Posts Tagged Raft trips in Sun Valley

Whitewater Rafting in Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley is Idaho’s iconic mountain town.

In the early days it was known for its celebrity sprinkled ski hill, now considered one of the best summer vacation destinations in the West.  Think…..A smaller, less congested, less commercialized…a vintage Jackson Hole.   Sun Valley’s proximity to world-class whitewater is amazing.  Within a few hours you have access to more rivers than can be mentioned. Sun Valley’s closest whitewater is on the nation’s original  Wild & Scenic River, The Salmon River of No Return in Stanley Idaho.

Stanley, Idaho’s river capital, is located 1 mega-scenic hour north of Sun Valley in the Nations’s largest National Recreation Area, The SNRA.  Stanley is the perfect, small mountain town that bustles in the summer with visitors of all kinds including rafters, anglers, water skiers, ATV’rs, hikers, birders and bakery goers. 

Whitewater Rafting in Stanley, Idaho

Sawtooth Adventure Company offers a variety of rafting options for all ages and abilities.   We invite you to spend a day of your Sun Valley vacation on the famous Salmon River with our crew of educated, trained and SUPER fun guides!

Scenic Trips- No Whitewater 

SAC’s scenic trip occurs on the flat water section of the Salmon.  Trip includes magnificent Sawtooth Mountain views, hotsprings, Osprey and Bald Eagles .  Trips occur 7 days a week. 

Family Fun Whitewater

Stanley’s ‘Day Stretch’ is the perfect introduction to Idaho’s famous Whitewater.  Our Class III rafting trips are very popular with families.  In fact we host 2 kids for every 1 adult the month of July.  The level of FUN is off the charts. We run rapids, jump off ‘jump rock’, eat a yummy riverside lunch and ‘ride the bull’.    This trip is great for kids aged 4 and above

High Adventure Trips

Do you need more the ‘family fun whitewater’ to get your fix?  Check our our early season Class IV rafting trips and experience Shotgun rapid and ‘The Dam’ up-close and personal.  This trip is great for active, adventurous guests.  No prior experience is necessary.  As we get into July, the water drops and the Inflatable Kayak Trips explode in popularity for our high adventure seeking clients.

Inflatable Kayak Trips

As the water drops, the Inflatable kayaking on the Salmon heats up.  Inflatable Kayaks are stable river kayaks appropriately nicknamed duckys as they mimic ducks bobbing down the rapids.   This is the most active, physically fun activity we offer all summer long.  You get to choose your own adventure!  Take the “sneak” through the big rapids and enjoy the views, or paddle hard straight into the rapids and baptize yourself in crystal clear Salmon river water.  No experience necessary.  Ages 13+. Physically active.

 

 

SUP the Sawtooths!

Sawtooth Adventure Company offers an array of Paddle Board rentals ideal to maximize the SUP possibilities in the Sawtooth Valley.  Beginners to advanced paddlers will find an abundance of river and flat-water options surrounding Stanley, Idaho

Sawtooth Lakes

New this summer… Sawtooth Adventure Company proudly offers Glide SUPs for area lakes.  The high performance, handcrafted Glide boards are made in the USA. Not only do Glide boards perform, but they also boast the most environmentally conscience construction available.

GlideSUP

Stanley Lake

Located 15 minutes from SAC headquarters.  This pristine lake in the shadows of McGown Peak is a local favorite. Stanley Lake is at elevation 6500 ft , 1 mile long and 1/2 mile wide.  Stanley Lake has very little boat traffic in comparison to Redfish lake. Crystal clear, glassy flat-water is the norm.  Local beta…early morning is best for lack of crowds, lack of mosquitoes and glassy water.

Little Redfish Lake

Little Redfish is much smaller, and less crowded than its big brother up the road.  At elevation 6,400, Little Redfish is 1/2 mile wide, by 1/2 mile long.  What this lake lacks in size, it makes up in lack of crowds.  It is common to have the lake to yourself in the middle of summer.  A great meandering stream and wetlands feed Little Redfish offering some great exploring and fishing opportunities.  Local beta…great sunset paddle, the reflection of the sunlit Sawtooths is world-class!

Redfish Lake

The jewel of the Sawtooths.  Elevation 6540, 4.4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide.  The 11 miles of shoreline offers ample space to find your own piece of paradise.  On the Southern end you will find the transfer camp boat dock and rope swing.  Local beta…Live music on the lawn occurs every Sunday evening.  Hop on the board and take in the tunes.

