Main Salmon River Rafting on the River of No Return
- World-class trout fishing
- Natural hot spring and sandy beaches
- Exciting Class III rapids and a wide selection of boat types
- Native American rock art
June 7, 14, 21, 29; July 7, 15, 31; August 8, 16, 24; September 1, 9
Designated Family Dates: June 21; July 7, 23; August 8
Specialty Departures
Main Salmon Epicurean Adventure with Whole Journeys $2795: 23*
*Includes 1 night lodging, pre-set tents, chef-prepared meals and flights to and from Boise to the river
Deposit: $250
Additional Costs:
Flight package from Boise or car shuttle; $4/day USFS Recreation demo fee
| River Rating | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Class III | 7 Yrs (12 during high water) |
Main Salmon River Rafting - Overview
Featuring miles upon miles of protected wilderness where little has changed since first appearing on the U.S. map, the Main Salmon River in Idaho offers a rich river experience including free-flowing Class III scenic Idaho whitewater that’s great for any age and experience level. This Idaho rafting adventure includes big sandy beaches perfect for camping and playing, beautiful mountain scenery, abundant wildlife and a natural hot spring. On the Main Salmon River, we run the full gamut of O.A.R.S.’ river vessels so you can experience them all! Riding in an oar boat one day and a wooden dory the next, then challenging the whitewater hands-on in a paddle raft or inflatable kayak, ensures a diverse and exciting Idaho river adventure for each member of your party. Dubbed the “River of No Return” by early prospectors, the Salmon River is a river you’ll want to return to raft, again and again.
Main Salmon River Rafting - Itinerary at a Glance
- Scenic flight from McCall to Salmon, Idaho where we transfer to our put-in at Corn Creek
- After a thorough safety talk and paddle raft/inflatable kayak lesson we’re off on our adventure
- Run exciting Class III Salmon River rapids like Killum and Gunbarrel
- Soak in the mesmerizing Salmon River canyon – the second deepest gorge in North America
- Experience the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church “River of No Return” Wilderness
- Challenge splashy, exhilarating rapids like Salmon Falls, Big Mallard and Growler
- Explore Buckskin Bill’s homestead and search for lost treasure at Jim Moore’s place
- Soak in Barth Hot Springs, hike to Rabbit Point, fish for trout, swim in the warm waters or bask in the sun on a sandy beach
- Meet a family of otters, big horn sheep, moose or a black bear standing sentinel on shore
- Scenic shuttle to McCall where a lovely resort town awaits us
Recent Articles on OARS.com
- Beer West Magazine - Summer 2012
- Outside Magazine - November 2004
- Condé Nast Traveler - December 2002
More Articles
From our Blog...
- Legend
- Directions
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- Write a Review
“I loved riding in the dories. I have been on a couple of rafting trips in the past but your tour leader was the most outstanding. Also, the opportunity to row some of the trip on the inflatable kayaks was great.”
Brigid M. Wiking ~McCall, ID
“The guides were the best part of the trip. They are knowledgeable in all areas: environmental, political, psychology, children, music, cooking. I enjoyed sitting in each boat learning something new and their take on the river. I loved that all these guides truly loved who they worked for and what they did for a living. It was inspirational!”
Karen Mayeda - Vranek ~ Studio City, CA
“The trip was very well organized. Our trip leader was a true leader...he clearly loves the Salmon River and its natural beauty and history. We felt that he managed our large group very, very well and that everyone had fun. We loved the food. The meals were nutritious and tasted great and being in such a beautiful natural setting made it taste even better. All of the guides were competent and kind--especially to our children--who are young and had alot of energy. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Best trip our family takes together every year.”
Leanne Hansen ~ Mill Valley, CA
“My entire family (wife and kids ages 8 and 10) felt the trip was a wonderful experience and probably our best family vacation ever. We are looking forward to doing more trips with O.A.R.S. in the coming years. The TL and guides were professional, personable, ethusiastic, knowledgable, patient, helpful and a pleasure to spend 6 days with.”
Robert Newbury ~ Larkspur, CA
“I most enjoyed seeing Mother Nature at her finest. It renewed my spirit and filled me up.....I'm still smiling! I didn't want the trip to be over...I could have kept on going down the river. It was such a wonderful experience that I'm already staring to plan my next trip. This time I want to take my 2 sons who are 20 and 22. The guides MADE the trip. Each and everyone of them was wonderful, very knowledgeable and hard working.....loved & trusted them all.”
Molly Ballantine ~ New York, NY
“The guides were wonderful and the trip itself was fantastic. It was great that they brought the duckies for our group as we were an active group. There is absolutely nothing that could have made the trip itself more enjoyable -- it was absolutely wonderful . They were the best. Wonderful with our children as well. We are hopeful that we will be able to take another trip with these guides at some point. The meals were great and plenty of it. I had no idea it would be that nice.”
Mariam Azin ~ Jackson, WY
“As always, I love being on the water, letting the quiet and beauty of the place simply roll past and the evenings, after we get to camp, watching the light turn to gold and pink, all of the beauty surrounding me, the joy of getting to know the other travelers better, the billions of stars stretching across the sky as I lay in my bed under them. The simplicity of life in that mode, and the awareness of my insignificance in the world, bring me a sense of awareness I rarely experience in other places.”
Bob Micsak ~ Littleton, CO
Main 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 | 55-90 | 45-65 |
| July | 60-100 | 60-75 |
| August | 70-100 | 55-70 |
| September | 55-95 | 40-60 |
| Water Temperatures °F | ||
| June | 45-58 | |
| July | 55-65 | |
| August | 65-68 | |
| September | 50-60 | |




































