Home / River Trips / Main Salmon River Rafting Wild and Scenic Main Salmon River Rafting Idaho Length 6 days Meeting Point Salmon, ID Difficulty Class III (IV-) Minimum Age 6+ years Starting at $2,099 per person. Book Now Main Salmon River Rafting Idaho Trip Details Packing Guide Schedule & Pricing Starting at $2,099 per person. Book Now Overview Experience the Adventure of a Lifetime on Idaho's Main Salmon River Embark on an unforgettable journey down the Main Salmon River, offering world-class whitewater rafting through the heart of Idaho’s pristine wilderness. Known as the “River of No Return,” the Main Salmon River delivers exhilarating rapids, stunning canyon scenery, abundant wildlife, and rich natural history. Our trips begin where the road ends at Corn Creek, a two hour drive outside of Salmon, ID. The river alternates between stretches of lively whitewater and sections of peaceful current, providing a balance of excitement and relaxation. Each day is filled with fascinating things to see and interesting places to explore. Clear, cascading side-streams, natural hot-springs, Native American artwork, abandoned mines, decaying homesteads, and plenty of wildlife are just a few of the attractions. Perfect for families, first-time rafters, and seasoned adventurers alike, our guided river trips are six days long and include incredible meals, riverside camping, and experienced guides. Paddle through Class III–IV rapids, soak in natural hot springs, and unplug from the modern world in one of the most scenic and remote regions in the U.S. Known For Roller Coaster Waves Group Size 10-24 In a Word Fun! Included Transportation from Salmon, ID to the launch site and return to McCall, ID; camping gear including thick comfortable sleeping pads, and tents; all taxes and hidden fees What to Bring See our Packing Guide Scroll to View Map Download Map "Previously I have enjoyed two other guided raft trips. This was my first with ARTA. I accompanied my adult sons and their families to include three granddaughters: 9, 11, & 14. The trip exceeded expectations. While all the rivers I have rafted were spectacular, the guides (3 male/3 female) made this float the best. Their friendliness, skills, and accommodating demeanor molded five families and three singles into a tribe. It was the premier family experience. In the future, I will always look to ARTA first for guided rafting experiences." Cliff Edwards Main Salmon River Rafting "24 strangers and 6 guides turned into a family of 30 by the end of our trip. Our guides, Lilly, Seth, Woody, Izzy, Carson and Trip Leader, Casey, were the best rafting guides, entertainers, historians, chefs and hosts!!! Thank you, and Arta for a memorable trip!!! I wish I was still on the river with you all." Trevor Edwards Main Salmon River Rafting "Just got home and already back in touch with ARTA to see when we can get back onto the river! Our family of 4 joined a group of friends for 6 days on the Main Salmon, and we had an amazing experience. Our guides (Cate, Heather, Lily, Carson, Hank, and Aaron) were OUTSTANDING: highly competent guides with humor and heart. Our daughters were dazzled and inspired... I could see their minds blown and hearts opened to the beauty of nature. Could not ask for a better family vacation." Susie K Main Salmon River Rafting "If you want an adventure with belly laughs, morning coffee-doodle-doo wake up calls, three fresh meals prepared each day by the guides, appetizers, and a snack bag in each boat, then book with ARTA immediately! They taught us how to “paddle harder” even managed to spot a bald eagle or a herd of sheep while yelling “FORWARD!” As a senior female traveling solo, I was never really alone and always felt safe. I knew immediately, I was a part of the river family for the entire six days." Felecia Bronson Main Salmon River Rafting "Great trip on the Main Salmon River. Why? Incredible guides. Super river skills of course, but beyond that they are friendly, super organized, knowledgeable, and all round great people. Guides make the trip and ARTA has the best. We reserve an entire trip for family and friends. It’s a super way for us all to enjoy each other and reconnect without the hassles of everyday life. This was our 3rd ARTA trip and I’m sure there will be more." Patricia Dunn Main Salmon River Rafting "Absolutely incredible experience! Arta guides are top-notch, they treated us with absolute care, love safety, incredible food, and a fantastic experience!!!" Sage Lavine Main Salmon River Rafting "All the guides were amazing! The dynamics between them all made for a very well rounded group. We could not have been happier with each and every guide! Friends for life!" Thomas D Main Salmon River Rafting Trip Details A downloadable pdf of these trip details (along with more information about what to expect on your trip) can be