Home / River Trips / Selway River Rafting Wild and Scenic Selway River Rafting Idaho Length 6 days Meeting Point Missoula, MT Difficulty Class IV Minimum Age 12+ years Starting at $4,500 per person. Book Now Selway River Rafting Idaho Trip Details Packing Guide Schedule & Pricing Starting at $4,500 per person. Book Now Overview The Selway: A Rare Piece of the Untouched West As far as river trips in the Lower 48 are concerned, the Selway is the ultimate. Take the rapids of the Tuolumne, the remoteness of the Illinois, the scenery of the Middle Fork Salmon, the hiking of the Yampa, the campsites of the Main Salmon, etc. etc. etc. and the Selway stands shoulder to shoulder with all of them. And the fishing and lack of other people is head and shoulders ABOVE all of them. We love this place so much we schedule an extra day right in the middle of our trips so that we can enjoy it even more; a layover day where we don’t travel downstream but rather spend two nights at the same camp and gorge ourselves on the cornucopia of Selway treats. The gung-ho take an epic, all-day hike to the Schissler Peak fire lookout and then return with stories of marmots and eagles and bears; the not-so-gung-ho take a nap and then listen. Everyone has a gin and tonic. Pretty amazing place. We are privileged to be licensed to offer trips here. And thankful. The Selway River begins its journey high in the Bitterroot Mountains near the Idaho-Montana border. Heading north into the rugged Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area, the river travels through isolated and primitive country before its confluence with the Lochsa River near Lowell. Our trips cover 47 miles between Paradise Guard Station and Selway Falls in the heart of the Wilderness Area, offering a wilderness river experience with few equals. The Selway is a steep, free-flowing river in a geographically compact drainage basin and has a wide range of flows. Rapids vary from long, technical rock gardens to large, crashing wave trains. The nine mile stretch of nearly continuous rapids below the confluence with Moose Creek earns the river its deserved reputation as one of the best whitewater runs in the United States. Between rapids, the river flows though quiet pools and stretches of crystal clear water over a mosaic of colorful rocks. Whitewater, however, is only one of the many appealing features of the trip. We will have time to hike, fish, swim, and enjoy the many fascinating natural elements of the canyon. The Selway was one of the original rivers to be protected in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and the Forest Service manages it in a highly primitive condition. Only one group, with a maximum of 16 people, is allowed to launch each day. Few people are able to float this wild and primitive stretch of river, and we come away from each trip with a new appreciation for this wonderful remnant of primitive America. Known For The most sought after multi-day trip in the country Group Size 10-12 In a Word Incomparable Included Transportation from Missoula MT, to the Selway and back; all camping gear including thick comfortable sleeping pads, sleeping bags, pillows, and tents; all taxes and hidden fees What to Bring See packing guide Scroll to View Map Download Map "Wonderful trip on the Selway! Guides were capable, kind and engaging. Low water meant lots of opportunities for mistakes yet we cruised the river with ease. Such a fun trip." Carol Hedges Selway River Rafting "We had a fabulous trip on the Selway River with ARTA - the guides were exceptional and every detail was covered. Thank you, ARTA, for a great vacation!" Margaret Osborne Selway River Rafting "Best experience of my life!!! ARTA is an awesome company and the guides were the best people in the world! Hunter, JP, Matt, Dane, Scotty, Annie and Casey were perfect angels keeping us safe on the river and giving us the best adventure of our lives!" Kaitlin McAuliffe Selway River Rafting "Our trip with ARTA was awesome! We had a super enthusiastic and experienced group of river runners, and ARTA took our experience on the Selway to the next level! The guides were outstanding, logistics dialed and everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you Billie, Aaron, Emma, Matt, Issac and Izzy for a fantastic and memorable trip. We highly recommend ARTA!" Wendy Wray Selway River Rafting "ARTA river guides were absolutely the nicest, most generous and helpful river guides anyone could hope for. They cooked fabulous meals, provided meaningful information to enhance my experience and were friendly and cheerful hauling all my gear down the river. I highly recommend ARTA River trips for an excellent experience on your next river trip!" Alice Butler Selway River Rafting Trip Details A downloadable pdf of these trip details (along with more information about what to expect on your trip) can