Join us for Fun and Exciting Events on the Salmon River
Riggins City Park
Big Water Blowout
- First Saturday in June
- Riggins City Park (across from Wild River Adventures)
Big Water Blowout kicks off summer in Riggins with live music, vendors, food, and kids’ games at the City Park. The Salmon River is running high and powerful this time of year, making it one of the most exciting weekends to experience rafting. Expect splashy, adrenaline-filled whitewater and a fun festival atmosphere right across from our shop.
Riggins City Park
Rattle the Canyon
- First Saturday in June
- Riggins City Park (across from Wild River Adventures)
This summer concert brings music lovers together in the canyon. Spend the day rafting the Salmon, then walk across the street from our shop to enjoy live bands, local food, and a night of dancing under the stars. A perfect weekend of whitewater and music.
Riggins City Park
Hot Summer Nights
- Last Weekend in July
- Riggins City Park (across from Wild River Adventures)
Riggins’ biggest street dance and music festival. Expect live music, a car show, and a lively small-town party vibe. You can raft with us during the day, grab dinner in town, and head across the street for live entertainment in the evening.
Big Iron Motel, Riggins
Ride and Raft
- August (dates vary)
- Big Iron Motel (next door to Wild River Adventures)
Ride and Raft blends motorcycles and rafting for a one-of-a-kind event. Riders cruise Highway 95, then trade leather for lifejackets for a guided trip on the Salmon. If you’re part of the ride, rafting with us is built right into the weekend experience.
Riggins
Rafting for Relief
- Second Saturday in August
- Salmon River near Riggins (launch near downtown)
Hosted by Wild River Adventures, this annual fundraiser float supports Idaho guides and nonprofits like the Redside Foundation. The day includes a scenic community float, music, and gathering in town. Expect a laid-back rafting experience with a cause — it’s less about big rapids and more about floating together and celebrating the river community.
Riggins
Swiftwater Rescue Certification Course
- Spring or early summer (dates vary)
- Salmon River near Riggins
This SRT certification course is for those who want to build rescue skills. Taught by the Swiftwater Safety Institute, it’s a hands-on, multi-day training. Expect to spend full days on the river practicing rope systems, swimming in rapids, and learning essential safety techniques.
Idaho River Communities
Redside Rendezvou
- Annually, just before Memorial Day
- Rotates between Riggins, Salmon, and Stanley, Idaho
The Redside Rendezvous is a gathering of guides, outfitters, and conservationists. Visitors can expect live music, food, and community celebrations of Idaho’s rivers. If you’re in Riggins for this weekend, rafting season is just beginning — a great way to pair your trip with both river culture and river adventure.
Riggins
Women with Bait Fishing Tournament
- Mother’s Day weekend (May)
- Salmon River, Riggins
A lighthearted fishing competition where teams of women go after spring Chinook with local guides. The atmosphere is fun and social, drawing visitors from across the region. Rafting season is ramping up at the same time — a perfect weekend to try both fishing and rafting in Riggins.
Salmon River
Riggins Jet Boat Races
- Third weekend in April
- Riggins, Idaho – Salmon River
High-speed races where jet boats roar through the canyon rapids. Spectators line the riverbanks to watch. For rafting, the river is usually too high and cold for most guests this early, but the races are a spectacle worth seeing and a sign rafting season is just around the corner.
Lakeside Liberty Fest
McCall Fourth of July
- July 4–6
- Legacy Park and Payette Lake, McCall
McCall’s biggest event of the year with fireworks, parades, vendors, and music around Payette Lake. Expect large crowds and a lively party atmosphere. If you’re looking for a quieter way to celebrate, head down to Riggins for a rafting trip — only an hour away and far less crowded.
McCall Winter Carnival
Downtown McCall & Payette Lake
- February (10 days, dates vary)
- McCall, Idaho
A famous Idaho winter festival featuring giant snow and ice sculptures, parades, fireworks, and family events. Expect large crowds, busy streets, and plenty of winter fun. While rafting isn’t in season during Carnival, many visitors plan to return in summer for a rafting trip on the Salmon after experiencing McCall in winter.
