MAIN SALMON RIVER
Walk barefoot on the sand. Feel the warm canyon breeze on your face. Soak in a natural hot springs. Whether you are a first time rafter or a veteran river rat, you’ll be enchanted by the Main Salmon River of Idaho. Weaving east to west through the largest wilderness area in the lower 48, the Salmon River passes blanketed wildflower hillsides, deep canyon walls, cascading side streams, and large sandy beaches. Fun, sun, and rapids for the family, a group of college friends, or the solo adventurer. Come see Idaho!
Similar Trips: Middle Fork Salmon • Middle Fork Flathead • Lower Owyhee
- Departure Month:
- August, July, June, September
- Regions:
- Idaho
- Duration:
- Between 3 and 6 days
- Rating:
- Beginner, Intermediate
- Pricing:
- Between $1500 and $2000, Under $1500
In the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness flows the Main Salmon River. Class III rapids promise a fun and exhilarating ride in the capable hands of our seasoned guides. Relax in the oar boat, grab a paddle in the paddleboat, or captain your own inflatable kayak – you choose just how much excitement you want.
The Main Salmon is a rare outdoor adventure that pairs a perfect beach vacation with the solitude of a vast wilderness. The July waters warm for great swimming and lounging on the beach. Or grab your hiking boots to explore historic homesteads and the rocky canyon ridge tops. There’s rappelling, too, for those looking for a challenge. While our veteran guides have the unique opportunity to navigate many different rivers throughout the summer, the Main Salmon is the one they hold near and dear. Our small group size (15 person max.) means your trip will be customized to your interests. Ask us about charter trips!
- 6 days, 80 miles
- Class II-III whitewater, perfect for families
- Refreshing water for swimming and paddling kayaks
- Huge sandy beaches for great games, comfortable camping and star-gazing
- Rich history and homesteads of pioneers, miners and legends of the river
- Barth hot springs and Native American pictographs
Middle Fork/Main Salmon Combination Trip
Extend your vacation by starting 100 miles upstream on the incredible Middle Fork Salmon and tour the entire heart of Idaho.
Combine Salmon River trip with Bear Valley Pack Trip
2012 Schedules and Prices
6-day Main Salmon Rafting Trip Dates
June: June 13-18, June 22-27, June 30-July 5
July: July 8-13, July 16-21, July 24-29
August: August 1-6 , August 9-14, August 17-22, August 25-30
Sept: Sept 2-7
RATES:
6-day June trips ~ $1339.00*
6-day July and August ~ $1545.00*
* Price does not include a $4.00/day Forest Service Recreation Enhancement Act Fee.
Included: Transportation to the river from Salmon and from the river back to Boise. All meals starting with lunch the first day and ending with lunch the last day. We provide the use of our sleeping gear and tents, or you can bring your own gear and receive a $40 discount. We also provide you with Type V life vests, dry bags for your clothing and night gear as well as a small dry bag for use during the day.
Not included: Prices do not include motels before and after the trip and guide gratuities.
DISCOUNTS:
Group, senior and child discounts available.
Charter trips are available for groups of 15 or more. This means your group has reserved the entire trip. Ask for details.
DEPOSIT AND RESERVATION:
Payment: A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your trip with the remaining balance due 45 days prior to the trip.
Cancellation and Refunds:
Operating quality trips is a costly operation with no margin for losses resulting from late cancellations. The space you reserve is held for you, and this may mean turning others away. Each trip is readied for the number of people holding space, guides engaged, supplies bought, rafts and vehicles assigned. If notice of cancellations is made less than 45 days prior to departure, you may transfer to any other trip in the same season without penalty. Otherwise the cost is non-refundable.
Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend that you protect yourself with a short term traveler’s insurance policy. Trip cancellation will cover your losses on non-refundable air and land cost on unexpected cancellations.
Cancelled Trips: We reserve the right to cancel a trip due to insufficient reservations, or weather or water conditions. In such cases, a full refund for the trip is given. If possible, we will offer an option of a different trip of comparable type.
TRIP LOGISITICS
The Main Salmon trip begins in Salmon and ends in Boise, Idaho.
Fly commercially into Boise, Idaho, then take McCall Air into Salmon, Idaho.
McCall Air
Phone: 208.634.7137 or 800.992.6559
Website: www.mccallaviation.com
Email: flying@mccallaviation.com River Shuttles
Phone: 800.831.4942
Website: www.rivershuttles.com
Email: shuttles@centurytel.net
Motel Before: Make your reservations preferably at the Stagecoach Inn (208.756.2919) or the Salmon River Motel (208.756.8880) in Salmon. Your motel will pick you up at the Salmon Airport. We will have an orientation at 6:00pm the evening before your trip begins at the Stagecoach Inn.
AFTER THE TRIP
We provide transportation to Boise from the end of the trip. We recommend staying at the Best Western Vista Inn near the airport (800.727.5006) or at the Owyhee Plaza downtown (800.233.4611).
June and July trips will have a van ride to McCall, then on to Boise arriving early evening. August trips will end with a scenic flight from Mackay Bar to Boise arriving mid-day.
