Main Salmon

Explore the Iconic River of No Return

Overview

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 some of the best of what Idaho has to offer!

Trip Highlights

6 days, 80 miles
Class II-III whitewater, perfect for families
Refreshing water for swimming and paddling kayaks or stand up paddleboards
Huge sandy beaches for great games, comfortable camping, and star-gazing
Rich history, Native American sites and pictographs, pioneer homesteads, miners and legends of the river
“Hot Tub” hot springs
Rich geologic history through the heart of the Atlanta batholith

In the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness flows the Main Salmon River. Class III “pool drop” 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, pairing a perfect beach vacation with the solitude of a vast wilderness. The water is warm in July and August, which makes for great swimming and inflatable kayaking. Lounge on the beach, or grab your hiking shoes to explore historic homesteads and rocky canyon ridge tops. There’s truly something for everyone. While our veteran guides have the unique opportunity to navigate many different rivers throughout the summer, the Main Salmon is one they hold near and dear. Want to reserve an entire trip for your group? Ask us about charter trips!

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The Stats

Departure Month	June, July, August, September
State / Region	Central Idaho
Adventure Level	Relaxed, Moderate
Price Range	Under $1500, $2000 - $3000
Activities	Whitewater Rafting, Inflatable Kayaking, Family Rafting, Hot Springs, Hiking, Native American Sites, Pioneer History, Rafting, Wildlife

Reviews

Out of this World Float on the Main Salmon

Fantastic trip down the main Salmon. The organization was perfect; excellent food, great equipment. The guides were superb, friendly, efficient - top notch. This is the second trip I have taken with WRO and I can’t wait to go again.

- August 2021

Perfect Guide Support

Our 6-day trip down the Main Salmon was a family dream come true. Our guides—Bridger, Kennedy, Shawn and Matt—were quietly competent and tuned into our every need. Supported our kids and the adults to venture, stretch and relax. The food was delicious; the bedding was clean and perfectly suited to the terrain and weather. We missed the team instantly and dream of the Middle Fork next year.

- July 2021

Now I’m Addicted- Thanks WRO!

We did a 6 day float on the Main Salmon. From start to finish WRO was professional, knowledgeable, and entertaining. They cooked the most incredible meals I've ever tasted while camping, that might have been my favorite part. Every meal was new adventure. Besides the meals, all of the guides were super helpful. They each had an amazing attitude and you could easily tell that they really enjoyed their job. The scenery spoke for itself, we saw at least 4,000 eagles, a bunch of goats, but no big game. The fishing wasn't great since the river was much warmer than usual, but we still caught a few. I would recommend bringing two fishing rods in case one breaks. And if you happen to wear prescription sunglasses/glasses, make sure you have a solid protective case for them. I will definitely be back and I have no hesitation using WRO for my next trip.

- August 2021

See more reasons why we’re ranked so high on Trip Advisor »

Logistics

The Main Salmon trip begins in Salmon and ends in Boise, Idaho.

Before the trip:
Fly commercially into Boise, Idaho, then take Gem Air into Salmon, Idaho. If you plan on driving, you can have your car shuttled with River Shuttles or All River Shuttles.

Driving: If you choose to drive to Salmon, you can arrange to have your car shuttled from Salmon to the take-out (Carey Creek or McCall) by River Shuttles or All River Shuttles.

Gem Air
Phone: 208.756.7382
Website: www.gemairflights.com
Email: [email protected]

River Shuttles
Phone: 800.831.4942
Website: www.rivershuttles.com
Email: [email protected]

Lodging Before: Make your reservations at the Stagecoach Inn (208.756.2919). 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 behind the hotel by the river.

After the trip:
We provide transportation to Boise from the take out. We recommend staying at the Best Western Vista Inn near the airport (800.727.5006). All trips will have a van or bus ride to McCall, then on to Boise for an early evening arrival.

Sample Itinerary

Day before the trip: Arrive in Salmon, Idaho (flights from Boise to Salmon are available through Gem Air). Orientation meeting at 6pm riverside on the back lawn of the Stagecoach Inn. We will distribute river gear and answer any last minute questions.

Day 1: We’ll meet at 8:30am and drive roughly 2 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 maybe stop to 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 pioneer homesteads, soak in a natural hot spring, and relax around camp. Generally, we are on the water for about 4 to 6 hours each day and the rapids are fun class II-III.

Day 6: We’ll have a fun float with one or two good rapids then continue on to the Carey Creek take out. We provide transportation to Boise, Idaho via McCall, Idaho arriving early evening.

FAQs

Camp Life and Meals

Will we be at a new camp every day?

Yes, we do normally change campsites every day.

Will there be a campfire every night?

What clothes should I bring for camp?

How big are the tents? Do we have to share a tent with someone else?

Will my tent be set up for me?

What kind of food will we be eating?

Wonderful, marvelous, gourmet cooking! We are consistently told by guests that we out-do their expectations when it comes to our food’s quality that we can accomplish in the wilderness. Breakfasts always have an early option for yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola before we serve a combination of grains, vegetables, eggs, and breakfast meats, and dinners consist of culinary delights such as wild salmon and steak, many of which are cooked over open campfires and dutch ovens. Lunches are a combination of tasty salads, sandwiches, fruits, and assorted snacks. Healthy and nutritious options are always available, and meals always include fruits and vegetables (local when we can, including veggies from our own greenhouse and garden!). For more information, check out our "Sample Menu" page and our "WRO Garden" page.

