Home / River Trips / Middle Fork/Main Salmon River Combination Wild and Scenic Middle Fork/Main Salmon River Combination Idaho Length 12 days Meeting Point Stanley, ID (May-July) Salmon, ID (Aug-Sept) Difficulty Class IV Minimum Age 8+ years Starting at $5,798 per person. Book Now Middle Fork/Main Salmon River Combination Idaho Trip Details Packing Guide Schedule & Pricing Starting at $5,798 per person. Book Now Overview Middle Fork Salmon & Main Salmon Combination: Idaho's Grand Canyon Experience the ultimate combination of two of the west’s premier rivers: the Middle of the Salmon and the River of No Return section of the Main Salmon River. This truly is an adventure of a lifetime, as we combine two of the most legendary rafting trips available. Over the course of 12 days, you’ll travel nearly 200 miles through breathtaking mountain canyons, natural hot springs, and pristine wilderness that few people ever experience. The Middle Fork offers clear, free-flowing waters, exciting Class III–IV rapids, phenomenal cutthroat trout fishing, and stunning alpine scenery. As the canyon deepens, the trip transitions seamlessly onto the Main Salmon, where the warm water, sandy beaches, and big rolling rapids make for the perfect finale. Known For 12 days on the best of Idaho's Rivers Group Size 23 In a Word One-of-a-kind Included Transportation from the meeting point to the river and return to McCall, ID (including flight into the canyon if necessary), camping gear including 3" thick comfortable sleeping pads, and tents; all taxes and hidden fees What to Bring See packing guide Scroll to View Map Download Map "Most amazing family trip ever! From my 12 year old cousin to 80 year old grandma this trip was customizable for everyone to have an absolute blast! 10/10 experience that completely exceeded expectations. Thank you ARTA!" Sabrina Remley Middle Fork/Main Salmon River Combination "This was the most amazing trip! ARTA was a great company to work with, all of the guides were fantastic, the food was delicious and both the rafting and the camping experiences were superb. I cannot recommend ARTA and specifically the Middle Fork of the Salmon trip highly enough!" Johanna Wilde Middle Fork/Main Salmon River Combination "I have been on many commercial rafting trips, and ARTA is by far the best company I have experienced. My daughter, brother, and I have been on four ARTA trips, and the guides were uniformly outstanding. Exciting trips, with safety of the guests paramount. In short, I highly recommend ARTA" Michael Lindsay Middle Fork/Main Salmon River Combination 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! Getting There Itinerary What's Provided On The River Getting There May-July Aug-Sept This Trip Will Begin at: River 1 Store in Stanley, ID Meeting Time: 8:00 pm the evening before your trip begins for a pre-trip orientation meeting. Return: We will shuttle the group to McCall, ID on the final day. Anticipated arrival time is 4:00 pm. Get Directions Where to Stay: Mountain Village Resort (Stanley Idaho) Before Your Arrival Gem Air provides round trip flights between Boise, Stanley and McCall, advanced reservations are required. Salmon River Transportation provides vehicle shuttle service for those wishing to shuttle their vehicle. This Trip Will Begin at: Stagecoach Inn in Salmon, ID Meeting Time: 8:00 pm the evening before your trip begins for a pre-trip orientation meeting. Return: We will shuttle the group to McCall, ID on the final day. Anticipated arrival time is 4:00 pm. Get Directions Where to Stay: Stagecoach Inn (Salmon Idaho) Before Your Arrival Gem Air provides round trip flights between Boise, Salmon, and McCall, advanced reservations are required. Salmon River Transportation provides vehicle shuttle service for those wishing to shuttle their vehicle. Itinerary Subject to change due to flows May-July Aug-Sept Day Before Your Trip (May-July trips) We’ll meet you at 8:00 pm the evening before the trip begins at the River 1 store in Stanley, Idaho (208/774-2270). Stanley is a small town and River 1 is 100 yards north of the Mountain Village Lodge and the junction of Highways 21 and 75. At the pre-trip meeting we will give you your waterproof bags, arrange shuttles, go over equipment and packing procedures and answer any last minute questions. Day 1 We will meet at the Mountain Village Lodge in Stanley, ID in the morning and be transported either to the launch site at Boundary Creek, (1½ – 2 hours, May and July trips), or to the airport in Stanley for the 30 minute flight to Indian Creek, dependent on water levels. After a short safety and orientation briefing, we will launch around noon. Day 2-5 We will float an average of 15 – 18 miles, (5 – 6 hours), each day, stopping for a picnic lunch and perhaps to take a short hike