Idahos Main Salmon
Ranked the #1 tour in Idaho by tripadvisor.com. Idaho river rafting through the Frank Church Wilderness offers an unmatched opportunity to disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with your family on Idaho's Salmon River of No Return. Experience the history, vast wilderness, natural hot springs & fun whitewater found within the mighty Salmon River Canyon.
The Ultimate Family Adventure
Trip Length- Spend 4 nights in the marvelous Frank Church Wilderness.
Meeting Location – Salmon City, Idaho
Activity Levels – Mild to Wild depending on the time of season. Medium activity level required, Great for all ages & abilities! Depending on your aptitude for adventure guests can choose between large stable gear boats, paddle boats, tandem inflatable kayaks, solo inflatable kayaks, and stand-up (SUP) paddle boards.
Class -Big, Fun and Family friendly Class III rapids throughout July, August & September
Age Requirements – 6 years and older. June trips 10+
Includes – This trip is all inclusive. We provide everything you need to have a safe, fun and comfortable trip. SAC will send you a SAC Gear Bag with your confirmation materials. This bag is the exact volume as the Dry bag you will be issued the morning of the trip. Guests will recieve Camp Equipment, River Gear, Food, Beverage, and Ground Transportation.
What to Bring – Seriously we provide everything. All you need is a toothbrush, clothes, headlamp, pillow & personal items. You will recieve a detailed clothing list in your confirmation materials.
What to expect – Guests will intimately experience the Frank Church Wilderness and Salmon River of No Return. You will become part of the SAC river family. Your days will be filled with laughter, rapids, wildlife, sun, sand and pure wilderness. Guests can expect to lose track of time, experience great food, comfortable camping and professional guides. On the last night it is more common than not that guests claim their Salmon River Adventure as their favorite all time vacation.
Wild & Scenic Main Salmon Itinerary
4 night/ 5 Day Adventure
Day before your trip
6:30 pm Pre-trip-talk at the Stagecoach Inn. Meet your lead guide and fellow guests as we play with gear and discuss itinerary and other trip details. Guests will participate in a packing demonstration and receive a large dry bag, small day bag, freshly laundered sleeping bags and additional essentials. Following the pre-trip-talk join the group for an optional, casual dinner at one of Salmon’s many quaint western restaurants.
Day 1: Put-in Day
Meet lead guide and fellow guests at the Stagecoach Inn at 7:00 AM ready for a 7:30 departure. Following a quick gear check we re-trace Lewis & Clark’s footsteps deep into Idaho wilderness. One last stop is available for fishing licenses and last minute essentials. Following a beautiful drive alongside the mighty Salmon we arrive at Corn Creek boat ramp, our jump-off point. Upon arriving at Corn Creek you will meet the remaining guide staff and participate in a river & camp safety presentation. We will wrap up with an early lunch and shove off into the largest wilderness in the US.
Days 2, 3, and 4: nothing but exploration, relaxation and adventure…
We keep our trips flexible and choose activities to suit each group. In order to accommodate varying comfort levels guests can choose to challenge the rapids in an inflatable kayak, paddle raft or ride on a gear boat, each offering a different river experience. Our days on the river will be filled with epic vistas, fun rapids, hot springs, great food and historic homesteads. Each evening your guides will prepare amazing riverside cuisine while you enjoy beach games, fish, explore and relax.
Take-Out Day
The last morning on the river is always bittersweet. The anxiety of leaving the river behind and entering the real world is on everyone’s minds as we enjoy a riverside breakfast and load the boats for the final time. It’s not long and that anxiety is washed away by excitement as we approach Vinegar Falls, the biggest rapid on the trip. Following a clean run thru Vinegar and a few smaller rapids we arrive at Carey Creek Boat Ramp, the end of our adventure. Guides and guests will re-live the adventure over lunch before parting ways. While guides clean and pack the gear guests will enjoy a scenic drive back to McCall, Idaho to their awaiting hotel, connecting flight or car.
All June, August, September Trips are reserved for private groups of 6+. Charter trips include custom itineraries to accommodate your group’s travel logistics. Give us a call for pricing and details!
Prices
4 Night/5 Day Trip: Adults $1345 Students (6-18) $895
Our Wild & Scenic Salmon River trips start in the classic western town of Salmon City, Idaho. Trip price includes ground transportation from Salmon City to the river put-in, and from the take-out to McCall Idaho. We recommend guests make a reservation the night before their trip at the Stagecoach Inn. We recommend the rooms that have walkout patios onto the riverside lawn.