be found below. If you still have questions, please feel free to call us (209-962-7873) or email us (arta@arta.org)). We love to talk about our trips! Download PDF Getting There Itinerary What's Provided On The River Getting There This Trip Will Begin and end at: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Missoula - Edgewater 100 Madison St, 406/728-3100 We will meet you at 8:00 pm the evening before the trip begins. The DoubleTree is along the Clark Fork river and has courtesy airport van service. At the pre-trip meeting we will give you your waterproof bags, go over equipment and packing information and answer any last-minute questions. Get Directions Where to Stay: DoubleTree Edgewater Holiday Inn Downtown Holiday Inn Express Before Your Arrival Driving: The Doubletree is in downtown Missoula just across the Madison Street Bridge from the University of Montana. You may leave your vehicle at the Doubletree during the trip. Flying: Horizon/Alaska, United and Delta have service into Missoula. Try to arrange your arrival flights to make the 8:00 pm pre-trip meeting and we recommend making your departure flight for the day AFTER your trip concludes. Arrival time back in Missoula is usually around 5:00 pm, but could be later; flying out in the morning will give you added peace of mind at the end of the trip. Itinerary Subject to change due to flows Day Before Your Trip Begins We will meet you at 8:00 pm the evening before the trip begins at the Doubletree Inn in Missoula, Montana (100 Madison St, 406/728-3100). The Doubletree is along the Clark Fork river and has courtesy airport van service. At the pre-trip meeting we will give you your waterproof bags, go over equipment and packing information and answer any last-minute questions. Day 1 We will meet at the Doubletree early in the morning and be transported to the launch site at Paradise Guard Station, (2-3 hours). After a thorough safety briefing, we will launch and run a handful of great rapids including Galloping Gertie, Washer Woman, and Cougar Bluff before arriving at our first night’s camp. Day 2 A full day carries us 10-12 miles downriver through major rapids at Goat Creek, Pettibone, and Ham before arriving at the beautiful campsite opposite Moose Creek. We will stop during the day for a picnic lunch and maybe to explore a side stream. Day 3 The third day of the trip is usually a “layover day” which is spent off the river enjoying the Selway’s many other attractions. You can take a strenuous hike to a fire lookout, hike along the river to scout the following day’s rapids, stroll up scenic Moose Creek, fish, relax in camp, or any combination of these. Day 4 - 5 Between Moose Creek and Jims Creek, the Selway earns its reputation as one of the premier whitewater rivers in the world. We will run over 14 major rapids, including Double Drop, Ladle, Little Niagra and Wolf Creek, during this intense, 12 mile day. Final Day (Day 6) On the last day of the trip we will float a shorter stretch to our take-out at Race Creek, just above Selway Falls. After lunch at take-out, we will be transported back to the Doubletree in Missoula (3 hours). What's Provided We Will Provide Transportation from Missoula to the Selway River to start (depending on water levels this is either a van ride into the canyon or an airplane ride into the canyon). Van transfer from the Selway River back to Missoula, MT at the end of your trip. Friendly, professional guide service. All meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day. All camping gear (freshly laundered sleeping bag, liner, pillow, 3" thick Paco Pad style sleeping pad, two-person tent). Waterproof bags, lifejackets, and other specialized river touring equipment for the trip. Camp chair, plate, eating utensils and mug. All taxes and government access fees. What you are responsible for Meals and lodging before and after your trip. Personal clothing and other miscellaneous items. Soda, wine, alcoholic beverages. Guides gratuities. On The River Types of Boats Meals and Drinks Camping Weather Fishing Local Attractions Suggested Reading Travel Insurance Gratuities Types of Boats Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry all of the overnight gear and up to 5 guests. They are rowed by a guide using oars attached to a metal frame. You ride in the front, hang on through the rapids and relax in the calm stretches. Oar-paddle combination rafts are 14 or 16 feet long and are configured so that four or six paddlers can assist a guide who rows the raft using oars. The precision of an oar raft and the power of a paddle raft makes this the ideal rig for the Selway. Fishing Rafts are 14 feet long and are configured with one angler fishing from the bow of the raft and one in the stern. The precision and durability of an oar raft in a light, nimble package. We use these two passenger, smaller “fishing rafts” on