Whitewater Rafting on the Main Salmon River in Idaho
Our Salmon whitewater river rafting trips begin in Salmon, Idaho and finish in McCall, Idaho. Five days in length, these journeys are perfect for everyone. Thrilling rapids, such as Salmon Falls, Big Mallard, and Bailey Falls get your adrenaline running. Long, calm pools allow you to unwind. The campsites provide perfect settings to sit back and relax in the peace of a wild place. Or maybe white sheets and whitewater on a lodge stay trip. Our variety of crafts allow for complete whitewater river rafting experience: paddle boats for those wanting to be part of a team driving a raft through boiling waters, oar boats for all who prefer to sit back and watch the world drift by, self-bailing kayaks for kids of all ages seeking full control of their destiny.
Rafting Trip Outline
Trip Orientation Meeting Location
All of our trips depart from Salmon Idaho. Our pre-trip orientation is held at the Stagecoach Inn at 7:00 p.m. the evening prior to your departure date. For reservations at the Stagecoach Inn call 1-208-756-4251. For find information about the town of Salmon visit www.salmonidaho.com
Trip Departure
On the morning of your departure date a shuttle will arrvie in front of the Stagecoach Inn at 7:15 a.m. We will depart the Stagecoach Inn at 7:30 a.m.
Pre-Trip Orientation Meeting
Our pre-trip meeting is held in the court yard out back of the Stagecoach Inn. Here you will meet your trip leader at 7:00 p.m who will give you a thorough presentation of the fun that lies ahead. He or she will also distribute sleeping bags and waterproof “dry” bags in which you should put all of your personal gear and your sleeping bag. You will also get a “day” dry bag in which to put items that you will want as we float down the river. Tents, camp chairs, and sleeping pads will already be packed on the rafts and will be available to you on the river after the first day of rafting.
This pre-trip meeting is a great time to ask any questions or have addressed any last-minute concerns you may have. However, it is important to communicate with the River Time Guide Service office well before your trip to discuss any special needs or wishes you have for the trip. After the meeting, we ask that you put your personal gear in your dry bags so they are ready.
5 – Day Camp Trip Conclusion
These trips end in the mountain town of McCall, Idaho. We put in at Corn Creek and take out at Vinegar Creek from early June to mid-September. On the afternoon of Day 5 your trip ends approximately 80 miles downstream at Vinegar Creek, where we will meet our charter van for the 1.5 hr. drive to McCall. All ground transportation to and from river is included. Once in McCall, you are taken to your hotel or the airport, depending on your post-trip schedule.
3 – Day Camp Trip / Jet Back Conclusion
On the morning of day three our chartered jet-boat meets us on the river. Once we are all aboard we take a 3 hour trip up-river to Corn Creek where it all started. We will have lunch at the Corn Creek campsite prior to boarding a shuttle and heading back to Salmon, arriving around 4 p.m. Once you arrive in Salmon you are taken to your hotel or the airport, depending on your post-trip schedule.
5 – Day Lodge Trip Conclusion
On these trips you will be lodging at a different lodge every night, the last night will be spent at Shepp Ranch. On the morning of the fifth day, after a filling breakfast, you will fly out of the canyon back to your original destination–Salmon, McCall or Boise. This flight back to your original destination is not included in the price.
River Difficulty
The Salmon is a class III-III+ river. Each day on the river we run playful and moderately challenging rapids that are ideal for first time rafters, experienced river runners, families with children of all ages, and others. Certain days are more rapid-filled than others, and there are many long and peaceful calms with scenery that has been described as the most beautiful on earth.
River Difficulty Scale
Class I: Very Easy – small regular waves and riffles; few or no obstacles; little maneuvering required.
Class II: Easy – small waves with some eddies, low ledges, and slow rock gardens; some maneuvering required.
Class III: Medium - numerous waves that are high and irregular; strong eddies; narrow, but clear passages that require expertise in maneuvering; scouting from shore may be necessary.
Class IV: Difficult – long rapids with powerful, irregular waves, dangerous rocks, and boiling eddies; precise maneuvering and scouting from the shore imperative; take all possible safety precautions.
Class V: Very Difficult – long rapids with wild turbulence and extremly congested routes that require complex maneuvering; a danger to your life and boat and near the limits of navigation.
Class VI: The Limits of Navigation – rarely run; a definite hazard to you life.
