Salmon River Rafting

Trip Highlights

MEETING PLACE: Hells Canyon Grand Hotel, Lewiston Idaho

MEETING TIME: 7:00 PM MST

RIVER RATING: Class II-IV
TRIP MILES: 56 - 74 Miles
RETURN TIME: 5:00 PM PST Lewiston, Idaho

TRIP LENGTH: 4 or 5 days
AGE LIMIT: Minimum age is 5 (10 at high water)
BOAT TYPE: Paddle Raft, Oar Raft, Inflatable Kayaks

TRIP INCLUDES: Services of our talented adventure consultants and professional guides, all meals/beverages as indicated in the itinerary, all rafting/camping gear, transportation to/from river.

DOES NOT INCLUDE: Airfare/transportation beginning and ending points, gratuities, travel protection plan, pre-& post-trip hotel, items of a personal nature

Sample Itinerary

Day 0: Arrive in Lewiston, ID, Orientation Meeting

Meet at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel in Lewiston, Idaho, and be introduced to the Team Leader for your Salmon River rafting trip. There is a short, hour-long orientation at around 7:00 pm PST where any questions will be answered and you will receive waterproof bags for your personal items.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Hells Canyon Grand Hotel (Not Included in trip cost) - Make your reservations early
MEALS INCLUDED: none

Day 1: Nez Perce National Historical Park

Let's get on the Lower Salmon River! At 7:30 am you'll meet with your Salmon river rafting team leader and take a bus ride up to the launch close to Whitebird, Idaho. The bus ride is two hours. We'll make a quick stop on the way for a tour of the Nez Perce National Historical Park and receive a short talk about the native tribes who made their homes on the Salmon River. Their rich heritage has been preserved in the Nez Perce Reservation near the Salmon and Clearwater Rivers. We'll get to the launch point mid-morning. The summers in this area are hot and dry; highs in the daytime can reach 90 degrees and nights can get down to the '60s. Before we launch, ROW staff will give you a thorough rundown of all safety procedures while the gear is being loaded. Some main points will be the proper way to paddle and ride, how to swim safely in rapids, and several other tips. After this, you will choose between paddle or oar driven rafts and inflatable kayaks, and we all hop aboard.

The Lower Salmon River is a “pool and drop” style trip, which means that there will be a long stretch of calm river punctuated by periodic rapids. At first, we'll have some great beginner rapids that will be a fun way to learn how to maneuver.

At lunchtime, we'll stop and have a quick orientation on how to lessen our impact on nature and on the river while the crew prepares lunch. ROW follows the ethical standards of “Leave No Trace,” and you'll learn the proper place to dispose of trash, how to use the bathroom and where you'll be able to wash. This will be followed by deli sandwiches in the beautiful open air. At roughly 4:00 pm we'll finish our first Salmon River rafting day and set up camp where you can hike, swim, fish, read or just relax.

At 6:00 we serve hors-d'oeuvres and then dinner is at 7:30 pm. We'll light a campfire and enjoy the evening with each other. We might have a little lesson in astronomy or share stories of the wild!

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: L, D

Day 2: Green Canyon

Tea and coffee are available at 7:00 am followed by a hearty breakfast at 7:30 am. We'll clean up, pack the gear, and set out for today's adventure at 9:30 am. There will be gorgeous scenery, sunlight, and exciting rapids on this day of the Salmon River rafting trip. We'll have a quick stop at a historic Native American rock art location made by the predecessors of the Nez Perce, who were once the largest tribe in the Northwest. They populated millions of acres and built settlements along the Clearwater, Snake, and Salmon Rivers. These rivers fed the Native Americans with fish and provided the spiritual inspiration for the tribe. In the cooler months, they made their homes in “pit houses” that we'll be able to view on a short hike. Looking at these sites one can only imagine what their lives must have been like so many centuries ago. Next, we'll pass into Green Canyon in the Lower Salmon which is the home of the famous Demon's Drop and Wright Way rapids that will have you shouting with excitement. At lunch, we'll stop at a large beach where you can swim and play some games. Then we'll pile back into the boats for an afternoon of mostly peaceful water and a few small Salmon river rapids. With luck, we'll even see some eagles soaring high overhead. At night we'll make camp, have dinner and then gather around the campfire or do some stargazing!