our lower water trips typically in late July and August. Meals and Drinks ARTA meals are AMAZING! Guests are often shocked at how wonderful our meals are in a back-country setting. We bring the highest quality ice chests to keep meats, fruits and veggies fresh for the duration of the trip. Meals are designed for foodies (adults) and the occasional picky eater (kids!) alike. Guests can expect to start each day with fresh coffee and well-balanced breakfast, snacks are available throughout the day in the rafts, lunch is prepared riverside with many options, and appetizers are served to kick off the dinner hour early-evening with our main courses and desert to wrap up each day. We are happy to accommodate special dietary request/requirements. Please let us know in your pre-trip registration. We provide water, sports drink powder during the day, and hot coffee, tea, and cocoa in the morning. If you would like soda, beer, wine, or liquor at camp, please bring your own and we will have coolers/ice for you! Please bring beer/soda in cans, we can accommodate wine and liquor in glass bottles. Please bring what you plan to consume. Camping Overnight camping will be done at riverside beaches with spectacular views of the river and canyon. Guides will set up a full kitchen, dining area, drink and appetizer zone, and our ‘living room’ with chairs set up for each guest, a library of books and camp games. Guests will have the freedom to explore and pick out their own unique spot to set up their tents away from the central area, and guides are available to help. Our toilet facilities, and a hand-wash station will be set up in an isolated (and usually beautiful) location; going to the bathroom in the wilderness is surprisingly pleasant, keep in mind we set up the toilet facilities away from camp, a short walk to the toilet, often on uneven ground is part of the deal. Weather The weather in the mountains of Idaho is difficult to predict; we have encountered heatwaves in June and hailstorms in July, so please read the equipment list and come prepared for a variety of conditions. Summer high temperatures usually range between 75 and 90 degrees, cooling off to the 40’s and 50’s at night. June trips can be 10 degrees cooler. Rain, usually in the form of thundershowers, can be expected at any time and good rain protection is essential. The water temperature is a chilly 45 to 55 degrees. Fishing Fishing for cutthroat and rainbow trout is excellent in the Selway and in its tributaries. The fishing is usually best in July, after the high water period. A lightweight fly or spinning outfit works best, and all rods should be protected in a sturdy case. Effective flies include Caddis, Grasshoppers and Irresistables, and spinners such as Mepps and Panther Martins work well. Bring a small assortment. The Selway is a catch and release river so only single, barbless hooks are permitted, and fish caught in the river and tributaries must be released back into the river. To fish, you must have a valid Idaho fishing license, which can be purchased in advance at Idaho Fish & Game. Local Attractions Within a day’s drive of Missoula are Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks, and Sun Valley resort, as well as the Gallitin, Madison and Yellowstone rivers and some of the best fly-fishing in the United States. Suggested Reading We will have a communal library on the trip with lots of reference material and maps. For pre-trip reading, Idaho Loners (Conley) has some great stories about Idaho’s odd hermits, including the tale of William Moreland, the Ridgerunner of the Selway. Lewis and Clark passed through this part of Idaho, so Undaunted Courage (Ambrose) is fun to read before or during the trip. Travel Insurance Because life is full of surprises, we suggest you consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance for your trip. Trip cancellation, evacuation, baggage loss and other coverages are available for between 8% and 15% of your trip cost. You can get more information through ASI Travel Insurance Services (please select American River Touring Association from the drop down menu). Gratuities If you truly enjoy your trip, tipping is a great way to show your appreciation. Tipping is optional and personal, but since a lot of people ask, a customary amount is between 10 and 20 percent of the trip cost. Tips can be given to the Lead Guide who will share them with the entire crew. On The River Types of Boats Types of Boats Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry all of the overnight gear and up to 5 guests. They are rowed by a guide using oars attached to a metal frame. You ride in the front, hang on through the rapids and relax in the calm stretches. Oar-paddle combination rafts are 14 or 16 feet long and are configured so that four or six paddlers can assist a guide who rows the raft using oars. The