1-800-346-6277Main Salmon River Rafting on the River of No Return
6 Day: June 21 (Family Trip), 29 (Two launches: One regular and one Lodge-based); July 7 -Two Trips- (Family Trip) and (Wine Trip), 15, 23 (Dory Trip), 31; August 8 (Two launches: One regular and one Lodge-based); August 16 (Dory Trip), 24; September 1, 9
5 Day:
$1488 adult / $1388 youth
6 Day:
$1588 adult / $1435 youth
Photography Trip: $1688 (see below for details)
Wine Trip: $1888 (see below for details)
Lodge Trip: $2360 adult / $2190 youth
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) |
Photography Trips
Join photographer John Blaustein for a photography exploration of the Main Salmon River.
- 5-Day Photography Trip: June 14
View more information on Photography trips >>
Lodge Trip
For those who prefer not to camp, the Main Salmon’s lodges provide a comfy bed and hot shower each evening.
- 6-Day Lodge Trips: June 29 & August 8
View more information on the Lodge trip >>
Wine on the River Trips
Combine river running with gourmet meals and premium wines presented by some of the West's finest vintners.
- 6-Day Wine Trip: July 7
View more information on Wine on the River trips >>
- Legend
- Directions
Enter your starting city
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Main Salmon River Rafting - Overview
This year, we went back to the drawing board to save you more than $300 per person on our most popular Idaho rafting trip.
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
- Testimonials
- Reviews
- 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
- Weather
- Packing List
- Trip Planner
- Recommended Reads
| Average Temperatures | ||
| 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 | ||
| June | 45° - 58° | |
| July | 55° - 65° | |
| August | 65° - 68 ° | |
| September | 50° - 60 ° | |
Current Conditions
What to bring on the Main Salmon River Rafting on the River of No Return 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 lightweight and light color for sun protection (UPF rated shirts are great)
- Long pants: lightweight and light color 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 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
- 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 & bottom: 1 set light to mid-weight
- Fleece top & 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:
Main_Salmon_River_Trip_Planner.pdf
Trip planner is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader.
