Middle Fork of the Salmon River: Idaho White Water Rafting
- Pristine alpine scenery, dramatic gorges, rolling hills and waterfalls
- Natural hot springs
- Exciting Class III-IV rapids
- World-class trout fishing
May 28; June 15; August 19; September 21 (5-day trip)
Peak Season:
June 24; July 2, 10, 18, 26; August 3, 11
Specialty Departures
Wine on the River: August 27 $2482
Hiking $1982: June 6
6-Day Fishing $2297: September 17
Value Season:
$1982
Peak Season:
$2297
Deposit: $500
Additional Costs:
Flight package from Boise or car shuttle; $4 per day USFS recreation demo fee
| River Rating | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Class III - IV | 9 Yrs (15 during high water) |
Middle Fork of the Salmon River Rafting - Overview
It’s true — it doesn’t get any better than this. With over 100 winding miles of river — and more than 100 sets of rapids — there’s no wondering why the journey along the Middle Fork Salmon is considered unparalleled. One of the continent’s premium rafting destinations, the Middle Fork’s legendary waters churn through high country forest, granite canyons, swirling seas of grassland and some of Idaho’s most storied spaces. The river’s banks speak of the state’s proud heritage, its Native American history, pioneer sites and natural habitat for a wondrous world of wildlife.
Middle Fork Salmon River Rafting - Itinerary at a Glance
- Scenic flight from Stanley, Idaho to our put-in at Indian Creek (Boundary Creek if water levels allow)
- Fantastic alpine scenery, deep green forests, dramatic mountains and crystal clear creeks
- Soak in a steaming natural hot spring after braving Velvet Falls and Ramshorn rapids
- Feast on a picnic lunch, take a swim and a short hike
- Try your hand at a paddleboat or inflatable kayak
- Music, stories and jokes, the popping of the fire
- Watch the scenery change from high mountains to rolling hills
- Forests give way to miles of open grassland dotted with cool glades of pine
- Run huge rapids like Powerhouse and Pistol Creek
- Another soak in a hot spring, caves decorated with Sheepeater Indian pictographs
- Hike to the magnificent Veil Falls plummeting into a natural amphitheatre
- Impassable Canyon, Redside, Rubber and Hancock rapids
- Reach the confluence of the Main Salmon and head back to civilization
Recent Articles on OARS.com
- Mercury News - July 2011
- Men's Journal - May 2007
- Virtuoso Life - March / April 2007
- National Geographic Adventure - November 2005
- National Geographic Adventure – April 2005
- New York Times Sophisticated Traveler - June 2003
- Money Magazine - April 2003
- National Geographic Adventure - February 2003
More Articles
From our Blog...
- Legend
- Directions
| Destination River | Meeting Parking | Rapid | Point of Interest | Camp | Put-in | Take-out | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Content | |||||||
| Enhanced Content |
- Trip Reviews
- |
- Testimonials
- |
- Write a Review
“We enjoyed all of our Middle Fork Salmon trip. The guides, the scenery, the folks in the trip with us, the water fights, the hikes, the water falls, the food, but most of all...the river. You can't improve anything. My trip, on a scale of 1 to 10, was 500. It was perfect... Our guides were so perfect. Loved the kids, the adults, they were perfect for all of us. The food they prepared was awesome. I have been home a week and a half and I have not stopped talking about this trip. I never would have imagined how much my 12 year old son and I would have loved a trip. Will we be back?? No doubt about it, many times. I hope that he will take his kids on the river some day.”
Rob Burns ~ Brecksville, OH
“If I took the best experiences I have had on all my trips from over 50 years combined they couldn't hold a candle to the fun I had with O.A.R.S.”
Bill Balcom ~ Silver City, NM
“Our family is just back from your Middle Fork of the Salmon trip which was over the top in every way. It had been 30 years since my father and I had last run the Middle Fork together, so the trip was a sentimental one-- and it was our boys' first multi-day raft trip, so that made for quite a week. Anyway, I just wanted to say that our guides...made a huge impression on us. The boys especially. They went above and beyond in every sense and made our trip truly one of the most memorable we've EVER taken as a family. I can't say enough about their professionalism, spirit, and sense of fun. They were absolutely remarkable. ”
Kim Brown Seely ~ Bellevue, WA
“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
“While we were on the river, we had a chance to observe several other groups traveling at the same time. I'm glad we traveled with OARS. The trip is well-organized without being overly scheduled. The guides know the area well and keep things moving so that we get the most out of each day, but still have plenty of down time. And the guides themselves were great! They were very knowledgeable and skilled, but also very personable. It was a great pleasure to travel with them.”
Sue Freimuth ~ Andover, CT
Middle Fork Salmon River Rafting - 6 Days Trip Planner
Required Forms
Please print, sign and return the required forms (for each person in your party) to our office by email, fax or mail at least 60 days prior to your trip.
Trip Documents
Itineraries
Trip Planners (includes packing list)
Packing List
Travel Insurance
Relevant Links
Local Weather & Current Conditions
| Average Temperatures °F | ||
| Month | High | Low |
| May | 50-70 | 35-55 |
| June | 55-80 | 40-60 |
| July | 60-90 | 55-70 |
| August | 70-90 | 55-70 |
| September | 65-80 | 45-65 |
| Water Temperatures °F | ||
| June | 45-55 | |
| July | 55-65 | |
| August | 65-68 | |
| September | 55-65 | |





