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D

Day 3: Cougar Canyon; Snowhole Canyon

On this thrill-packed whitewater rafting day on the Salmon River, we'll make our way through Snowhole Canyon and Cougar Canyon. We'll hit some larger rapids like Snowhole, Bodacious Bounce, China, the Gobbler, Bunghole, and Lorna's Lulu which are sure to give you some great stories to take back home. An interesting bit of history about the Salmon River Canyons is the tale of the Chinese who came to mine gold in 1864. The discovery of gold happened in 1861 and soon the area was full of Chinese miners setting up camps. By 1870 Idaho's population was 25% Chinese. Through the use of manual labor and archaic hydraulic systems, they moved hundreds of tons of rock and earth looking for gold. They built rock houses that still stand as a monument to the camps and the endurance of the miners. As we get to camp the guides will have games for either kids or adults and we'll be able to play horseshoes, rig a volleyball net or just hike the nearby hills for breathtaking views of the Salmon River. Evenings are long and night won't fall until 9:30 pm in the summer. You'll fall asleep to the comforting crackling of the campfire and the fresh summer breeze blowing across your face.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D

Day 4: Cottonwood Creek; Blue Canyon

We'll have some more fun with Lower Salmon whitewater rapids and the gorgeous scenery and we might even see some river otters frolicking in the shallows. Adventurous explorers will have a chance to swim through a rapid as we go through Cottonwood Creek. We may take a hike to the Reeves' homestead near Wapshilla Creek for another intriguing history lesson about a Nez Perce named Jackson Sundown. He got married to Cecilia Wapshella while he worked in the Reeve's ranch and also won the Pendleton Round-Up, a famous rodeo, in 1916 when he was 53 years old. By this time we'll be in tune with the rhythm of the river and home will seem millions of miles away. After a filling lunch, we'll get to Blue Canyon of the Salmon River, so named because of the dark bluish igneous rock covering the striking landscape. The river gets narrower at this point and turns into one long stretch of wild rapids. We'll tear through Eye of the Needle, Checkerboard, Sluice Box, and Devils Slide, ending your Salmon rafting trip in a wild finale of excitement. We'll camp where the Salmon merges with Snake River at another gorgeous sandy beach. Natural beaches like this are only seen on undammed rivers where sediment can freely travel down the river and finally come to rest to forming comfy white-sand beaches. Dammed rivers slowly lose their beaches because the sediment that would normally replenish them is trapped behind the walls of the dam.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D

Day 5: Snake/Salmon Conﬂuence

If we didn't make it this far yesterday, we'll see the confluence of the Snake and Salmon Rivers. There is a powerful energy here where the mighty Salmon, the “River of No Return,” joins with the Snake at the bottom of Hell's Canyon. After we get onto the Snake we'll be pushed by twice as much water. The Snake River flows as the boundary between states, so on the right side will be Idaho, and the left side will be Oregon followed by Washington. The river is bigger, so the rapids are grander and the calms are more serene. We'll have a tasty final lunch on a beach and after several more miles of awe-inspiring river, we'll finally get to the stopping point of our river journey just below the confluence of the Snake and Grande Ronde Rivers. It'll be about 3:00 pm. It’s a quick 45-minute ride back to the town of Lewiston, Idaho.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Hells Canyon Grand Hotel (Not included in trip cost) - Make your reservations early
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L

Day 6: Departure
If you drove to Lewiston your car is waiting for you at the hotel. If you ﬂew, take the hotel shuttle to the Lewiston airport or a taxi to the Spokane airport. You may consider visiting our own River Dance Lodge, a beautiful log cabin adventure resort just a few hours drive away. Horseback riding, hiking, fishing, and biking are a few of the available activities. If you're on your way to Glacier National Park this is a great stopping point for a day.

