Bear River (Oneida Narrows) in Idaho

Trip Overview

The Oneida Narrows Run begins below the Oneida Dam and continues through about 6 miles of easy whitewater. It's not for someone who has never paddled in a river, but it's easy enough that we chose it for our 3 and 4 yr old grandsons' introduction to whitewater canoeing.

The biggest obstacle on the river is the myriad tubers that put in about midway down the run, at Red Point Campground. Thus, this stretch is best run in the morning, before the tubers hit the water.

There are a couple choices for a takeout -- one is at the posted takeout, which misses 2 rather challenging drops. We like to take out just past the first drop, and have never ventured the second.

Kath and Ron (authors of a guide book) recommend taking out at a bridge about a mile further on--This is also the put in for another nice stretch which is very similar in nature to the Narrows, but the scenery is much more pastoral.

Accommodations:

Marked put in and take out, but no ramps.

There are 2 campgrounds along the river:
Red Point is midway, free and can get overly crowded on holidays.
Maple Grove is just beyond the put in, charges a fee, but is more spread out.

Fees:

no

Directions:

Follow highway 36/34 north from Preston. When the highways split, stay on 36 about three more miles, and turn onto Oneida Narrows road. The posted takeout is about 1.5 miles up the road. The put in is also marked, about 6 miles further. A good run for a bike shuttle.

Resources:

"Kath & Ron's Guide to Idaho Paddling: Flatwater & Easy Whitewater Trips" by Katherine Daly and Ron Watters