Recreational Activities - Wild and Scenic Rivers

Portions of the following rivers in the Northern Region are components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, providing water-based recreation opportunities in settings that range from pristine and undeveloped to rural.

Middle Fork of the Clearwater River is within the Clearwater NF and the Nez Perce NF

The Middle Fork Clearwater River is located in the Clearwater National Forest, Nez Perce National Forest, and the Bitterroot National Forests. The United States Congress designated the Middle Fork Clearwater River in 1968. The wild section is 54.0 miles; the recreational section is 131.0 miles, leaving its total at 185.0 miles. This river includes the Lochsa River and the Selway River. The Selway mostly lies in Idaho, apart of the Selway – Bitterroot Wilderness. It is known for it’s high in recreational activities, white water rafting, clear, clean water, beautiful scenery with great plant diversity, and abundant wild life!

Lochsa River is within the Clearwater NF

The Lochsa River is located in the Rocky Mountain Region in Idaho and the Clearwater National Forest. The river is 566 miles long, the upper Lochsa is 292 miles and the lower Lochsa is 274 miles long, flowing northeast. There are many Forest Service campgrounds along the way. The best time of season is April, May, June, July, and August. For flow information please contact the Idaho Department of Water Resources. This river is known for its great whitewater rafting, kayaking, and canoeing.

Selway River is on the Nez Perce NF

Flathead River is on the Flathead NF

The Forest Service and the Hungry Horse Ranger District manages the Flathead River located in the Flathead National Forest. The Flathead River was designated by the United States Congress in October of 1976. The river is a total of 219 miles long, with wild being at 97.9 miles, scenic at 40.7 miles, and recreational is 80.4 miles. The Flathead River is known for its recreation, scenery, white water rafting, unique fishing, historic sites, and beautiful wildlife that live nearby.

Rapid River in in the Nez Perce NF

Salmon River is part of the Bitterroot NF, Nez Perce NF, and Salmon NF in R4 and Payette in R4.

Snake River is on the Willowa Whitman NF

St. Joe River is on the Idaho Panhandle NF

Priest River is in the Idaho Panhandle NF

"...certain rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations."

From the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, October 2, 1968

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USDA Forest Service - Northern Region
Last Modified: Thursday, 10 April 2008 at 12:27:17 EDT