Main Salmon River

Our Main Salmon River trips put in at Corn Creek, just below the confluence of the Main Salmon River and the Middle Fork on the Salmon River, and take out at Carey Creek. We float almost 80 miles of the beautiful Salmon River.
Length
6 Days
Miles
80
Starts at
$2250
Starts at    $2250
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Our Main Salmon Rafting Trips

The Main Salmon River, also known as “The River of No Return” is one of the best Wilderness River vacations in the world. You will travel from the Corn Creek put-in site to the Carey Creek take-out site, a distance of just over 80 miles. The Main Salmon River is a classic “pool and drop” white water river meaning you will encounter numerous class III rapids, or drops, each day that are followed by large calm pools. The water temps are warm, and we use a mix of oar boats, paddles boats, inflatable kayaks, and standup paddleboards to offer our guests as active of a river vacation as you are interested in.

Camps on the Main Salmon River are a mix of large white-sand beaches, timbered benches, and even historic pioneer homestead sites. Each camp offers extensive hiking opportunities, and we will make stops each day to visit various Native American points of interest as well as scenic vistas. We will also stop for a soak in natural hot springs!

The Main Salmon River Trip is a great trip for all experience levels and we are happy to have kids as young as 5 years of age on many of our trips. The Main Salmon River, or The River of No Return, flows through the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area as well as the Gospel Hump Wilderness Area and is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

What you’ll experience

  • White sandy beaches
  • Fun whitewater for all ages & abilities
  • Perfect swimming holes
  • Beautiful tributaries of the Salmon River
  • Big game animals, foragers, waterfowl, and birds
  • Daily opportunities to hike hillsides, ridges, along streams, and to historical sites.
  • Starry skies

Photo Gallery

  • rafting floating a mellow section of the main salmon river
  • group picture of friends and family on a main salmon river trip
  • big smiles from people on raft going down the main salmon river
  • kid having fun jumping into the main salmon river off of a raft
  • group campsite on the main salmon river
  • little boy smiling on a main salmon river rafting trip

Photo Gallery

ANSWERS TO ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS

WHAT GEAR DO YOU PROVIDE?

Idaho River Adventures provides all gear that is needed for the Main Salmon trip. Personal items, such as clothing and toiletries, are the only things we do not provide.

WHERE DOES THIS TRIP START AND END?

We will meet as a group in Salmon, ID at the Stagecoach Inn at 6:30pm the evening prior to the start date of your trip, and finish in McCall, ID, arriving mid-afternoon on the last day of your trip. We are very happy to help you with travel planning for this trip as the logistics can seem a bit daunting (it really is not!).

WILL THERE BE TIME FOR HIKING AND SOME SIGHTSEEING ALONG THE WAY?

There are lots of hikes & sightseeing to be had on the Main Salmon. You will have daily opportunities to hike hillsides, ridges, along streams, and to historical sites.

CAN WE BRING BEER, WINE AND/OR LIQUOR?

Yes, we have room to transport it and ice to keep it cool. We do ask you to bring beer in cans but wine and liquor in their glass bottles is fine. Idaho

CAN I FISH ON THE MAIN SALMON TRIP?

Yes, you can fish on the Main Salmon. We encourage anyone who has the interest to purchase a license and fish as much as you like. Idaho River Adventures provides some fly fishing gear for those who do not have their own or who do not want to travel with it.

DO YOU ACCOMMODATE TO SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS?

Yes. You will be asked to complete a trip application that, among other things, will ask for any dietary needs. We are happy to work with people to accommodate dietary needs.

IS IT TYPICAL TO OFFER THE CREW A GRATUITY AND IF SO WHAT IS THE TYPICAL AMOUNT?

Yes, the crew does appreciate gratuities, though we do not expect it. If you are able and have had an experience that warrants a gratuity the industry standard is 15% to 20% of your trip cost. Cash is always the best but we can accommodate a personal check or even credit card for the gratuity.

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Let’s get you on the river

We can tailor all the details of a Main Salmon River raft trip to your group. Idaho River Adventures will handle every detail. We want you to sit back and soak in the wonders of the Salmon River.

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