Black bears emerge from their long winter hibernation, squirrels scamper between trees, elk move to the high country, salmon swim against all odds from the Pacific to the Clearwater River and its tributary creeks to lay their eggs and spawn, bear grass blooms and Idaho’s state flower, the Syringa, bursts out in an explosion of fragrant white flowers. It’s spring in the Bitterroots - a glorious time of new life and renewal.

As temperatures warm, snow melts and the rivers rise. Whitewater rafters from around the world flock to the Lochsa, like swallows returning to Capistrano. They come for the best whitewater rafting trip in North America! The Lochsa river tumbles and plummets over 50 miles with dozens of named rapids. Its a big volume, steep-gradient river - a rare combination. We have weeks when the flows exceed that of the Colorado through the Grand Canyon! While the Colorado drops an average of 11 feet per mile, the Lochsa drops over 30 feet per mile! Combine that drop with a huge volume and you have raft-bashing, kayak tossing waves and holes that are legend.

Whitewater rafting is just one reason people come to River Dance Lodge in the spring. Others come to walk the trails recently bereft of snow and to see avalanche lilies in bloom, lupine and other magnificent wildflowers. Some come to watch birds, or to hike for a soak in a wilderness hot spring. Others are curious to learn about the history of the local Nez Perce.

You can do it all at River Dance Lodge. Our own ROW Adventures has been running rafting trips on the Lochsa since 1984 and remains the most experienced whitewater rafting outfitter on the river. We also offer gentler floats on the lower Selway and Middle Fork Clearwater if that’s more your cup of tea.

Spring weather is unpredictable, but more often than not we have beautiful days of crisp blue skies. The rivers are running fast and cold and on our rafting trips we provide wetsuits and other warm gear.

We offer two options for your springtime all-inclusive adventure vacation. One is a Sunday to Thursday stay and the other is a Thursday to Sunday stay.

Spring Packages: May 15 - June 26
(Click on a package above for daily itineraries, prices and more details)