Selway River Corridor
The Selway River corridor begins in Lowell where the Selway and Lochsa rivers join. Idaho County Road and Forest Road 223 follows the wild and scenic Selway River through rugged country known for its extraordinary scenery, exceptional water quality and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. A stop at historic Fenn Ranger Station, which is on the National Historic Register, is an easy five-mile drive from Lowell. The east end of the Selway River corridor provides access to three trailheads entering the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. A 42-mile sightseeing drive from Lowell to Selway Falls and back offers the traveler an opportunity to appreciate the pristine beauty of the Selway River, a Wild and Scenic River, as well as picturesque Selway Falls.
For the camper, the Selway Corridor offers 13 campgrounds with restrooms. Hiking and horse trails wind through spectacular backcountry and into the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. The Selway River is home to rainbow, cutthroat, bull and eastern brook trout. Whitewater enthusiasts can experience a thrilling 20-mile float from Selway Falls to Lowell during spring runoff May through June. July through August, the water level provides a slower floating opportunity.
Learn more about this corridor
General Information
Directions:
From Lewiston, Idaho travel east on Highway 12 to Lowell, Idaho. Turn south on Forest Road 223 (Selway River Road). You can take a 42-mile sightseeing drive from Lowell to Selway Falls round trip. Forest Road 222 is paved to O'Hara Creek Bridge. From there the road narrows and has a gravel or dirt surface. Washboard conditions are often present on gravel or dirt roads in the Selway River corridor.
Passes & Permits
A river reservation permit to raft or kayak the upper Selway river can be obtained from the West Fork Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest at (406) 821-3269 or visit the Salmon-Challis National Forest web site. Make reservations at Recreation.gov.
Rentals & Guides
The Lookout Butte Lookout and Meadow Creek Cabin are backcountry rentals available from June 15-September 30. Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or on the internet at Recreation.gov
Links to Lookout Butte Lookout and Meadow Creek Cabin on Recreation.gov
Recreation Sites
Selway Falls Campground
Selway River Corridor
Slide Creek Dispersed Site
Slims Camp
Twenty-five Mile Bar Dispersed Site
Twenty-mile Bar Dispersed Site