found below. If you still have questions, please feel free to call us (209-962-7873) or email us (arta@arta.org). We love to talk about our trips! Download PDF Getting There Itinerary What's Provided On The River Getting There This Trip Will Meet At: Stagecoach Inn in Salmon, Idaho 201 River Front Drive, Salmon, ID, 83467 Meeting Time: 8:00pm the evening before your trip. We’ll give you your waterproof bags, go over final trip logistics, and answer any last minute questions. Return: 4:00pm (at the McCall, ID Airport) Get Directions Where to Stay: Stagecoach Inn, Salmon ID Sacajawea Inn, Salmon ID Before Your Arrival Your trip will begin in Salmon, ID and end in McCall, ID. You will need to make arrangements in advance to either have your vehicle shuttled from Salmon to McCall or schedule a flight between Salmon, McCall and/or Boise. For vehicle shuttles: Salmon River Transportation Co For flights between Salmon, McCall and Boise: GEM AIR Itinerary Subject to change due to flows Day Before Your Trip We’ll meet you at 8:00 pm the evening before the trip begins at the Stagecoach Inn in Salmon, Idaho. The Stagecoach is located at 201 Riverfront Drive (Highway 93), just across the bridge over the Salmon River. At the pre-trip meeting we will give you your waterproof dunnage bags, go over trip and shuttle information and answer any last-minute questions. Day 1 We will reconvene at the Stagecoach Inn early in the morning to board a bus, and make way to the launch site at Corn Creek, (2 – 3 hours). After a short safety and orientation briefing, we will launch on the river around noon and float several miles and through a few rapids to our first night’s camp. Day 2-5 A typical day on the Main Salmon starts with fresh coffee and a hearty breakfast before we pack our bags and load into the rafts. Each day is different, but on average we will float 10 – 14 miles, (5 – 6 hours), and take numerous stops to scout rapids, explore abandoned homesteads, visit Native American pictograph sites, soak in a hotsprings, wander up a creek, as well as enjoy a riverside picnic lunch. We commonly rotate boats a few times each day, giving new people the opportunity to paddle or relax. We usually arrive at camp in the late afternoon and you are free to hike, relax, swim, or fish while the guides prepare dinner. Day 6 (Final Day) The last day on the river has some exciting rapids before we arrive at our take-out point at Carey Creek. We will de-rig the rafts, change clothes, and have our final lunch before being transported to the airport in McCall, (2 hours). Arrival time in McCall will be around 5:00 pm. What's Provided We Will Provide Transportation from Salmon, ID to the river (to start); and from the river to McCall, ID (to end). All meals from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last day. Waterproof bags, lifejackets, and other specialized equipment for the trip. 3" thick, comfortable "paco pad style" sleeping pads for each guest. 2 person tents. Camp chair, plate, eating utensils and mug. Friendly, entertaining and professional guide service. All taxes and government access fees. What you are responsible for Transportation to Salmon ID (before your trip), and from McCall, ID (after your trip). Meals and lodging before and after your trip Personal clothing and other miscellaneous items (see equipment list) Sleeping bag (can be rented from ARTA – see equipment list) Soda, wine, alcoholic beverages (see below) Guides gratuities (see below) On The River Types of Boats Camping Meals and Drinks Weather Wildlife Fishing Local Attractions Suggested Reading Travel Insurance Types of Boats On the Salmon River we offer three types of boats in which to ride: Oar rafts Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry all of the overnight gear and up to 5 guests. They are rowed by a guide using oars attached to a metal frame. Guests ride in the front, hang on through the rapids and relax in the calm stretches. Paddle rafts Paddle rafts are 14 feet long and carry 6 paddlers who actively paddle through the rapids and down the river. Everyone has a paddle, sits on the outer tube of the raft and follows the commands of the paddle guide who sits in the rear. Inflatable kayaks Inflatable kayaks are 10 – 12 feet long and are paddled by 1 or 2 people using double-bladed paddles. They are fairly stable, require no previous experience and allow you to feel the thrill of independently paddling the river. Camping Overnight camping will be done at riverside beaches with spectacular views of the river and canyon. Guides will set up a full kitchen, dining area, drink and appetizer zone, and our ‘living room’ with chairs set up for each guest, a library of books and camp games. Guests will have the freedom to explore and pick out their own unique spot to set up their tents away from the central area, and guides