Class IV Lochsa River, ID
Upper Lochsa (White Pine to Fish Creek)
The classic "Upper Lochsa" is a great continuous class IV whitewater run.
Logistics: The put-in is at White Pine at Highway 12 mile 138.5 and the take-out is at Wilderness Gateway Bridge at Highway 12 mile 122.7. For those looking to shorten the run, alternative river access points include Dead Mile at Highway 12 mile 127.5, Department of Transportation Bald Mountain Maintenance Facility at Highway 12 mile 128.4. Nine Mile at Highway 12 mile 129.5, or wherever you find a convenient pull-out along this stretch of river.
While there are several camping options along the entire Lochsa River, including some nice undeveloped sites, Wilderness Gateway Campground, the take-out for this run, at Highway 12 mile 122.7 (cross the bridge to the campground on river left) offers the most sites and is a popular gathering place for whitewater paddlers in the spring.
Learn more about American Whitewater's great stewardship work here:
Learn more about the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River System here:
rivers.gov/Lochsa RiverSection Details
| Trip Length | Partial Day, 13.0 Miles |
| Fishing | Yes |
| Camping | Yes |
| Permit | No |
| Manager | U.S. Forest Service, Nez Perce Clearwater N.F. |
| Wild & Scenic | Yes |
| Water Trail | No |
| Partner Information |
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nezperceclearwater/recarea/?recid=80042
https://www.rivers.gov/river/clearwater-middle-fork |
| Description | American Whitewater |