or explore an historical site. Camp will be made in the late afternoon with early evening available for hiking, fishing, or relaxing. Dinner is usually served late in the day. Day 6 An early morning prepares us for some of the Middle Fork’s biggest rapids as we finish the Impassible Canyon and float on to the Main Salmon. After getting envious hugs from the departing Middle Fork guests, we will transfer you to the Rivers Fork Lodge along the Main Salmon River for the night. River’s Fork has comfortable lodging right along the Main Salmon River with a general store and cafe nearby. Lodging is included in the trip price, dinner and breakfast can be found at the nearby cafe. Day 7 The newly arriving Main Salmon guests will meet us across the river from the Lodge at the Corn Creek launch site and we’ll head downriver. Day 8 - 11 More time on the river at a slightly slower pace, (10 – 12 miles per day), with ample time to explore the many interesting historical sites of the Main Salmon canyon. Day 12 Our re-entry into civilization includes a half day of rafting to our take-out point at Carey Creek, lunch and de-rigging, and a 2 hour drive to the airport in McCall. Day Before Your Trip (Aug-Sept trips) 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 meet the first morning at the Stagecoach Inn in Salmon. You will be transported to the airport and then hop on a quick flight into the Middle Fork Salmon River canyon. After a short safety and orientation briefing, we will launch around noon. Day 2-5 We will float an average of 15 – 18 miles, (5 – 6 hours), each day, stopping for a picnic lunch and perhaps to take a short hike or explore an historical site. Camp will be made in the late afternoon with early evening available for hiking, fishing, or relaxing. Dinner is usually served late in the day. Day 6 An early morning prepares us for some of the Middle Fork’s biggest rapids as we finish the Impassible Canyon and float on to the Main Salmon. After getting envious hugs from the departing Middle Fork guests, we will transfer you to the Rivers Fork Lodge along the Main Salmon River for the night. River’s Fork has comfortable lodging right along the Main Salmon River with a general store and cafe nearby. Lodging is included in the trip price, dinner and breakfast can be found at the nearby cafe. Day 7 The newly arriving Main Salmon guests will meet us across the river from the Lodge at the Corn Creek launch site and we’ll head downriver. Day 8-11 More time on the river at a slightly slower pace, (10 – 12 miles per day), with ample time to explore the many interesting historical sites of the Main Salmon canyon. Day 12 Our re-entry into civilization includes a half day of rafting to our take-out point at Carey Creek, lunch and de-rigging, and a 2 hour drive to the airport in McCall. What's Provided We Will Provide Transportation from Stanley, ID (May-July Trips); or Salmon, ID (Aug-Sept Trips) to the river and return to McCall, ID All meals from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last day. A night of lodging at the River's Fork Lodge between the Middle Fork of the Salmon section and Main Salmon section 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 Arranging your own transportation to Stanley ID or Salmon ID (depending on your departure date) and from McCall, ID 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 Weather Wildlife Fishing Meals and Drinks Local Attractions Suggested Reading Travel Insurance Gratuities More information Types of Boats On the Middle Fork of the Salmon/Main Salmon combo trips we have five different types of boats: Oar rafts Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry some of the overnight gear and up to 4 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. Custom Fishing Rafts Custom designed to fish your hearts out, fishing rafts are 14′ long, light and nimble with two anglers in the boat and travel at a slower pace, often behind the rest of the group. For those wanting to maximize their fishing experience please inquire about adding fishing rafts to your trip. Sweep Boat Our custom designed Sweep Boat is over 20′ long, captained by one to two guides, with no passengers. These amazing crafts are specific to the Middle Fork, they carry the lions share of the overnight gear and travel with the river, ahead of the group each day to set up camp before everyone arrives. The Sweep helps our passenger rafts stay light and nimble, and allows us to make the most out of each day knowing when the group arrives to camp each day the bulk of the heavy lifting has been taken care of and folks can relax and further enjoy what camp life has to offer. 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. 