Travel Arrangements

Meeting Time:

We meet you at 7:00 pm in the evening at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel in Lewiston, Idaho. Here we have an orientation meeting to tell you more about the trip, answer your last-minute questions, and to give you your waterproof bags to pack. As well we'll have some of our specialty outdoor items for sale such as ROW hats and eyeglass retainers. Early the next morning (around 7:30 am) we leave the hotel in the ROW bus and drive to the put-in. Please have breakfast on your own before we leave. On our 4- and 5-day trips, we put in at White Bird, Idaho, a 3-hour drive from Lewiston. On the last day of the trip, we'll return you to the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel where we encourage you to spend the night.

Lodging Accommodations:

We meet you at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel in Lewiston, Idaho. Please make your hotel reservations early with the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel. The hotel has storage facilities for your luggage and a place for valuables while you are on the river. Cars may be left in their parking lot. The address is 621 21st St, Lewiston, Idaho 83501. The local phone number is (208) 799-1000.

If you drive:

There are good highways leading to Lewiston from all directions. Some people may even want to ﬂy to Seattle or Portland and drive. From either city to Lewiston it's roughly 350 miles and takes about 6 hours.

If you ﬂy:

The Lewiston airport is easily reached by Alaska or Delta airlines and you can connect through Seattle or Salt Lake City. The Red Lion Hotel does provide a free transfer service to/from the airport from 6 am to midnight. Alternatively, guests can ﬂy to Spokane, Washington, and then rent a car for the pleasant 100-mile drive south that takes about two hours.

Weather

Of all the sections of the Salmon River, these canyons offer the most idyllic camping conditions and warmest water. There are no mosquitoes and air temperatures are typically between 85-95 degrees during the day and 60-70 at night.

Weather: If you are curious about the weather on the Salmon River, the weather is very similar to the weather on the Snake River as it is very close in proximity. Here is a link to preview the forecast.

When to Go: As the Salmon River Canyons can be too high to float in June, our season starts around July 6 and goes through September. (Note our special 3-day departures offered throughout the season on the “Salmon near Riggins.”) Generally, our 5-day open enrollment trips start on Mondays. However, our permit on the Salmon River Canyons allows us to launch any day we want and if we don't have scheduling conflicts, for groups we may be able to be flexible if your schedule requires a different start date. As well, we're able to accommodate groups as small as 18 (or smaller during our shoulder season in September) who want their own private charter.

Getting Ready

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Here at ROW Adventures, our first and foremost goal is for you to have an enjoyable and safe experience. While most of our trips are suitable for beginners, some of our trips are more active than others and it’s important that you understand the physical requirement of the trip you choose.

All of our multi-day rafting trips are active adventures that involve some level of physical exertion and possible exposure to the elements including but not limited to wind, rain, heat, sun, cold temperatures and cold water conditions. ROW Adventures is able to accommodate people with physical limitations, disabilities, and medical conditions; please speak with your Adventure Consultant if you think you will require any additional assistance while on the trip. We ask that you consult your Doctor if you have health or medical conditions that could impact your ability to participate in an active and outdoor adventure. In general, all trip participants must be able to do the following:

Wear all protective and safety equipment that is required by ROW Adventures and recommended/required by industry-wide standards.

Load and unload, on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion, the bus and/or van providing transportation for ROW Adventures activities.

Reach the river access points (put-in and take-out) on their own, or with the aid of a qualified companion.

Enter and exit the raft, or inflatable kayak on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion.

Remain seated and balanced in a floating raft, or inflatable kayak w/ the aid of adaptive equipment, if necessary.

Perform all on water activities, including following instructions that like paddling commands from the guide in class I and higher whitewater on their own or with the assistance of a qualified companion.

Float on their back when entering moving and still water. The participant must be capable of turning from face-down to face-up in the water with the aid of a Personal Floatation Device and must be able to hold their breath while underwater.

Remain calm and keep breathing under control in the event of a whitewater swim.

Get out from under a raft, whether the raft is up-right or capsized, in moving water.