Recommended Travel Logistics
Idaho travel hint: Due to the roadless Idaho wilderness, similar to Alaska regional air service is very common for business and recreation travel
Salmon City Option
Salmon City, the birth place of Sacajawea and cross roads of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This western, mountain town located in the Lehmi valley is full of western history. Salmon provides a variety of lodging options, restaurants, shopping and exploring . Guests will meet the guide crew and fellow guests at the Stagecoach Inn at 6:30PM the evening before their trip for the pre-trip-talk. We will depart the Stagecoach Inn at 7 AM the morning of your trip. Continental breakfast is included with room reservation. At the end of the trip you will be driven to the McCall, Idaho airport.
McCall Option
McCall, Idaho should not be missed. McCall is a quaint resort town situated on a large alpine lake in the Idaho mountains. McCall hosts a variety of lodging options, restaurants, shopping and exploring . Guests will depart the McCall airport no later than 4:30 PM. Guests will meet the guide crew and fellow guests at the Stagecoach Inn at 6:30 PM the evening before their trip for the pre-trip-talk. We will depart the Stagecoach Inn at 7 AM the morning of your trip. Continental breakfast and airport transfers are included with room reservation. At the end of the trip you will be driven to the McCall, Idaho airport.
Boise Option
Perfect for guests arriving/departing at (BOI) Boise International Airport. Give us a call for details.
Car Shuttle
This option is for groups who prefer to drive to Salmon, Idaho. This is the ideal option for groups touring the National Parks. We will shuttle your vehicle to Carey Creek, Idaho (480 miles)where your vehicle will be waiting and the end of the adventure.
Essential Trip Planning Resources
Sawtooth Flying Service
SP Aircraft LLC
Stagecoach Inn
River Shuttles
Frequently Asked Questions
Appropriate Ages
Sawtooth Adventure Company recommends a minimum age of 6 years old
Food
Trips include healthy and delicious riverside meals such as pork tenderloin, baked Salmon, enchiladas, grilled veggies, Dutch Oven entrees, appetizers, fresh salads, made-to-order omelet bar, fresh fruit, yogurts, granola and amazing desserts. We can accommodate all dietary requests with advanced notice.
Beverages
A healthy variety of beverages including coffee, juices, water, sodas, beer, wine and mixers are included on every trip.
Comfortable Camping
Does 4 nights camping scare you? After you experience the SAC level of comfy-camping we guarantee you will be a fan. You can’t have fun if your’e not comfortable, that’s why we call it Glam-ping. We bring along tons comfy camping extras including comfy hammocks, huge shade/rain canopy, beach chairs, river mattresses, laundered sleeping bags & 4 man spacious tents for every 2 people.
River Equipment & Camp Gear
We are serious when we claim to provide everything. Guest are only required to bring personal items, clothes, toothbrush and pillow. We will send you a recommended clothing list to make sure you are comfy.
Boat Options
Depending on the rapids, weather and your aptitude for adventure you choose between oar boats, paddle boats and 1 and 2 person inflatable kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and our new hyrdospeed.
Guides
Our multi-day guides are the best of the best. They are SAC’s veteran guides who have proven over the years and countless river miles that they know how to safely lead you through this adventure, introducing you to everything that makes the Salmon River so magical.. They are professional, kind, helpful, fun and most importantly great role models for your children.
Trip Dates
JUNE- electric green foliage and high water
June 27th – July 1st- Available, reserved for private parties 6+
JULY- Our most popular trips! Great rapids and amazing wildflowers.
July 5th – 9th: Experience a Western Style 4th of July!
July 13th- 17th
July 21th- 25th: 6th Annual Kids Trip. Summer’s most popular trip. Book now!
July 29th- Aug 2nd: Filling fast…call now!
AUGUST- great weather, less people, fun rapids & huge beaches
August 6th- 11th
August 14th- 19th: Available, reserved for private parties 6+
August 22st – 27th: Available, reserved for private parties 6+
August 30- September 3rd: Available, reserved for private parties 6+
SEPTEMBER- You will have the canyon to yourself. Our end of the summer trips are know for their relaxed and celebratory style
September 7th- 11th-Available, reserved for private parties 6+
Private Trips: We adjust travel logistics, menus and equipment to accommodate your needs. Give us a call for pricing
Salmon River Family Raft Trip Photos
Photos coming soon
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Sawtooth Adventure Company has specialized in family rafting trips since 2001. As parents we make safety and the overall family experience our top priority. SAC guides are professional, respectful and most important great role models. Our goal is to make your trip the highlight of your family vacation.
Give us a call to begin planning the ultimate family adventure.