Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Waterways of Pend Oreille County

This region has always been defined by water. A broad realm of forest and mountain, loosely bounded on the West and South by the Pend Oreille River, the East by Lake Pend Oreille and the North by the Columbia and Kootenai Rivers.

The Pend Oreille River Water Trail covers 70 miles of the Pend Oreille River.  The Water Trail begins in Oldtown, ID, then follows the river north through Pend Oreille County, in Northeastern Washington, all the way up to Boundary Dam, just one mile shy of Southeastern British Columbia, Canada.  And yes, we said north – the Pend Oreille River is one of a handful of major rivers in the U.S. that flows north … it seems that up in Pend Oreille County, even our river goes against the grain.

The Pend Oreille River & Pend Oreille River Valley

The Pend Oreille River is 130 miles long originating from Lake Pend Oreille in the Idaho Panhandle flowing northwesterly until it joins the Columbia River in southeastern British Columbia, Canada.  The Pend Oreille River Valley, located in northeastern Washington, is home to abundant wildlife and offers natural, historical, cultural, and scenic points of interest including the Kalispel Indian Reservation, home to the Kalispel Tribe – the original paddlers of the Pend Oreille. In the early 1800s French-Canadian fur trappers were among the first non-indigenous people to visit the Pend Oreille River Valley. Settlers mined gold, lead, and zinc in the mid to late 1800s with logging emerging as the area’s major industry. Steamboats and the railroad played important historical roles in the economic development of the Pend Oreille River Valley

Pend Oreille River Trail

Water trails offer small boat recreationalists and paddlers the opportunity to travel a designated route along a river by providing access areas, environmental and historical points of interests, relaxing picnic stops, and overnight campsites. They educate on the environment, history, and culture of the area and promote resource stewardship. Water trails provide paddlers with relaxing outdoor recreation, fresh-air fitness, and family activities.

This guide focuses on the 70 miles of river flowing through Pend Oreille County, Washington. The Pend Oreille River is 130 miles long originating from Lake Pend Oreille in the Idaho Panhandle flowing northwesterly until it joins the Columbia River in southeastern British Columbia, Canada.

The Pend Oreille River Valley in northeastern Washington is home to abundant wildlife and offers natural, historical, cultural, and scenic points of interest including the Kalispel Indian Reservation, home to the Kalispel Tribe the original paddlers of the Pend Oreille. In the early 1800s French-Canadian fur trappers were among the first non-indigenous people to visit the Pend Oreille River Valley. Settlers mined gold, lead, and zinc in the mid to late 1800s with logging emerging as the areas major industry. Steamboats and the railroad played important historical roles in the economic development of the Pend Oreille River Valley.

Access Points and Amenities
See the maps that include all access points and amenities along the water trail.

Paddling Safety

  • Take boating and paddling safety courses
  • Wear a properly fitting life jacket
  • Check the weather before you leave
  • Dress for the weather, layer appropriately.
  • Avoid boating alone as there is safety in numbers
  • Leave a float plan. Tell someone where you’re going, when you’ll return, and who’s with you.
  • Do not boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Carry an extra paddle and a whistle to alert passersby in the event of an emergency
  • Carry extra clothing in a waterproof bag so that it stays dry
  • Keep your weight low in the boat. If you change positions, keep one hand on the boat
  • If you capsize, stay with the boat and hold onto it if it is safe to do so. If you are in a current, move yourself to the upstream side of the boat
  • Keep hydrated by drinking non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages
  • Stay near the riverbank
  • Make yourself visible and watch for other boats
  • Stop only in designated areas
  • Portage your boat around areas that you do not feel safe
  • Secure your lines and never tie a rope to yourself or anyone else
  • Do not become complacent about the river

Homeland Security

  • Observe and avoid restricted areas near dams and power plants
  • Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in the channel
  • Watch for anything that looks suspect or out of the ordinary.

Washington & Idaho Boating Regulations

  • Washington boating education, licensing requirements, and safety information can be found on Adventures in Boating Washington, or contact the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission at (360) 902-8844.
  • For information on Idaho boating education, licensing requirements, and safety, please visit Adventures in Boating Idaho, or contact the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation at (208) 334-4199.

For more information check out the PORTA website. There you can download the map for the Water Trail and other great information.