Typical Trip Itinerary

Our standard Salmon itinerary is six days. It offers a staggering number of options for activities, historical stops, water craft, etc (it would take many trips to see it all). Leave everything to us – the planning, the cooking, the set up, the cleaning, etc! Just relax and enjoy the rejuvenating mix of adventure, relaxation, and the outdoors on one of the world’s premier wilderness river trips.

Please Note: Our Salmon River trips take place in the wonderfully unpredictable natural environment. Because of this our itineraries are always flexible to accommodate water levels, weather, and our guest’s needs and interests. We also do many custom itineraries. If you are on a custom trip it may be different from the ones below.

6-Day Idaho Salmon Rafting Trips:

The trip begins and ends in Boise and includes a scenic small plane flight to the river and five nights of camping along the river.

Overnight camping trips are an incredible way to fully experience the amazing qualities of the Salmon, nature as a whole, and the people you are with. Most are surprised by the quality of the food, the overall comfort, and the many intangibles that characterize extended time on the river. We are extremely proud of our comfortable camping in wilderness places. As with all our overnight trips the camping on the Salmon is deluxe and the food is excellent and served in a dining room where the sky is the ceiling.

The relaxed pace of the 6-day allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience, with time for activities such as hiking, swimming, fishing, beach games, and just lounging around. We spend the days floating down river, the evenings on large sandy beaches, and the nights under the stars. We fall asleep to the sound of the water gliding by and the anticipation of all that will come from the next day.

Day 1:
Our trip starts in Boise Idaho where we board a small plane for a scenic one hour plane flight over the Idaho Rockies to the little town of Salmon. There you will be met by one of the guides and we will drive a little over 2 hours to our “put-in” at Corn Creek. On the way we will stop at the North Fork Store for last minute necessities, fishing permits, personal drinks, etc. At Corn Creek we will meet the rest of the crew, have lunch by the river, do an orientation talk, and pack our dry bags. After loading our gear and ourselves into the boats we push off and head down the Salmon River and into the largest wilderness area in the Lower 48. For six days we will float the Salmon as it cuts a huge and beautiful canyon through the remote and wild Idaho Rockies. The canyon is home to abundant wildlife including bear, big horn sheep, river otter, dear, bald eagles, and osprey.

Days 2-5:  
Each morning after a hearty breakfast and plenty of time for a second cup of coffee we will break camp and head down river. Days will include time on the water, a lunch stop, time on the beaches, time for optional side hikes (the hiking is world-class), fishing options (also world-class) and stops at side creeks, historic sites, and even natural hot springs. Each day also features sections of big, fun, roller coaster style rapids and views of the incredible beautiful and varied river canyon with peaks rising over a mile above the river. The exact itinerary and length of each day will depend on water levels, weather, and the interests of the group. There is an incredible amount to see and a ton of options – it is a true wilderness playground.

Day 6:
Morning comes once again with coffee, tea and the sound of birds in the canyon. Our last day includes one of the biggest rapids on the trip and a chance to experience the river for one last morning. We reach the end of our river trip around lunch, say goodbye to most of the guides and begin the drive back to Boise and civilization. We will take a quick break in the mountain town of McCall for a snack and a break, say goodbye to the trip leader, and then get back to Boise around 7 in the evening.

 

Find out more about Life on the River >>