Lower Salmon Gorge Rafting Trips | Salmon River

Key Points

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights (can be adjusted to group preferences)

Meeting Place: 419 N Main St. Riggins, ID 83549 (Wild River Adventures Shop)

Meeting Time: 8:00am MST

Length: 80 miles

Rapids: Class 3+ depending on flow, great for all experience levels.

Summary: This Multi-day River trip through the Lower Salmon River Gorge features huge sandy beaches, warm relaxing water, four geologically unique canyons, delicious food, stargazing, wildlife, and plenty of whitewater to make this an unforgettable trip.

Gear Provided: Camping Equipment, Type IV PFDs (Life Jacket), Splash Jackets and Wetsuits are provided depending on Weather and water temperature or upon request, All Other necessary Safety equipment.

Amenities: We will have snacks, water, beverages, and filling meals.

Hydrate! We recommend bringing water in a reusable water bottle (not bottled water). NO GLASS on the river. Soft-shell coolers are permitted as long as your guide feels comfortable they will not pose a safety hazard. 😉

Details

Join us for a fully catered, adventurous 4-day raft trip on the lower Salmon River. This trip takes your group on a raft and camp trip in the remote Lower Salmon River Gorge. The trip begins at Hammer Creek near White Bird, Idaho and carves its way through 75 miles of the second deepest canyon in the contiguous 48 states and ends at Heller bar on the Snake River near Lewiston, ID. The Salmon River is one of the most sought-after rafting destinations in the United States. You will enjoy rafting amazing whitewater rapids that range from mild to moderate in difficulty, and camping on white sandy beaches along the crystal clear water of the river. You will be able to escape the noise of civilization and enjoy the serenity and beauty of high mountains, deep river gorges and a wide assortment of wildlife.

Your guides will set up camp and prepare delicious meals like steaks and salmon cooked on grills and desserts like cobblers and cakes in dutch ovens. While dinner is prepared you can relax, read a book, or enjoy fishing, hiking, playing games or unwind around an evening campfire. At the end of the day you will fall asleep to the songs of birds and the purring of the river under majestic starry skies.

A gear boat will transport all of your personal gear, food and camping gear for the trip while you ride along with your guide at the helm in one of the guest rafts. You will have the option to paddle an inflatable kayak in some of the lesser rapids or leisurely float or swim along in the calm stretches of water.

Booking Info

We need at least 4 guests to make these trips possible. If you would like to book, but your party has fewer than 4 people, give us a call and we’ll work some magic!

What to Bring

Guests should bring their personal items and a sleeping bag and pillow. (A packing list will be provided once your trip is confirmed.) These will be packed in a riverbag to keep things dry.If there is anything you forgot, don’t have or can’t get,let us know, we have some back-up items just in case.

Itinerary

You will need to be in or near Riggins the night before the trip start date.

There are a few hotels/motels in Riggins where you can spend the night before the trip. Click here for a list of accommodations OR just say: Here are a few for your reference:

- Salmon Rapids Lodge; 208-628-2743
- Salmon River Motel: 208-628-3025
- Big Iron Motel: 208-628-3272
- Riggins Motel 208-628-3001

Our experience with each of these has been clean rooms, comfortable beds, and good Wi-Fi. These motels all have websites for more information. All Riggins motels are within a 3-minute drive to our shop, the Big Iron Motel is next door. There are other accommodations within a 40 minute drive in New Meadow, McCall or Grangeville.

You will meet us at our shop in Riggins, ID at 8:00 am on the morning of the first day of your trip. After our guides help get you things situated, we will load up the van’s and drive about 30 min to Hammer Creek for the start of your adventure.

Daily schedule on the river will be something like this:

Day 1:

- 8:00 am – Arrive at Wild River Adventures
- 10:00 am – Launch from Hammer Creek
- 12:00 – Lunch
- 4:00 pm – Locate beach for camping and set up camp, relax while dinner is prepared
- 6:00 – 6:30 Dinner, dessert
- Free time – relax, play games, campfire, fishing, etc.

Day 2:

- 8:00 am – Breakfast, clean up, pack boats
- 9:00 – 10:00 Back on the water for more rafting
- 12:00 – 12:30 Lunch
- 12:30 – 4 pm Rafting
- 4:00 – locate beach for camp and set up camp
- 6:00 – 6:30 Dinner, dessert,
- Free time – relax, play games, campfire, fishing, etc.

Day 3:

- 8:00 am – Breakfast, clean up, pack boats
- 9:00 – 10:00 Back on the water for more rafting
- 12:00 – 12:30 Lunch
- 12:30 – 4:00 pm Rafting
- 4:00 – Locate beach for camp, set up camp, prepare diner
- 6:00 – 6:30 dinner, dessert
- Free time- relax, play games, campfire, fishing, etc.
- Optional Day 3: Lay-over Day or float until noon. Hiking and other activities can be done. 5-day trips only

Day 4:

- 8:00 am – Breakfast clean up pack boats
- 9:30 – 10:00 Rafting, Confluence with Snake River through lower Hells Canyon
- 12:00 – Lunch
- 1:00 – 3:00 – Arrive at Heller Bar (near Lewiston, ID), guest pack personal belongings into own luggage
- Shuttle back to Riggins or have guest vehicles waiting there.

Other options: Some groups opt to meet a jet boat at the confluence of the Salmon and Snake rivers and take an approximately 1 hour jet boat ride back up the Snake River to Pittsburgh Landing where a shuttle will pick you up for a 1 hour ride back to Riggins. (Contact Wild River Adventures for the cost of this option)

Your trip can have up to 24 passengers – so feel free to invite other family and friends for a memory filled trip.

If anyone wants to fish, they will need to have their own equipment and an Idaho fishing license.

We look forward to sharing our passion for the river with you, and we hope you will find the joy, fulfillment and reinvigoration that we do while experiencing the beauties and adventures that nature provides us.

Packing List

A detailed list will be provided upon reservation confirmation. The following is to help you get started.

On the water: Fast-drying Swim suit or shorts, Shirt, Hat, durable footwear, no Crocs, or flip-flops, sandals with a strap and sturdy sole are best (Teva, old sneakers, etc.) Sunglasses with strap, refillable water bottle (not bottled water), camera, sunscreen, rain gear (in case it’s raining while you are getting splashed in a rapid)

In Camp: Dry clothing, dry footwear, jacket, rain coat, toiletries, pillow, flashlight, biodegradable soap, towel. Medications, epi-pen or comparable if severe allergies to foods or insects.

Rates

- 4 days – 3 Nights $1395
- 5 Day – 4 Nights $1595

Price does not include gratuities to guides, or lodging before or after the trip.

Click on the “Book Now” button to see the most current trip availability. If you do not see your preferred dates or need assistance with your reservation please contact us at 208-995-0181 or email at info@wildriveradv.com. We may be able to accommodate your schedule with adequate advance notice.