Salmon River

 

 

County Line to the Sawtooth Hatchery

This views on this section  of river are World Class!  Sandwiched between the White Clouds to the East and the Sawtooths to the West, the views are 360, 24/7.  This river section meanders through the Sawtooth Valley with a few small Class II ripples.  The most challenging part of this section is the quick corners and shallows.  Nothing that a novice cant handle, just keep a heads up. Walking with your SUP occurs.  Local beta…springtime is the ticket.  the higher flows make this run super smooth, with a fun play wave at Decker Flats.

Buckhorn to Stanley

This section will keep you on your toes with consistent fun, Class II water.  Put in just above where hwy 75 crosses the Salmon.  Keep a heads up for wood on this section as a few lurking strainers exist.  Local beta….the view of the Sawtooths from the Redfish Creek, Salmon River Confluence could be the best vista in the valley!

Town to Mormon Bend 

Fun, flat water with a number of hotsprings!.  The first 1/3 of this section offers unsurpassed views as you float past lower Stanley and exit the Sawtooth Valley.  The river changes from wide & shallow to pocket pools full of trout.  Local beta…the lower the water, the better the hotsprings. Options include Boatbox, Meadow Springs and Mormon Bend.

Mormon Bend to Rough Creek

The perfect introduction to SUPn whitewater.  Around the first bend is Class II+ pontiac falls.  A fun run right down the center.  A number of fun class II ripples are topped off by the long, fun and fast Class II Rough Creek Rapid.  No worries if you swim here a big sandy beach is the perfect recovery zone. Local beta…make sure and check out Cove hotspring.  A fun and small play wave comes out under the bridge at moderate flows.

Rough Creek to Yankee Fork

Not recommend for paddlers without Class IV experience!  Shallow, fast and technical rapids.

Yankee Fork to Torrey’s

The famous Stanley Day Stretch.  This fun Class III section is busy with rafters and kayaks during the summer for good reason.  10 miles of fun Class II water with two standout Class III rapids.  Piece of Cake and the Narrows.  You can scout everything from the highway, highly recommended!  Local beta…The higher the water, the better the surf and play.  5ft on the guage is big, fun and powerful.  1ft to 3 ft is perfect for a wide range of skill levels.  Take out at Kayaker Takeout for your best bang for your buck

 

SUP Rentals

$50/day gets you a paddle, SUP board, PFD and helmet. Discount for multiple days. Pick Up/Drop off service available.

Call Johnny and explore the possibilities! (866)774-4644

Celebrating 15 years in Stanley,Idaho

Wow, it is hard to believe we will be kicking off SAC’s 15th summer on the Salmon River. Time moves awfully fast these days, but one thing remains the same.  The beauty of Stanley, the Sawtooth Mountains and the Salmon River of No Return is world class, unmatched, and good for the soul.  Do your inner self a favor and press refresh with a visit to this amazing corner of the world!

Rafting in Stanley, ID from Pat Clifford on Vimeo.

Sawtooth Adventure Co receives the highest ward from Tripadvisor.com

Sawtooth Adventure Company guides have done it again.  For the second year in a row SAC has been awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence.  This certificate indicates that SAC’s level of service is considered within the top 10% of the millions of businesses, worldwide, listed on TripAdvisor.com for its Sun Valley Rafting Trips

Sawtooth Adventure does it again.  2nd rear in a row!
Sawtooth Adventure does it again. 2nd rear in a row!

Tripadvisor.com is a huge business referrer for Sawtooth adventure Company.  If you have joined us on a Sawtooth Adventure please take a moment to post a review about your experience and ensure SAC stays #1!

Post a Review

Happy Holidays from the SAC family

Happy Holidays From Your River Family

Hard to believe that 2012 is all but in the books!  2013 will celebrate Sawtooth Adventure Company’s 13th season on the Salmon River.   Every summer we get the opportunity to share this amazing corner of our country and  expand our river family.  Thank you, we are extremely grateful.  We wish you all Healthy & Happy New Year!

 

This past September, during Andy and Vanessa’s (two SAC guides) wedding we were able to gather more past SAC employees than at any point in history. Picture Proof that SAC guides are the best!