Can WRO accommodate dietary restrictions?

WRO will happily provide vegetarian meals and do our best to accommodate any dietary restrictions at no additional cost! Please notify us of any dietary restrictions or allergies as early as possible by completing your online registration so that we can adjust the menu accordingly. In certain cases, individuals may want to supplement meals and snacks with some items of their own.

Does WRO provide drinks/ snacks?

WRO provides ample snacks as well as plenty of drinking water, fruit juices, and coffee, tea, and half and half in the morning. We do not provide soda or alcohol. If you feel you would like to have soda or other canned beverages on the trip, please bring what you wish and we will help keep it cold! You are also welcome to bring your own alcohol (packed in unbreakable containers whenever possible, please).

How does personal hygiene work during the trip?

How does the bathroom system work during the trip?

On the River

How long will we be floating on the river each day?

Each trip is tailored to the desires of the guests, but generally we will be on the water a total of 5 or so hours each day (give or take a couple of hours), broken by a lunch stop and any other side adventures. We usually start floating when the sun hits the water each day and arrive in camp late afternoon. Each day will be a little different, with varying options for hiking, exploring, swimming, fishing, and great lunch stops. Your lead guide will give you an overview of the day each morning.

What will I do with items I need accessible during the day or on the boat?

How will I keep my phone/camera/other valuable items safe from the elements?

What kind of boat will I be riding in?

We usually have a variety of boats so that everyone gets a chance to experience each type of river craft, water level permitting. During your registration, you will note your boat preferences so we can plan accordingly. Unless you have requested otherwise, we typically bring several oar boats, a paddle boat, and a few inflatable kayaks. We recommend trying out each boat and riding with each guide as they all have something different to offer.

If we say we want to paddle, are we committed to paddling the entire trip?

What will temperatures and weather be like? Will it be cold? Will it rain?

Summer temperatures in the Northern Rockies can fluctuate dramatically in a 24-hour period, from cool in the mornings to hot and sunny during the day. Mid summer sunny days can reach the upper 90's! Storms can also roll in unexpectedly, and it’s best to be prepared for anything. Rain is always possible, but trips earlier in the season are more likely to see precipitation and/or cooler temperatures than mid to late summer trips. Check out the weather section of the packing list for specific seasonal information and average temperatures for your trip, as well as checking the weather forecast at Corn Creek, ID (our put-in) and Carey Creek, ID (our take out).

Is it possible to rent a drysuit (spring trips)?

Clothing, Footwear, and Gear

What kind of footwear should I bring? What shoes will I wear in the boat?

For most trips you will need two pairs of shoes, one to wear in the boats and one to wear hiking and around camp. For spring trips, we recommend neoprene socks to wear on the river with your river shoes. By July, water temperatures become warmer and socks may no longer be necessary. Most people enjoy wearing water shoes or sturdy sandals with an ankle strap (popular options include Chacos, Tevas, and Keens). Old running sneakers can also work well as river shoes. Flip-flops can be nice for around camp but you need something that will stay on your feet while we are on the boats. For most trips, sneakers or a lightweight hiking boot will be fine for side hikes.

What clothing should I wear in the boat?

This will depend on the time of year, but usually Main Salmon trips are hot and sunny during the summer. For spring trips, we provide wetsuits, underneath which you can wear long underwear or swimwear. For cooler early-season days you can also wear long underwear, synthetic pants with rain pants over them, and a fleece or other warm layer with your raincoat on top. As temperatures warm up, we might just wear a pair of shorts over a bathing suit, or light pants and a sun shirt. Quick-dry synthetic clothing, layers, and sun protection are the most important things to keep in mind.

Why do you recommend synthetics instead of cotton?

What size and type of sleeping pad does WRO provide?

Can I bring my own sleeping pad/bag/tent/other gear?

How big are the waterproof bags and how much stuff can they hold?

Everyone is issued a waterproof “day bag” to carry items you will need access to during the day while on the river. This day bag is 9 inches in diameter and 20 inches tall. Everyone is also issued a large waterproof bag for your personal gear and clothing. This bag should be plenty large enough for everything listed on our suggested packing list. We recommend limiting your personal gear to 35 pounds.

Logistics

When do we need to be there?

You should arrive in Salmon, ID the day before your trip is scheduled to begin around 5:30. There will be an evening orientation with WRO guides and guests, where we will go over trip details, answer last-minute questions, and hand out Hydroflask coffee mugs and waterproof bags to repack your gear into. You will head to the river the next morning (the official starting date of your trip).

Is there a place to store our non-river luggage while we’re on the river?

How, where, and when do we get our fishing licenses?

If you want to fish, an Idaho fishing license is mandatory, and can be purchased just before you arrive if it is an in-person purchase. If you look at Idaho Fish and Game’s website, it will direct you to options for online purchases that can be mailed to you (allow 3-4 weeks for this option), or also in-person vendors in Lewiston and around Idaho. Idaho also has the option to purchase a fishing license just for the time you are on the river.

Is there somewhere to purchase last-minute items before the trip?

Can I stay at a different hotel than your recommended options before the trip?

You are welcome to stay wherever you’d like as long as you are at 1) orientation the evening before your trip and 2) your trip’s designated pickup location ready for departure the morning your trip begins. We try to recommend the most convenient lodging, which is usually where orientation is held and where group transportation will pick up and drop off guests before and after the trip. There are not taxi or ride share options in Salmon, so take your transportation to orientation and the morning of departure into consideration.