are available to help. Our toilet facilities, and a hand-wash station will be set up in an isolated (and usually beautiful) location; going to the bathroom in the wilderness is surprisingly pleasant, keep in mind we set up the toilet facilities away from camp, a short walk to the toilet, often on uneven ground is part of the deal. Meals and Drinks ARTA meals are AMAZING! Guests are often shocked at how wonderful our meals are in a back-country setting. We bring the highest quality ice chests to keep meats, fruits and veggies fresh for the duration of the trip. Meals are designed for foodies (adults) and the occasional picky eater (kids!) alike. Guests can expect to start each day with fresh coffee and well-balanced breakfast, snacks are available throughout the day in the rafts, lunch is prepared riverside with many options, and appetizers are served to kick off the dinner hour early-evening with our main courses and desert to wrap up each day. We are happy to accommodate special dietary request/requirements. Please let us know in your pre-trip registration. We provide water, sports drink powder during the day, and hot coffee, tea, and cocoa in the morning. If you would like soda, beer, wine, or liquor at camp, please bring your own and we will have coolers/ice for you! Please bring beer/soda in cans, we can accommodate wine and liquor in glass bottles. Please bring what you plan to consume. Weather The weather in the mountains of Idaho is difficult to predict; we have encountered hailstorms in August and heatwaves in June, so please read the equipment list and come well prepared for a variety of conditions. The weather in the Main Salmon canyon is usually mild and temperate, however rain, in the form of afternoon thunderstorms, can be encountered at any time during the season. We strongly recommend good rain protection for both day and night. Generally, summer temperatures range from the 70’s to the 90’s during the day and the 40’s to the 50’s at night, with early season trips being 10 degrees cooler and summertime extremes being 10 degrees warmer. The water temperature is a chilly 50 degrees in June, warming to a pleasant 70 degrees late in the summer. Wildlife We will be traveling through the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and visiting the home of a variety of wild animals. On the Main Salmon it is common to see otters, deer, and bighorn sheep as well as osprey, eagles, and other birds of prey. Fishing The fishing on the Main Salmon is fairly good and is usually better after the water levels drop in mid July. Poles should be protected in sturdy cases, and only a small amount of tackle is needed. Dry flies and small spinners with single barbless hooks work well; you do not need waders or nets. If you want to fish you must have a valid Idaho State Fishing License. Licenses and gear can be purchased on-line through Idaho Fish and Game or at Ninety-Three Mini Mart and Sports in Salmon. Local Attractions Within a day’s drive of Salmon are Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks. If you want to extend your vacation with a stay at a western guest ranch, consider Rocky Mountain Guest Ranch or Twin Peaks Ranch, both of which are near Salmon. At the end of the trip, McCall is a wonderful vacation resort town on a lake with lots of vacation rentals and things to do. Suggested Reading River of No Return by Cort Conley gives a detailed, mile-by-mile description of the history of the river and canyon. The Last of the Mountain Men by Harold Peterson, Thousand Pieces of Gold by Ruthanne McCunn and Merciless Eden by Doug Tims are stories of some of the Main’s more colorful characters and places. Idaho’s Salmon River is a great map and guide and is available through Black Canyon Guides. Travel Insurance Because life is full of surprises, we suggest you consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance for your trip. Trip cancellation, evacuation, baggage loss and other coverages are available for between 8% and 15% of your trip cost. You can get more information through ASI Travel Insurance Services (please select American River Touring Association from the drop down menu). On The River Types of Boats Types of Boats On the Salmon River we offer three types of boats in which to ride: Oar rafts Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry all of the overnight gear and up to 5 guests. They are rowed by a guide using oars attached to a metal frame. Guests ride in the front, hang on through the rapids and relax in the calm stretches. Paddle rafts Paddle rafts are 14 feet long and carry 6 paddlers who actively paddle through the rapids and down the river. Everyone has a paddle, sits on the outer tube of the raft and follows the commands of the paddle guide who sits in the rear. Inflatable kayaks Inflatable kayaks are 10 – 12 feet long and are