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 Middle Fork of the 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 Middle Fork Salmon it is common to see otters, deer, and bighorn sheep as well as osprey, eagles, and other birds of prey. Fishing The fishing along the Middle Fork is excellent, with an abundance of 12 – 16 inch cutthroat trout. This is a “catch and release” river, so only single, barbless hooks are allowed, and all fish must be released alive. Fishing is better after the water level drops in mid-July. Poles should be protected in sturdy cases and only a small amount of tackle is needed. Dry flies, (Caddis, Grasshoppers and Irresistibles), and small spinners, (Mepps, Panther Martins) work well. You do not need waders or nets. If you want to fish you must have a valid Idaho State Fishing License. Fishing gear, licenses, and good advice are available from the Stanley Fly Shop in Stanley, 208-721-7151, which is open 7 days a week. 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. Local Attractions Within a day’s drive of Stanley are Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks as well as Sun Valley resort and numerous western guest ranches. 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). Gratuities If you truly enjoy your trip, tipping is a great way to show your appreciation. Tipping is optional and personal, but since a lot of people ask, a customary amount is between 15 and 20 percent of the trip cost. Tips can be given to the Lead Guide who will share them with the entire crew. More information A pdf of these trip details (along with more information about what to expect on your trip) can be found and downloaded here. If you still have questions, please feel free to call us (209-962-7873) or e-mail us (arta@arta.org). We love to talk about our trips! On The River Types of Boats Types of Boats On the Middle Fork of the Salmon/Main Salmon combo trips we have five different types of boats: Oar rafts Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry some of the overnight gear and up to 4 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. Custom Fishing Rafts Custom designed to fish your hearts out, fishing rafts are 14′ long, light and nimble with two anglers in the boat and travel at a slower pace, often behind the rest of the group. For those wanting to maximize their fishing experience please inquire about adding fishing rafts to your trip. Sweep Boat Our custom designed Sweep Boat is over 20′ long, captained by one to two guides, with no passengers. These amazing crafts are specific to the Middle Fork, they carry the lions share of the overnight gear and travel with the river, ahead of the group each day to set up camp before everyone arrives. The Sweep helps our passenger rafts stay light and nimble, and allows us to make the most out of each day knowing when the group arrives to camp each day the bulk of the heavy lifting has been taken care of and folks can relax and further enjoy what camp life has to offer. 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. 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 Middle Fork of the 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 Middle Fork 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 along the Middle Fork is excellent, with an abundance of 12 – 16 inch cutthroat trout. This is a “catch and release” river, so only single, barbless hooks are allowed, and all fish must be released alive. Fishing is better after the water level drops in mid-July. Poles should be protected in sturdy cases and only a small amount of tackle is needed. Dry flies, (Caddis, Grasshoppers and Irresistibles), and small spinners, (Mepps, Panther Martins) work well. You do not need waders or nets. If you want to fish you must have a valid Idaho State Fishing License. Fishing gear, licenses, and good advice are available from the Stanley Fly Shop in Stanley, 208-721-7151, which is open 7 days a week. 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. Local Attractions Local Attractions Within a day’s drive of Stanley are Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks as well as Sun Valley resort and numerous western guest ranches. 