Clearwater River
Clearwater River is a major tributary of the Snake River, flowing roughly 90 miles through northern Idaho and western Montana. Known for pristine salmon and steelhead runs, it offers scenic float trips, world-class fishing, and access to remote wilderness areas. The river's headwaters rise in the Sawtooth Mountains, and it descends through steep canyons into broad valleys near Lewiston and Clarkston, where it joins the Snake as part of the larger Columbia Basin system.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Pacific NorthwestColumbia Basin |
| Subregion | Northern Rockies |
| Country | United States |
| State | IdahoMontana |
| County | Clearwater CountyShoshone CountyBoundary CountyFergus CountyChoteau County |
| District | Sawtooth National Recreation Area |
| Timezone | AmericaBoise |
| Latitude | 47.543 |
| Longitude | -116.356 |
| Maps |
7:15 PM LOCAL TIMEThe Clearwater River courses approximately 90 miles from its headwaters in the Sawtooth Mountains of central Idaho northward into eastern Washington. Its upper reaches in Shoshone and Fergus counties are characterized by steep gradients, rocky canyons, and rapids suitable for expert whitewater kayaking. As it leaves the mountainous core, it broadens into fertile valleys near Orofino and Pierce, providing vital habitat for salmon and steelhead trout that migrate upriver to spawn. Hydroelectric dams and diversion projects have historically impacted some steelhead runs, but substantial wild populations remain in the free-flowing lower segments. Recreational access is granted along multiple USFS and state-designated routes, with popular activities including float trips from Lewiston upstream to Keyesville, wildlife viewing, and *fishing for species such as Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Chinook salmon) and Oncorhynchus mykiss (cutthroat trout)*. The river's confluence with the Snake River near Lewiston marks a transition to lower-gradient floodplain habitat and ties into a regional network of waterways navigable by larger craft. Visitors should prepare for variable flow levels, seasonal weather changes, and the need for appropriate permits or access agreements to visit the most remote sections.
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