Starting this spring, you’ll be able to cruise to (and from) Idaho.
Nearly 500 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Idaho’s Port of Lewiston is the farthest inland seaport on the West Coast. Located at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, the port is primarily used for agricultural barge transport, but a new cruise dock opening this spring will create the state’s first and only river cruise destination.
Construction is on track for completion in mid-March, just in time to welcome American Cruise Lines on their 2025 season of Pacific Northwest River Cruises, including the popular nine-day Columbia & Snake Rivers itinerary. American Cruise Lines’ small riverboats carry between 90 and 180 passengers.
Previously these cruises (and similar offerings from other lines) ended or began in nearby Clarkston, WA. They would only include land-based shore excursions in Idaho for outings like wine tasting in the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, connecting to “flightseeing” tours, and experiencing jet boating in Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in North America, to admire the breathtaking scenery and Native American pictographs. Lewiston also has provided airport services for cruisers with flights to/from Denver, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.
Now, with the construction of the first-ever facility geared towards cruise ships in Idaho, American will be calling on Lewiston for the first time in 2025.
While the idea of cruising to a mountainous place like Idaho may sound incredible, the state boasts over 100,000 miles of rivers; however, it’s much better known for river rafting. Idaho has more navigable whitewater river miles than any other state in the lower 48, and outfitters offer rafting trips for all ages and abilities. So now that you can cruise to Idaho, you could even continue the water-based fun further inland on a raft.
