South Fork Clearwater River

The South Fork Clearwater River winds for about 62 miles through rugged canyons and dense forests of the Nez Perce National Forest in north-central Idaho. Born from the confluence of the American River and Red River in high mountain country near Elk City, it plunges westward then northward through steep gorges up to 2,000 feet deep, paralleled in places by Highway 14, before joining the Middle Fork at Kooskia to form the Clearwater River. A dramatic elevation drop exceeding 5,000 feet, moss-draped rock walls, and vistas of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness define its geography. Recreation centers on advanced whitewater kayaking and rafting amid technical Class IV–V boulder-strewn rapids, while anglers enjoy bank and wade fishing for steelhead, trout, and salmon; riverside trails and campsites invite hiking, camping, and quiet immersion in the wild setting.