Categories: Travel

Idaho’s Port of Lewiston – River Cruises In Idaho!

Idaho’s New Cruise Dock Puts it on the Map for River Cruises

Idaho’s Port of Lewiston, situated 500 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, is set to become the state’s first river cruise destination.

A new cruise dock, scheduled to open in spring 2025, will expand its capabilities.

The dock’s construction is expected to be completed by mid-March, coinciding with American Cruise Lines’ 2025 Pacific Northwest River Cruises season. This development will allow the company’s 9-day Columbia & Snake Rivers itinerary to include Lewiston as a port of call. American Cruise Lines operates small riverboats with capacities ranging from 90 to 180 passengers.

Idaho: 100,000 Miles of Rivers
Previously, these cruises, along with those of other lines, either began or concluded in Clarkston, Washington. Idaho’s involvement was limited to land-based excursions, such as wine tasting in the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, “flightseeing” tours and jet boating in Hells Canyon. At 7,993 feet deep, Hells Canyon is North America’s deepest canyon, offering scenic views and Native American pictographs. Lewiston has also served as an air travel hub for cruise passengers, with flights connecting to Denver, Salt Lake City and Seattle.

The new facility in Lewiston marks a significant shift, as it’s the first purpose-built cruise ship dock in Idaho. This addition to American Cruise Lines’ itinerary in 2025 opens up new possibilities for travel advisors and their clients interested in exploring the Pacific Northwest by river.

While the concept of cruising to Idaho might seem unusual, the state boasts over 100,000 miles of rivers. It’s particularly renowned for river rafting, claiming more navigable whitewater river miles than any other state in the contiguous U.S. Outfitters in the region offer rafting experiences suitable for various age groups and skill levels.
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