No Experience Required
First timers, families, friends, experienced rafters, and independent and mature travelers are welcome and thrive on our Salmon River rafting trips. No previous experience is necessary. In fact, this trip has again and again proven to be just right for those on their first wilderness rafting adventure.
Minimum Age Requirements
Our minimum age is 6, except for high-water trips, in which case the minimum age is 16. The maximum age is up to you! Your guides will gladly help with any aspect of our trip that is new for you, whether that means setting up a new tent or learning to paddle.
Participant Fitness And Activity Levels
River Time Guide Service trips are created with fun, curious, and nature-loving adventurers in mind. Our Salmon River rafting trip is ideal for those with a zest for the outdoors, moderate adventures, and self-determined activity levels. While you should be fit and in good health for this trip, you need not be a honed athlete. First-timers, families, friends, experienced rafters, and independent and mature travelers are welcome and thrive on our Salmon River Journeys.
Weather
The Salmon River Journey begins at an elevation of approximately 3,000 feet. May and early June can be cool with temperatures in the 50′s to 80′s during the day and colder at night. Temperatures in July, August and early September are typically in the 80′s and 90′s during the day with warm evenings in the 60′s. Of course, mountain storms can occur any time and weather in any river canyon can be unpredictable. Therefore, it is important to closely follow the gear packing list that we provide in the trip confirmation packet.
Meals and Beverages
We serve gourmet meals prepared with fresh ingredients. We also provide a variety of beverages with each meal. Each afternoon we set up happy hour snacks and beverages. We are also happy to prepare certain foods that you may want or need (including birthday or anniversary cakes).
Please let us know if you have special dietary concerns, and we will plan and cook accordingly.
A note on beverages: Fresh water is available at all times. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and juice are served every morning. At lunch and in camp powdered drink mixes such as Gatorade and Lemonade are available. In addition we furnish a moderate amount of soda, beer and wine with dinner. Typically 1-2 beverages per person, once we have arrived at our campsite for the evening.
You are welcome to bring all the additional beverages that you like. Please avoid glass containers if at all possible! Plastic bottles and aluminum cans work well. If you are planning on bringing beverages for your trip we recommend that you purchase them in Salmon.
On the morning of the launch date the shuttle van driver is more than happy to stop at the North Fork store before heading to the launch site.
Cooking Photo: Eric Evans Photography/CascadeOutfitters
Equipment
River Time Guide Service provides boats, life-jackets, waterproof bags, camp chairs, tables, cups, plates and eating utensils. We also provide sleeping bags, pads, tents, and, when necessary, wetsuits. A complete list of what you should bring will be sent to you after we receive your reservation and deposit.
Camps
We camp along the river in pristine wilderness, usually on expansive sandy beaches or isolated forest glades. In the case of rain, tarps are set up over communal eating and sitting areas. We also carry EZ-Up shade tents that we quickly set up for comfort at lunch on hot summer days. We proudly practice minimum-impact camping and carry out all trash.
Bathrooms and Showers
River Time Guide Service is proud to provide private bathroom and shower cabanas (we call them “huts”) on all of our Salmon trips. These huts are set up in convenient and private locations. The shower hut features hot water that pours from a thermal bag that is securely nestled above your head. Soap holders and towel racks compliment this incredibly sophisticated camp shower system. For the toilet hut we carry a portable metal box chemical toilet (similar to motorhome toilets) that is set up each evening in a private and scenic spot away from the heart of the camping area. A system that will be explained by your guides allows for all campers to know when the shower and toilet is in use. Our guests are consistently impressed with, and appreciative of, the deluxe River Time Guide Service bath systems.
Fishing
Fishing on the Salmon river is generally good. We will gladly carry on the gear rafts any personal fishing gear you want to bring. Depending on the season, anglers may land whitefish, rainbow trout, and steelhead (which must be released during the summer months).
Although salmon are spotted on the river during the summer, they are considered endangered. Therefore, it is against the law to fish for Sockeye or Chinook salmon.
Idaho requires you to have a fishing license if you intend to fish during your visit. Your guide can help you obtain a license at the rendezvous.
Gratuities
Your guides will make every effort to see that the trip is enjoyable and successful. Gratuities for guides are appropriate, greatly appreciated and at your discretion. The common practice is to give the gratuity to the trip leader on the last night of your trip. It will later be divided equally with the rest of the crew. If you are happy with your trip please let us and your guide(s) know. Thanks!