Climb into the raft, with the help of another person, should an involuntary swim happen at any point on the river.

Make progress toward the shoreline or a raft by swimming in moving water and must be able to exit the river and ascend the shoreline once reached.

Participate as an active paddler when instructed by the guide for the duration of the trip.

Move about the campsite on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion on all trips that include overnight camping and/or lunch.

Packing list

Packing properly for a river trip is CRITICAL to your enjoyment while on the river. We recommend that you prepare yourself for three basic scenarios:

A cool day on the river.
A warm day on the river.
Time spent lounging in camp.

Take care of these, and you are free to let the river and the canyon work their magic.

Weather in the northwest is unpredictable. You must come prepared for the cold/wet weather and hot/sunny weather – sometimes even on the same day! The following information will help you be prepared for the expected as well as the unexpected events of your trip. You may not use all of the gear listed below, but we recommend bringing it all!

DRYBAGS THAT ROW PROVIDES

One large waterproof bag (16” in diameter x 33” tall) per person. This will contain your sleeping bag as well as your personal clothing and items. This bag is NOT accessible during the day as it goes ahead of the group with our cargo raft.
Note: This bag will also contain additional gear provided by ROW: Sleeping bag, flannel liner & pillow
A small daypack (9” in diameter x 20” tall) for items you want to access during the day such as rain gear, sunscreen, camera, medications, etc.

WHAT YOU SHOULD PACK:

All of your personal items that will be brought on the river should be packed into a soft-sided duffle bag approximately 12” x 13” x 24” in size. Due to weight allowances and raft space, please limit your gear to 20-25 pounds. This bag will then go inside of your large waterproof bag provided by ROW.

ITEMS FOR ON THE RIVER

Two T-Shirts (1 quick dry and 1 cotton for a hot day)
One light long-sleeved shirt for sun protection and cool evenings. Popular options are a rash guard or sunscreen shirts.
Two pairs of shorts (nylon quick drying always better than cotton).
Light pants are great for sun protection or on a windy day. Lightweight zip off pants works great.
Swimsuit – two-piece suits are easier for women - tankinis with river shorts are a great option.
One pair of river sandals (must have an ankle strap, no flipflops!) Velcro is okay if in good condition. Popular name brands include Chaco, Teva, Keen, or Merrells. Tennis shoes with polypro socks are a good option if your feet tend to get cold.
One Cap, Sun Hat or Visor (ROW hats are available when you arrive.)

ITEMS GOOD TO HAVE IN YOUR DRY BAG ON THE RIVER

One rain suit, jacket & pants (windbreaker without cotton liner works well, but no cheap ponchos)
Mid-weight to light-weight long underwear tops and bottoms. Best worn over a swimsuit and undershorts.
One synthetic or wool mid-weight sweaters for layering on the river on cool days.
Sunglasses with retaining cord/device
Bee Sting kit for those allergic to bees
Sun Screen
Water bottle with carabiner
Extra Sun Hat, Cap or Visor

ITEMS FOR TIME AT CAMP

Two Short sleeve shirts (Enjoy clean and comfortable cotton)
One pair of pants (lightweight nylon, cotton or fleece)
Pair of shorts
One synthetic mid-weight sweaters for cool evenings
Underwear and socks
Flashlight or headlamp with extra bulb and batteries
Skin lotion, lip balm, waterproof sunscreen, etc.
Toilet kit - toothbrush and paste, soap ( biodegradable is best, no soaps can be used in the river), camp towel, washcloth, comb, handkerchief, a small pack of tissues, small mirror, moist towelettes, shaving stuff, feminine sanitary supplies, etc.
Extra eyeglasses and/or contact lenses strongly suggested. ALL glasses need a head strap!
One pair of tennis shoes or walking shoes for cooler weather and hiking. (We don’t recommend you bring large hiking boots as they take up too much space and aren’t necessary.) Flip-flops are also comfortable for easy walking on sandy beaches!