precision of an oar raft and the power of a paddle raft makes this the ideal rig for the Selway. Fishing Rafts are 14 feet long and are configured with one angler fishing from the bow of the raft and one in the stern. The precision and durability of an oar raft in a light, nimble package. We use these two passenger, smaller “fishing rafts” on our lower water trips typically in late July and August. Meals and Drinks Meals and Drinks ARTA meals are AMAZING! Guests are often shocked at how wonderful our meals are in a back-country setting. We bring the highest quality ice chests to keep meats, fruits and veggies fresh for the duration of the trip. Meals are designed for foodies (adults) and the occasional picky eater (kids!) alike. Guests can expect to start each day with fresh coffee and well-balanced breakfast, snacks are available throughout the day in the rafts, lunch is prepared riverside with many options, and appetizers are served to kick off the dinner hour early-evening with our main courses and desert to wrap up each day. We are happy to accommodate special dietary request/requirements. Please let us know in your pre-trip registration. We provide water, sports drink powder during the day, and hot coffee, tea, and cocoa in the morning. If you would like soda, beer, wine, or liquor at camp, please bring your own and we will have coolers/ice for you! Please bring beer/soda in cans, we can accommodate wine and liquor in glass bottles. Please bring what you plan to consume. Camping Camping Overnight camping will be done at riverside beaches with spectacular views of the river and canyon. Guides will set up a full kitchen, dining area, drink and appetizer zone, and our ‘living room’ with chairs set up for each guest, a library of books and camp games. Guests will have the freedom to explore and pick out their own unique spot to set up their tents away from the central area, and guides are available to help. Our toilet facilities, and a hand-wash station will be set up in an isolated (and usually beautiful) location; going to the bathroom in the wilderness is surprisingly pleasant, keep in mind we set up the toilet facilities away from camp, a short walk to the toilet, often on uneven ground is part of the deal. Weather Weather The weather in the mountains of Idaho is difficult to predict; we have encountered heatwaves in June and hailstorms in July, so please read the equipment list and come prepared for a variety of conditions. Summer high temperatures usually range between 75 and 90 degrees, cooling off to the 40’s and 50’s at night. June trips can be 10 degrees cooler. Rain, usually in the form of thundershowers, can be expected at any time and good rain protection is essential. The water temperature is a chilly 45 to 55 degrees. Fishing Fishing Fishing for cutthroat and rainbow trout is excellent in the Selway and in its tributaries. The fishing is usually best in July, after the high water period. A lightweight fly or spinning outfit works best, and all rods should be protected in a sturdy case. Effective flies include Caddis, Grasshoppers and Irresistables, and spinners such as Mepps and Panther Martins work well. Bring a small assortment. The Selway is a catch and release river so only single, barbless hooks are permitted, and fish caught in the river and tributaries must be released back into the river. To fish, you must have a valid Idaho fishing license, which can be purchased in advance at Idaho Fish & Game. Local Attractions Local Attractions Within a day’s drive of Missoula are Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks, and Sun Valley resort, as well as the Gallitin, Madison and Yellowstone rivers and some of the best fly-fishing in the United States. Suggested Reading Suggested Reading We will have a communal library on the trip with lots of reference material and maps. For pre-trip reading, Idaho Loners (Conley) has some great stories about Idaho’s odd hermits, including the tale of William Moreland, the Ridgerunner of the Selway. Lewis and Clark passed through this part of Idaho, so Undaunted Courage (Ambrose) is fun to read before or during the trip. Travel Insurance Travel Insurance Because life is full of surprises, we suggest you consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance for your trip. Trip cancellation, evacuation, baggage loss and other coverages are available for between 8% and 15% of your trip cost. You can get more information through ASI Travel Insurance Services (please select American River Touring Association from the drop down menu). Gratuities Gratuities If you truly enjoy your trip, tipping is a great way to show your appreciation. Tipping is optional and personal, but since a lot of people ask, a customary amount is between 10 and 20 percent of the trip cost. Tips can be given to the Lead Guide who will share them with the entire crew.