Sample Itinerary
Day before the trip: Arrive in Salmon, Idaho. We’ll meet in Salmon at the Stagecoach Inn the evening before the trip. Flights from Boise to Salmon are available through McCall Air Taxi. Orientation meeting will be around 6:00pm by the river side of the Stagecoach. We will distribute river gear and answer any last minute questions about the trip.
Day 1: We’ll meet at 8:30am and drive 2.5 hours to the Corn Creek put-in. When we reach the river, your guides will be ready to tie your gear down and have a brief river safety talk. Then we’re off. We’ll stop for lunch on a sandy beach a couple of miles down the river, and later look at some Native American pictographs. Soon everyone will start getting into the flow of the trip. After a great afternoon of a few fun rapids and quiet stretches of river we’ll find a nice campsite on a beautiful beach and make our home for the night.
Day 2-5: We like to keep our trips flexible and choose activities that suit each group. There will be opportunities to hike, fish, explore homesteads, soak in a hot springs, relax around camp, and even try rock climbing and rappelling. Generally, we are on the water for about 4 to 6 hours each day.
Day 6: We’ll have a quite float with one or two good rapids then on to Carey Creek take out. We provide transportation to Boise, Idaho via McCall, Idaho arriving early evening.
*August trips: Trips in August will fly directly from an airstrip on the river to Boise. The flight will leave the river mid-morning on the last day.
Driving: If you choose to drive to Salmon, you can arrange to have your car shuttled from Salmon to the take-out (Vinegar Creek) by River Shuttles.
Main Salmon River Suggested Gear
This is the suggested gear list for this particular trip. Having the right gear is important to make it the best possible experience for you. Most of the gear listed you will have or you can use it year-round on any outdoor excursion (football games, boating, skiing, etc.) We want you to have everything you will need to be comfortable and happy.
GEAR PROVIDED- SLEEPING BAG, PAD, GROUND CLOTH, AND TENT, LIFE JACKET, 2 WATERPROOF DUFFEL BAGS (one for sleeping bag, pad and ground cloth and one for clothing), WATERPROOF DAY BAG for items you would like accessible during the day (dry shirt, sunscreen, camera, etc.).
GEAR NEEDED
RAIN GEAR …2 piece with hood is best (avoid cheap plastic, vinyl, or poncho styles).
3 LIGHTWEIGHT SHIRTS …one long sleeved for sun protection.
2 PAIRS OF LONG PANTS…one lightweight and one warm
LONG UNDERWEAR…synthetic is much better than cotton!
SHORTS…lighter material dries fast, good to wear over swimsuit
SWIMSUIT…nylon is best because it dries fast.
CAP & WARM WOOL OR SYNTHETIC HAT …a must for everyone. In case of wind attach with a clip or croakie.
WARM JACKET…some evenings are cool. Synthetic piles are popular because they are warm even when damp.
SOCKS, 3-4 PAIR…One pair of wool for wearing in cool spring weather and several for hiking.
RUNNING SHOES OR HEAVY WALKING SHOES…For hiking and wearing around camp.
RIVER SANDALS or additional running shoes for wearing in the water. (Neoprene socks helpful on spring trips).
SUNGLASSES, TIES FOR GLASSES, an extra pair of prescription glasses even if you wear contacts.
SUNSCREEN & A SUN-SHIRT
SMALL DAY OR FANNY PACK… nice for side excursions.
1 LITER WATER BOTTLE CHAPSTICK
LOTION…the arid climate of the west can dry your skin out
ZIPLOCKS…good for all kinds of things including personal trash and organizing.
BIODEGRADABLE SOAP (if possible), TOWEL AND SHAMPOO
INSECT REPELLENT(occasionally there can be mosquitos in the early season)
FLASHLIGHT…small one works fine. Headlamps work great.
CAMERA…Many people choose to bring additional batteries as one is not quite enough for a whole trip.
FISHING EQUIPMENT if desired.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE, if desired (plastic or aluminum containers please).
Optional; small pillow, pillowcase or mesh bag for dirty clothes, book, journal or musical instrument, and fiesta-wear.
Wilderness River Outfitters provide a MAJOR FIRST AID KIT, however we do recommend you bring your own preferred personal medication and accessories (Advil, Tylenol, Aspirin, Band-Aids, and cold medicine).
Reviews from the Main Salmon River Trip
“We had an incredible trip. I have seen the world and this was by far the best trip I have ever been on. The kids were in their element and we cannot say enough about Jessie, Mark and especially Seth.”
John LaRussa, Alternate Path Adventures, Salmon River
“You should know that the guides did everything possible to provide us with an awesome trip. The river was fantastic but even better was the camaraderie we developed with your WRO family.”
Jeff, Brenda and Jamie Nelson, Middle Fork Salmon River
“Thank you for your strong commitment to the wilderness experience. You did not cut corners. The planning, staff, equipment, supplies, and organization were top. Your family’s personal touch was very evident.”
Alan and Alisha Edmundson
“Thanks for the wonderful experience of a lifetime. I will always remember looking out my tent door to the glacier. I can take that picture with me to the old folks hame if I ever go to one and say, ”I have lived!”
Jackie Bowman-Childers
