Rafting the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

The Middle Fork of the Salmon is considered by many as the best rafting spot in North America. It has everything you want in a river trip: fantastic scenery, history, hot springs, great whitewater, interesting side hikes, world-class fly fishing, and crystal clear water.

Multi-Day River Trips

There are multiple outfitters that run multi-day trips down the Middle Fork May through September. Most trips are 6 days and cover 75-100 miles. Guided trips meet in Stanley, ID. Put-in is at Boundary Creek. In the event of low-water flow in late July or August put-in is at Indian Creek, which requires a flight into a nearby airstrip. Most of the rapids on the Middle Fork are class III, with a few easy class IV. High water trips in late May and June offer more exciting challenges for experienced rafters.

The last twenty miles of the Middle Fork journey through Impassable Canyon. This amazing canyon boasts almost vertical rock walls and is inaccessible to drivers and hikers, leaving rafting or kayaking as the only way to take in this incredible sight. Take-out is at Cache Bar, which is 4 miles down the Main Salmon. Most outfitters then shuttle guests to Salmon, ID.

Rentals

Sawtooth Adventure Company (866) 774-4644 in Stanley offers rafts, inflatable kayaks, wetsuits, firepans or all-inclusive rental packages priced per day. Another choice is Blackadar Boating (208) 756-3958 in Salmon. Blackadar has raft, kayak and equipment rental that they will deliver to put-in and pick up after your trip. They also have kitchen packages and will even do your food shopping and packing.

Permits

Private (non-commercial) permits are required and available through the 4 Rivers Lottery, which include the Main Salmon, Middle Fork, Selway, and Snake-Hells Canyon Rivers. Permits are allocated through a computerized lottery system. Private boaters can apply for one or all four rivers on one forest service application and specify their desired launch date.