips for small groups.

7. OARS Dories

Excellent
95%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 39 reviews

OARS Dories

Idaho River Trips With OARS Dories In 1972, Martin Litton sent a young dory guide to Lewiston to expand his fledgling river company, Grand Canyon Dories, into new territory. Since then, OARS Dories has been operating first-class Idaho river trips on the Snake River through Hells Canyon and on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, Main Salmon and the Gorges of the Lower Salmon River.

8. Action Whitewater Adventures

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 18 reviews

Action Whitewater Adventures

This is a 5 Day/4 Night whitewater rafting adventure! We provide gourmet dutch oven style breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All rafting and camping gear is included! Prepare to have the best family vacation in a canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon, with abundant wildlife, stunning views, and awesome water!

9. Middle Fork Adventures

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 30 reviews

Middle Fork Adventures

Idaho's Family Outfitter, offering world class multi-day river trips on the Wild & Scenic Middle Fork Salmon River through the incomparable Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Specializing in full-service trips, farm to table menu, & family fun!

10. Middle Fork Wilderness Outfitters

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 22 reviews

Middle Fork Wilderness Outfitters

Middle Fork Wilderness Outfitters offers rafting, kayaking, and fishing trips on Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River - 100 miles of whitewater through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.