OPTIONAL ITEMS

Camera – waterproof digital with extra batteries & memory card recommended. Many guests use smartphones (there is NOT cell service on the river). A waterproof case is highly recommended for protection and ease of use.
Paddling Gloves
Sarong – a good item to help you cool off if you do not want to swim.
Sundress for camp
2-3 Carabiners for clipping items to the boat
Binoculars
Plastic garbage bags (2-3 for separating dirty/wet clothes in your waterproof bag)
Cards, games, books, musical instruments, journals
Fishing gear and Idaho fishing license if you plan to fish - must be in a protective case & disassembled. Only catch and release fishing with single barbless hooks is allowed!!

LAYERING FOR OUTDOOR COMFORT
Clothing layers are the thermostat of the wilderness. As you get ready for your river trip, think about dressing in layers. By adding and subtracting layers you can keep yourself perfectly comfortable. If you were to look into the dry bags of a well-prepared river guide you would see packing for three weather scenarios -- cold, wet days; hot, summer days; and cool evenings and mornings in camp. All of your on-river clothing should be made from synthetic fabrics with names like fleece, pile, polypropylene, Capilene™ or polyester. A cotton T-shirt is used occasionally on hot, sunny days, but cotton clothing is best saved for on-shore camp use.

LAYER #1: The layer next to your skin should be close-fitting and thin. Start with a swimsuit and/or swim trunks and synthetic or wool shirt as a base layer. You do not want to wear cotton on the river on cool rainy days. The evaporation of water from a wet cotton layer will actually make you colder! Synthetic fibers maintain insulative properties when wet and "wick" moisture away from your skin.
LAYER #2: The next layer should also be made of a synthetic fiber, but should be a bit heavier in weight. If you get too warm you can always peel this layer off.
LAYER #3: The outer layer is what is known as the "barrier" layer. This layer should be waterproof and loose-fitting enough to give you a good range of motion. The idea of this layer is to seal out water, and seal in the warmth generated by you and insulated by layers # 1 and # 2. A good rain suit can do the job, or a good paddling jacket and pants. Not only will this protect you from rainstorms, but chilly water temperatures when running rapids as well!

FISHING

If you plan to fish, please bring your own fishing gear (with a protective case), as we do not have any to loan. An IDAHO fishing license is required if you plan on fishing. You can pre-purchase a license by going to the website https://idfg.idaho.gov/license/purchase-options. You can purchase a license in Lewiston only if arriving prior to 6 pm. You must have a current driver’s license to purchase a license.

LIQUOR AND PREFERED BEVERAGES

ROW packs moderate quantity of soft drinks as well as wine and beer for legal age guests. If you bring liquor, please give it to your guide in a labeled plastic container. Beer should be in cans - No glass beer bottles please. Bottled wine is fine. All liquors in IDAHO are sold in State Liquor Stores with limited hours. Please be aware we have limited space on our rafts therefore moderate quantities, please. If you are arriving after 7 pm BE SURE TO PURCHASE your liquor at home and bring it with you.

GRATUITIES:

Like anyone in the service business, river and outdoor adventure guides appreciate gratuities. Our guides are some of the best and most highly trained in the business. They not only guide your raft down the river, but set up camp, cook and serve gourmet meals, provide interpretation on the natural and cultural history of the area and strive to provide the highest level of hospitality. Tipping is ultimately a personal decision, however if you appreciate the service your guides provided, then as a guideline we suggest a gratuity of 10-20% of the trip price.

Tips can be given to the ROW Team Leader at the end of the trip in the form of cash or personal check. The Team Leader distributes them equally among the guides and gives a portion to ROW’s behind-the-scenes, unsung heroes like our drivers and food shoppers.

Reading List

Salmon River Canyons reading list Some of our favorite books on the Salmon River

Helpful links

Lower Salmon River boaters guide Take a look at a Salmon River Map

Visit Idaho online Additional information about Idaho

Salmon River Lore A brief history of the Salmon River

A Lewiston Guide What to do in Lewiston

White Water Craft Guide - Types of crafts we utilize on river trips

Terms and Conditons

Please see our full Terms & Conditions HERE.

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