1-800-346-6277Ultimate Salmon River Experience
16 Days: $3959
17 Days: $4136
Deposit: $450
Additional Costs:
Flight package from Boise or car shuttle; $4/day USFS recreation demo fee
River Rating  | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Class III - IV | 9 Yrs (15 during high water) |
- Legend
- Directions
Enter your starting city
| Destination River | Meeting Parking | Rapid | Point of Interest | Camp | Put-in | Take-out | |
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Ultimate Salmon River Rafting Experience - Overview
No other river trip in the U.S. offers as much diversity in scenery, terrain and whitewater as the Full Salmon River Rafting Experience.
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River boasts non-stop, Class III-IV whitewater, natural hot springs, and excellent fishing. And then there’s the scenery – soft meadows that roll towards the base of soaring mountains, craggy canyons ribboned with waterfalls, deep green forests and grassy hills dotted with wildflowers.
Perhaps the most popular rafting trip in Idaho, and part of the longest un-dammed river in the mainland US, the Main Salmon offers a rich river experience. Free-flowing Class III whitewater that’s great for any age and experience level, big sandy beaches perfect for camping and playing, beautiful mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and a natural hot spring are among the hallmarks of the Main.
The Lower Salmon runs through the warmer, drier canyon country of the Seven Devils which differs from much of Idaho's forested and mountainous wilderness. Not confined to just one river canyon, the Lower Salmon River actually flows through four separate gorges – Green, Cougar, Snow Hole and Blue canyons – interspersed with sprawling, wide-open vistas. Bejeweled with some of the biggest and most beautiful white sand beaches of any western river, the Lower Salmon is the perfect destination for water-based fun in the sun.
Ultimate Salmon River Rafting - Itinerary at a Glance
- Board a scenic flight to the put-in of your Full Salmon River Rafting Experience, where boats, crew and river await
- Enjoy fantastic alpine scenery, deep green forests, dramatic mountains, and crystal clear creeks that flow out of the woods and into the river
- Soak in a steaming natural hot spring after braving Velvet Falls and Ramshorn rapids
- Watch the scenery change from high mountains to gently rolling hills as the forests give way to miles of open grassland dotted with cool glades of pine
- Run huge rapids like Powerhouse and Pistol Creek, maybe in an inflatable kayak or paddle boat
- After another soak in a hot spring, explore caves decorated with Sheepeater Indian pictographs
- Hike to the magnificent Veil Falls, and view it plummeting into a natural amphitheatre
- Challenge some of the most high-intensity and continuous whitewater of the trip through Impassable Canyon; paddle through Redside, Rubber and Hancock rapids before reaching the confluence with the Main Salmon River
- Enter the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and embark on the second portion of the journey on the Main Salmon through a heavily forested canyon with towering pines and early season blankets of vibrant wildflowers.
- Experience rapids like Salmon Falls, Big Mallard and Growler, historical sites such as Buckskin Bill’s homestead and prospector Jim Moore’s place (maybe find the fortune he buried in the hillside!), and the much anticipated Barth Hot Springs.
- Enjoy a challenging climb to Rabbit Point, soak in another hot spring, and challenge some of the river’s best rapids, including Ruby and Lake Creek Bridge.
- The Lower Salmon, which flows through dry, golden canyons, marks the beginning of the trip’s third portion, as the river takes its guests through yet another change in landscape
- Swim through Roller Coaster rapid which marks the entrance to Green Canyon
- Visit ancient pictographs before continuing the whitewater adventure through Wright-way, Demon's Drop and Pine Bar rapids
- Snow Hole Canyon provides some of the biggest, most exciting whitewater of the Lower Salmon: Half & Half, Snow Hole and China Bar rapids
- Climb to a vista point for an impressive bird’s-eye view of the river winding through the steep and slender canyon
- After an epic 17-day Full Salmon River Rafting Experience of 308 miles, arrive at Heller Bar take-out and board shuttle for return to civilization.
- Testimonials
- Reviews
- Write a Review
"An outstanding trip in all regards - extremely well planned and executed. Guides were knowledgeable, approachable, accommodating - showed true concern for the enjoyment of the clients. Trip was exactly as advertised. Will definitely travel with OARS again and highly recommend it to others."