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). Gratuities Gratuities If you truly enjoy your trip, tipping is a great way to show your appreciation. Tipping is optional and personal, but since a lot of people ask, a customary amount is between 15 and 20 percent of the trip cost. Tips can be given to the Lead Guide who will share them with the entire crew. More information More information A pdf of these trip details (along with more information about what to expect on your trip) can be found and downloaded here. If you still have questions, please feel free to call us (209-962-7873) or e-mail us (arta@arta.org). We love to talk about our trips! Packing Guide Our trips are designed to be all-inclusive and comfortable. Upon your arrival we will provide you and your group members with your waterproof dry-bags and instruction on how to pack. You won't have to worry about traveling with big bulky items: high quality tents and big thick cozy sleeping pads are provided. There are, however, a handful of recommended personal items that will make your trip more enjoyable, the underlying list is our recommendations. Packing List How to Dress Where to buy Packing List This list has everything we can think of for trips from May through September; you can adjust it to fit your departure date (more cold weather clothing early in the season). Camp Items These will be packed in your camp dry bag and will be available at camp. Your favorite pillow Sleeping Bag (Freshly laundered sleeping bags can be rented from ARTA) Two changes of clothing (versatile pants and shirts, cotton is fine – something exciting for dinner is welcome!) Extra swimsuits, shorts and T-shirts for in camp Extra socks, (wool or fleece are best), and underwear Camp shoes. Something you can walk and hike in comfortably (ultra-lite boots or trail-running shoes; our guides wear flip-flops in camp) Sarong or small towel Personal hygiene items, including medicine, insect repellent, soap/shampoo, dry-skin lotion, etc. Please bring double the amount needed of any essential medicine. Warm jacket, (thick fleece is great – will work on-river as well – or compact/down coat). Rain gear, (can double as on-river gear); top is essential, bottoms are advised if you get cold easily. Small flashlight with extra batteries, (headlamps are great). Book, sketch pad, journal, etc. Equipment We Provide These items will be provided for you so you don’t have to travel with them. 3" thick "Paco Pad" style sleeping pad Two-person tent **Must be requested** Camp chair Plate and eating utensils Mug Waterproof splash jacket Neoprene wetsuit (if necessary) Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Drybags River Items These will be worn, or packed in your personal dry-bag and will be accessible during the day. Sandals with heel strap (Chaco, Teva, Astral, etc.) or old running shoes. Swimsuit or shorts. Nylon quick-drying shorts are best – women often prefer to wear shorts over their swimsuits. Lightweight cotton or dry-tech style synthetic shirt or T-shirt. Long-sleeved if you want extra sun protection, sun hoodies are great. If you get cold easily, a lightweight fleece top is handy. Brimmed hat (baseball style or visor work best under helmet for inflatable kayakers – and a spare is a good idea). Sunglasses with strap. Waterproof sunscreen/block (SPF 30), lip balm. Polypropylene or fleece top (essential). Waterproof rainshell (essential) and rain pants (optional). Rental Items Freshly laundered sleeping bags are available to rent from ARTA. Reserve and pay for it in advance using your pre-trip online registration. Pro Tip Fleece and Polypro are generic terms for a spun, polyester fabric developed for outdoor use. It comes in various weights and does not absorb water, making it ideal insulation on a river trip. Layering various weights of polypro is a great way to stay warm even when wet. It seems that children always get cold more easily, (and wet more often), than adults, so parents will want to make sure that their kids have at least two fleece tops and a waterproof rainshell. Fleece pants are also recommended. Drinks 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. How to Dress On hot days On hot days you will want clothing that dries quickly (nylon shorts and bathing suits) and something to shield you from the sun, (a high-tech SPF long-sleeved shirt or sun hoodie). Also, a brimmed hat and a bandana are helpful for staying cool. On cool days On cool days you will want a thick, synthetic fleece top, and a sturdy, fully waterproof rainshell. You may also want fleece pants or polypropylene long underwear bottoms and rainpants, particularly before mid-June. Don’t bring a cotton sweatshirt; cotton is worthless when wet and won’t work for on-river insulation. On your feet On your feet you will want shoes that stay on if you go for a swim and are comfortable for hiking. Sport sandals with heel straps (Tevas, Chacos etc.) work well. Running shoes are also fine, Astrals (athletic shoes with grippy rubber for walking on wet rocks) are a guide favorite. In camp In camp you will want comfortable walking/hiking shoes, (flip flops, lightweight tennis shoes), and versatile clothing, (T-shirts, warm shirts, cotton shorts, jeans or sweats, extra fleece, etc). Cotton is fine for camp when dry. Where to buy Astral Footwear Chaco Sandals Free Fly Apparel NRS Patagonia Schedule & Pricing Fourteen Rivers, Infinite Possibilities! Explore all of our destinations. Explore