If you choose to fly into Salmon, Idaho (the nearest town to the Salmon River Lodge) we will meet you at the airport upon your arrival to transport you the rest of the way to the Salmon River Lodge where your trip begins. The drive from the airport is approximately 2 hours.

On the way, you will have the opportunity to stop at the North Fork Village store to purchase any remaining items such as hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and alcohol. We also recommend grabbing a scoop of ice cream!

Every trip begins with one night’s stay at the Salmon River Lodge. This allows you to rest after a long day of travel and become acquainted with your guides and the other folks on your trip over a delicious meal.

This is also where you will transfer your luggage into your provided river bags. Not sure what to take or leave behind? Your guides will be right there to help!

In the morning after breakfast, enjoy the views, take a relaxing tour of the property and get a nice hot shower in before it’s time to put on the river!

Your trip includes every meal from the time of your arrival to departure.

Mornings start with a pre-breakfast bar of fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt along with coffee, tea, and hot cocoa. Breakfast will follow, featuring menu items like pancakes, egg muffin sandwiches, veggie hash, and sausage to name a few.

Snacks like trail mix, granola bars, and fruit snacks are available at all times throughout the day.

Lunches range from taco salads to buffalo chicken wraps and are always served with a beverage, veggies and dip, chips, cookies, and pb & j sandwiches.

Appetizers are served every afternoon upon reaching the beach. Think charcuterie boards, chips and salsa, and spinach and artichoke dip!

Dinner is served by your guides. Favorite meals feature salmon, sirloin steak, and enchiladas! Like every meal, a main dish is served along with plenty of sides for everyone to choose from.

Dutch oven desserts complete the night. Carrot cake, s’mores and cinnamon churro chips are a few of our favorites.

Note: Salmon River Lodge caters to all dietary food restrictions and preferences. You will have the opportunity to fill out a questionnaire prior to your trip where you can provide us will the information necessary to accommodate your needs.

Every Salmon River Lodge guide is CPR and First Aid certified (although it’s likely your guide crew includes a few Wilderness First Responders and EMT-level training) as well as Swiftwater Rescue certified.

Most of our guides are so passionate about whitewater that kayaking and rafting is their year-round hobby, taking them to class 4 and 5 whitewater destinations around the world and the united states.

All guests will have the opportunity to choose a river craft that suits them, or to try out different crafts during the trip.

Oared rafts are a great option for those who want to sit back, relax, and take in the scenery while your guide handles the whitewater on their own.

Paddle rafts are perfect for people or groups of people who want to work together to navigate the river and paddle through rapids while your guide leads you with commands from the back.

Inflatable kayaks are the most fun for those looking for the highest level of adventure! Learn how to paddle yourself through rapids and overcome challenge (while having plenty of fun) with the help from your guide’s feedback and instruction.

We provide everything you need to be safe on the river except for the shoes on your feet.

This includes appropriately rated (and modern) helmets, life jackets, splash tops, and neoprene layers for chillier days.

The crafts we provide are of the highest quality, made right here in Idaho.

Every person is provided with a comfortable tent (no cramping necessary), a cot for staying off the ground, a thick foam and air combination sleeping pad, and a roomy sleeping bag for their comfort at camp.

One of the things the Main Salmon river is known for is its expansive, clear, starry night skies. This and the warm weather paired with white sandy beaches are usually enough to convince people to skip the tent and sleep under the stars.

We also provide camp games, dining tables and chairs, shade flies, rain shelter, bathroom privacy, hot camp showers, and a library on each trip!

A shuttle service from the boat ramp at the end of our trip to Boise, Idaho is included in the cost of your trip. We are also able to drop people off in Riggins or McCall on the way to Boise, should that better meet your needs.

Please note: a shuttle service back to the city of Salmon, Idaho is not included in your trip. If you plan to drive your own vehicle to the Salmon River Lodge, you must book a shuttle service to drive your car to the take-out. Check our How to Get Here page for more details.