Christine Lyons ~ Hanover, MA
- Weather
- Packing List
- Trip Planner
- Recommended Reads
| Average Temperatures | ||
| Month | High | Low |
| June | 55°- 80° | 40°- 60° |
| July | 60°- 90° | 55°- 70° |
| Water Temperatures | ||
| Seasonal Average: 55° - 70° | ||
Current Conditions
What to bring on the Ultimate Salmon River Experience trip
This is a sample list. Please refer to your trip planner for a detailed list for your particular trip. If you do not already own any of the items on the suggested packing list feel free to call our office for suggestions. However, many of the items listed are available for purchase online in the OARStore. Please be mindful of the natural environment when purchasing items for your trip. Whenever possible, consider recyclable containers, rechargeable batteries, natural (non-toxic) sunscreens, lotions, biodegradable soaps, and so on.
Equipment:
- Water bottles: 2 each with a minimum 1-liter capacity plus 2 locking carabiners to attach them to the support boat
- Headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries and bulb
- Plastic bags: large trash bags and zip-lock bags to separate clean and dry clothes from wet and dirty
- Camera and accessories
Personal Items:
- Sunglasses with securing strap and a spare
- Towel: small, quick drying, and washcloth
- Toiletries including biodegradable soap and shampoo with moisturizer (Nature's Gate is recommended by our guides)
- Sunscreen: waterproof and SPF 30 or higher
- Lip protection: SPF 30 or higher
- Moisturizing lotion or cream: 1 bottle (Skin tends to get REALLY DRY – this is a VERY important item!)
- Insect repellent (with DEET)
- Personal first aid kit (Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, moleskin, eye drops, etc.)
- Spare pair of glasses and/or contacts (Blowing sand can cause problems for contact wearers)
- Cash for gratuities and goodies
Clothing:
- Long-sleeved shirt: 2-3 lightweight and light colored for sun protection; ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rated shirts are great
- Long pants: lightweight and light colored for sun protection (no jeans while on the river)
- Shade hat or visor with securing strap and a spare
- Bandanas
- Rain jacket & pants: waterproof (not water resistant) to protect you from the wind and splash from rapids, as well as rain. A hooded jacket is recommended as well as good secure closures around your head, neck, wrists, and ankles to prevent water from seeping in.
- Swimsuits: 2 (two-piece suits are recommended for women). Tankinis are a great option.
- Underwear: quick-drying
- Shorts: 2 pair lightweight and quick-drying
- Hiking shorts: 2 pair (some people prefer different shorts for the river and hiking)
- T-shirts or lightweight quick-drying tops: 3-4
- River sandals (such as Teva): 1 pair to wear in the boat and for short wet hikes
- Athletic shoes or lightweight hiking boots: 1 pair, comfortable and with good tread
- Hiking socks: 3-4 pair mid-weight
- Synthetic long underwear top and bottom: 1 set light- to mid-weight
- Fleece top and bottom: 1 set light- to mid-weight
Additional Essentials for Fall:
- Extra pair of dry shoes for camp
- Wetsuit booties and/or neoprene socks
- Additional fleece top and bottom
- Warm hat and gloves: synthetic or wool
- Fleece vest
Optional Items:
- Sarong: also useful as a cover-up from the sun, when bathing or to discreetly change clothes
- Solar shower: small “solo” showers heat up faster and are easier to use
- Bathing towels/wipes: pre-moistened disposable wipes such as Coleman Swash Cloths
- Binoculars: small
- Whiskbroom: small (no long handle) to sweep wet sand off tent and ground cloth
- Splash jacket and pants
- Paddling gloves
- Lightweight cord and clothespins for drying clothes in camp
- Notebook and pen
- FUD, Feminine urinary device
- Fanny pack/day pack for people who enjoy hiking. It should be large enough to carry water, lunch and camera, as well as a warm layer of clothing for spring and falls trips.
- Fishing gear
Download our travel planner here:
Ultimate_Salmon_River_Experience_Trip_Planner.pdf
Trip planner is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader.