paddled by 1 or 2 people using double-bladed paddles. They are fairly stable, require no previous experience and allow you to feel the thrill of independently paddling the river. Camping Camping Overnight camping will be done at riverside beaches with spectacular views of the river and canyon. Guides will set up a full kitchen, dining area, drink and appetizer zone, and our ‘living room’ with chairs set up for each guest, a library of books and camp games. Guests will have the freedom to explore and pick out their own unique spot to set up their tents away from the central area, and guides are available to help. Our toilet facilities, and a hand-wash station will be set up in an isolated (and usually beautiful) location; going to the bathroom in the wilderness is surprisingly pleasant, keep in mind we set up the toilet facilities away from camp, a short walk to the toilet, often on uneven ground is part of the deal. Meals and Drinks Meals and Drinks ARTA meals are AMAZING! Guests are often shocked at how wonderful our meals are in a back-country setting. We bring the highest quality ice chests to keep meats, fruits and veggies fresh for the duration of the trip. Meals are designed for foodies (adults) and the occasional picky eater (kids!) alike. Guests can expect to start each day with fresh coffee and well-balanced breakfast, snacks are available throughout the day in the rafts, lunch is prepared riverside with many options, and appetizers are served to kick off the dinner hour early-evening with our main courses and desert to wrap up each day. We are happy to accommodate special dietary request/requirements. Please let us know in your pre-trip registration. We provide water, sports drink powder during the day, and hot coffee, tea, and cocoa in the morning. If you would like soda, beer, wine, or liquor at camp, please bring your own and we will have coolers/ice for you! Please bring beer/soda in cans, we can accommodate wine and liquor in glass bottles. Please bring what you plan to consume. Weather Weather The weather in the mountains of Idaho is difficult to predict; we have encountered hailstorms in August and heatwaves in June, so please read the equipment list and come well prepared for a variety of conditions. The weather in the Main Salmon canyon is usually mild and temperate, however rain, in the form of afternoon thunderstorms, can be encountered at any time during the season. We strongly recommend good rain protection for both day and night. Generally, summer temperatures range from the 70’s to the 90’s during the day and the 40’s to the 50’s at night, with early season trips being 10 degrees cooler and summertime extremes being 10 degrees warmer. The water temperature is a chilly 50 degrees in June, warming to a pleasant 70 degrees late in the summer. Wildlife Wildlife We will be traveling through the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and visiting the home of a variety of wild animals. On the Main Salmon it is common to see otters, deer, and bighorn sheep as well as osprey, eagles, and other birds of prey. Fishing Fishing The fishing on the Main Salmon is fairly good and is usually better after the water levels drop in mid July. Poles should be protected in sturdy cases, and only a small amount of tackle is needed. Dry flies and small spinners with single barbless hooks work well; you do not need waders or nets. If you want to fish you must have a valid Idaho State Fishing License. Licenses and gear can be purchased on-line through Idaho Fish and Game or at Ninety-Three Mini Mart and Sports in Salmon. Local Attractions Local Attractions Within a day’s drive of Salmon are Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks. If you want to extend your vacation with a stay at a western guest ranch, consider Rocky Mountain Guest Ranch or Twin Peaks Ranch, both of which are near Salmon. At the end of the trip, McCall is a wonderful vacation resort town on a lake with lots of vacation rentals and things to do. Suggested Reading Suggested Reading River of No Return by Cort Conley gives a detailed, mile-by-mile description of the history of the river and canyon. The Last of the Mountain Men by Harold Peterson, Thousand Pieces of Gold by Ruthanne McCunn and Merciless Eden by Doug Tims are stories of some of the Main’s more colorful characters and places. Idaho’s Salmon River is a great map and guide and is available through Black Canyon Guides. Travel Insurance Travel Insurance Because life is full of surprises, we suggest you consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance for your trip. Trip cancellation, evacuation, baggage loss and other coverages are available for between 8% and 15% of your trip cost. You can get more information through ASI Travel Insurance Services (please select American River Touring Association from the drop down menu).