See all 6 routes on North Fork Clearwater River
Idaho | North-Central Idaho / Clearwater National Forest
North Fork Clearwater River
Kelly Forks to Aquarius Campground
Check current paddling conditions for this North Fork Clearwater River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A remote 44-mile Class II-III+ North Fork Clearwater corridor with Forest Service camp access, road-side scouting, and an Aquarius Campground take-out.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Kelly Forks AccessUse only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
Take-out
Aquarius Campground AccessConfirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Use only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
- Confirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
- Private banks are common. Do not land, scout, portage, or camp outside a signed public site or manager-designated corridor.
Watch for
- Irish Railroad Class V rapid
- wood and changing road access
- cold water and long rescue distances
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | North Fork Clearwater River near Canyon Ranger Station, ID |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 2,500 cfs to 16,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 2,500 cfs |
| High threshold | 16,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater published runnable window: 2,500-16,000 cfs |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route corridorKelly Forks to Aquarius Campground; About 44 river miles, multi-day
BLM Clearwater River boating guide identifies the endpoint chain, river miles, or managed float corridor.
- Public access controlKelly Forks Access to Aquarius Campground Access
Coordinates represent named public ramps, bank launches, park landings, or an explicitly described staging point.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 13340600 - North Fork Clearwater River near Canyon Ranger Station, ID
Gauge is on the named waterbody and supplies context only.
- Threshold postureGauge-linked range used for live scoring
The cited route guidance is tied to this gauge and reach; hazards, closures, weather, and local inspection still override the score.
- Safety and land managementCurrent manager notices override this record
The corridor includes Class II-III+ water and a Class V Irish Railroad rapid; choose a take-out before that feature unless the party is specifically prepared. Forest Road 247/250 parallels much of the river for scouting and evacuation, but pavement ends upstream of Aquarius and road conditions change seasonally. American Whitewater's 2,500-16,000 cfs band is planning guidance only. Scout wood, weather, water temperature, and each selected section before committing.
- Camping classificationon_route_campsite
Kelly Forks, Weitas, Washington Creek, Riviera, and Aquarius provide named Forest Service camping options; verify openings, fees, and road conditions.
- Image decisionNorth-Central Idaho Clearwater watershed context photograph
Approved route-area or same-river context; it does not depict every endpoint or current conditions.
- Overlap decisionRetained as a distinct access-to-access itinerary
Adjacent cards use different public endpoints and provide a different trip length, hazard set, skill tier, or operating boundary.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- BLM Clearwater River boating guide
- Official access/map control
- USGS 13340600 monitoring location
- USGS 13340600 current conditions
- American Whitewater published runnable window: 2,500-16,000 cfs
- Additional threshold support
- North-Central Idaho Clearwater watershed context photograph
- Idaho boating and invasive-species requirements
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
North Fork Clearwater River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling North Fork Clearwater River?
Paddle Today watches North Fork Clearwater River near Canyon Ranger Station, ID and treats 2,500 cfs to 16,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this North Fork Clearwater River route start and end?
This route starts at Kelly Forks Access and ends at Aquarius Campground Access, about About 44 river miles, multi-day on the water.
Is this North Fork Clearwater River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.