Whitewater Rafting in the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene Region
The ROW Adventure Center has more whitewater rafting experience than any other outfitter in the region.
Since 1979 we have taken over 80,000 guests down rivers in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. Our interpretive guides are well versed in the region's wildlife and history...but more importantly, they know these rivers and will thrill you with a fun and exciting ride!
In the end, it isn't a question of which outfitter you should use but rather which river you should choose!
What rivers near Spokane and Coeur d'Alene can I raft?
- May-June St. Joe and Lochsa
- July-August - Early September - Clark Fork
Which trip will I love the most?
A better question may be: What trips are available when I want to go rafting? For example, you might have previous rafting experience and love the Lochsa, but if you can't raft until late July, then the Lochsa is not an option as by then it's too low for rafting. All the rivers we run are spectacular life-enriching experiences and no matter which you choose we promise you a fun-filled day of discovery. Your schedule may dictate the choices available.
What is the most exciting 1-day trip you offer?
Rivers are rated by the difficulty of their rapids, with Class I-II being easier than Class III (Intermediate) or Class IV (advanced). However bear in mind that the "most exciting" trip may not be the one appropriate for you. Previous rafting experience, water temperature and the age of those in your party determine which trips are appropriate for you. To help you decide, here's a list of rivers along with their season, water temperature and rapid classification from easiest to most difficult. (To learn more about rapid classifications, visit our Understanding Whitewater Classifications blog.
- Clark Fork - Class II-III with warmer (62-68 degree) temperatures in July and August
- Moyie River - Class III-III+ cold (48-58 degree) water in May/June
- St. Joe River - Class III-III+ cold (50-60 degree) water in May/June
- Lochsa River - Class IV - IV+ cold (45 degree) water in May/early June and cool (55-63 degree) in late June/early July
Which of your 1-day trips are best for families with kids under 10?
The Clark Fork River in western Montana is a great trips for families with younger children.
What are the minimum age limits on your 1-day trips?
We have recommended minimum ages for our trips, but other factors matter too. Is your 12 year old small or large for her or his age? Are they are a strong swimmer? Have they been rafting before? In general, here are our guidelines:
- Clark Fork - 7 years
- St. Joe River - 16 at higher flows, 12 at lower flows
- Lochsa River - 16 at higher flows, 14 at lower flows
I've never been rafting before. Is the Lochsa an appropriate choice?
Probably not. We prefer people with previous rafting experience on the Lochsa. Of all the rivers where we run 1-day trips, the chances of falling out of a raft are higher on the Lochsa than any other river. We want your first rafting experience to be a positive one. If you fall out and find out that you're terrified, you may not want to go rafting ever again. It's better to gain experience on an easier river where you're more likely to stay in the raft all day! Here's another way to think of it. Say you had never tasted wine in your life. Someone pours you a 20-year old French Bordeaux. With no point of comparison, the excellence of this wine would likely not be appreciated. Think of the Lochsa as the French Bordeaux. Better to learn more about whitewater on other rivers so you truly appreciate the Class IV power and excitement of the Lochsa's rapids.
We will be visiting Spokane and Coeur d'Alene in early August. What are the trip options?
For rafting, we will be running operations on the Clark Fork river, just across the Montana boarder. This is about 2 1/2 hours east of Spokane.
What are the best trips in June?
June is a time when rivers in our region are still running full as snowmelt pours down from the mountains. We offer trips on the Lochsa and St. Joe in June and all are fantastic options. For those with previous rafting experience looking for big whitewater thrills, the Lochsa is a great choice.
Can we charter a trip for our private group?
Yes! The number of spaces required for a private charter varies from river to river. On the Lochsa you would need to pay for 30 seats. On the Clark Fork, for 42. Contact us for all the options for your church group, family reunion, school reunion, corporate retreat, etc.
Can I go rafting if I don't swim?
Generally yes. Everyone wears a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and this is a more important tool than knowing how to swim. However, often people who swim are more comfortable in water and the idea of falling out of a raft. Your best choices would be an easier river like the Clark Fork.
How many people ride in a raft?
Usually 5-7 people plus a guide ride in a raft.
What options beyond rafting do you offer?
For over 40 years, ROW Adventures has been sharing life-enriching experiences for our guests. In addition, we offer bike tours, E-bike tours, fly fishing trips.
How far in advance should I sign up?
When your plans are solidified, book your trip! Normally we have space available until a few days prior to a trip date. However, some days do fill up and we may not be able to accommodate your last-minute request. Bigger groups tend to book with us in the January-April time frame and often reserve an entire date. You can always check to see if the date you want is available through our online reservation system.
Is rafting safe?
We've taken tens of thousands of people on our trips lasting from 1 to 6 days over the past 40+ years. We do our best to mitigate the natural risks of rafting. However we are human and nature can create difficult conditions. People fall out of rafts, rafts can turn over, people can accidentally hit another person in the raft with a paddle. In the end however, outdoor adventures such as rafting are inherently risky, thus accidents can and do happen.
Can you accommodate diet requests for lunches?
Yes! Our lunches are designed so that meat-eaters and vegetarians have good options. But let us know if your diet is gluten-free, vegan or have anything more strict that being a vegetarian.
How do I get to and from the river?
Just meet us at the designated meeting point for each river and we take care of the local transport from there.
I still can't decide, what should I do?
We have a great library of videos you can access here. These show the rivers and their scenery and may help you decide. And as mentioned above, the choices are always limited by the time of year you want to go rafting. In addition, you are always welcome to call our office for advice.