Middle Fork Salmon River Rafting

We've run trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon since 1989 and based on our historical data, we know that on most years we have to start flying into Indian Creek by July 30 because the water gets too low to float on the first 23 miles from Boundary Creek to Indian Creek. Therefore, the trip departure date determines our meeting point. Our "Before You ROW" section explains these logistics. You can also read our blog on Middle Fork flows for more information. 

Trips from June 1 - July 22: Arrive in Stanley

Arrive in Stanley by 7:00 p.m. MST to meet ROW’s team leader at the Mountain Village Inn for a one-hour orientation meeting. We'll answer any last-minute questions and provide waterproof bags for your gear. Dinner on your own. You could schedule some time at the hotel’s private hot spring (reserve when checking in).

Trips from July 30 - September: Arrive in Salmon

Arrive in Salmon by 7:00 p.m. MST to meet ROW's team leader at the Stagecoach Inn for a one-hour orientation meeting.  We'll answer any last-minute questions and waterproof bags for your gear. Dinner on your own.

ACCOMMODATION : Mountain Village Resort until July 22, Stagecoach July 30th and after (Not Included in trip cost)

Let the Rafting Begin

Meet your group at 7:30am. We'll take a two-hour bus ride to Boundary Creek and start our trip. At 6,000 feet elevation, the air is crisp and the forest thick with fir and spruce. At the river we'll go through a safety orientation while your personal gear is loaded onto our rafts. After orientation everyone chooses a raft (paddle or oar-powered) and climbs aboard. The first 15 miles of the Middle Fork are fast and rapids are steep, narrow and come in quick succession. During lunch we'll explain how we minimize our impact on the river with Leave No Trace camping ethics.

After lunch the river continues to be lively and challenging. Every few hundred yards a creek tumbles into the river increasing the flow. We travel between 10 and 15 miles the first day and arrive at camp around 4:00pm. Enjoy the free time for hiking, fishing, reading or just relaxing. Hors d’oeuvres are served around 6:00 and dinner around 7:30. After dinner a campfire is lit and the warmth invites all to share stories of the day, and life.

ACCOMMODATION : Riverside Camping

MEALS INCLUDED : L, D

Whitewater, Pioneer Homesteads and Sunflower Flat Hotsprings

We awake around 7:00am and enjoy fresh-brewed coffee. Breakfast is served and you pack up your personal gear. The rafts are loaded and we depart from camp around 9:30 for an adventure-packed day of rapids, magnificent scenery and fun. We make it a point to visit one or two pioneer homesteads on these first few days. We'll likely stop to explore the old miner’s camp at Powerhouse Rapids. Today’s a good day to keep your eyes open for the nest of the American Dipper, a small gray bird that swims underwater and builds its nest above fast-flowing water.

We'll have plenty of fun rapids as the river continues its quick descent.  We’ll stop for a soak in Sunflower Flat Hot Springs where several pools above the river cascade over a rocky cliff to create nature’s perfect shower. We make camp around 4:00pm and enjoy hiking, fishing and relaxing. After dinner the night sky welcomes stargazers and, later on, the river lulls you to sleep.

ACCOMMODATION : Riverside Camping

MEALS INCLUDED : B, L, D

Whitewater, Hiking, Native American Pictographs and Loon Creek Hot Springs

The river canyon opens now and we’ve dropped over 1,500 feet in elevation. Days and nights are warmer. The fir and spruce give way to ponderosa pines, sagebrush and riparian hardwoods. The sparkling-clear water carries us swiftly along as the river channel widens and narrows with the underlying geology. One of today's highlights is stopping to view pictographs of the Native American Tukudeka, or Sheepeaters, who lived in this canyon until the 1870’s.

The afternoon is casual as the current slows a bit. We'll learn about early pioneers like Charlie Norton, who had a run in with a bear as amazing as the saga of Jedediah Smith. By mid-afternoon we arrive at camp near Loon Creek, around 50 miles from our starting point. Tonight’s highlight is a hike to the Loon Creek hot springs and anglers may enjoy casting a line into Loon Creek. Summer evenings are long, with darkness arriving around 9:30pm in June and July. The night sky, crackling campfire and fresh mountain air will help you sleep like a baby.

ACCOMMODATION : Riverside Camping

MEALS INCLUDED : B, L, D

Whitewater, Hospital Bar and Tappan Ranch

Another day of fun rapids and incredible Rocky Mountain scenery. We’ll likely see big horn sheep as we pass several mineral licks. Those fishing will continue to find bountiful trout and birdwatchers are likely to spot golden eagles and falcons. We pass our last hot spring at Hospital Bar, so named because early cattlemen let their stock rest and feed at this large flat and easy ford across the river. We'll also see Tappan Ranch, where Red and Daisey Paulsen-Tappen grew a bountiful garden and raised a family with self-sufficiency and $300 a year in the 1920’s and 30’s.

Continuing on we run the Tappan rapids. This is a great photo opportunity with plenty of splashes and thrills. The final miles to camp offer a chance to lean back and take in the monumental scenery of the River of No Return Wilderness.

ACCOMMODATION : Riverside Camping

MEALS INCLUDED : B, L, D

Whitewater, Impassable Canyon, Waterfall Creek and Veil Falls

Today we run Haystack Rapid, the most dynamic rapid on the river. Side canyon “blow outs” have changed its course twice in the last few years. This is the official start of Impassable Canyon. Below Haystack rapids, the canyon narrows and deepens creating a series of action-packed rapids. A favorite stop is at Waterfall Creek, where a steep trail leads up to the Bighorn Crags. We walk beneath the falls and on hot days finish with a jump into the river. Shortly downstream the river cuts into the Idaho batholith – the largest monolithic chunk of granite in North America. The river has carved into the granite and created towering walls for neck-bending panoramas. Further downstream we stop to hike to the base of Veil Falls, a soul-stirring cavern replete with pictographs and magic. Today’s scenery is truly among the most astounding on earth.

From camp the silhouette of canyon walls against the wine-dark sky will captivate you as you reflect, celebrate and further connect with newfound friends on your last night on the Middle Fork.

ACCOMMODATION : Riverside Camping

MEALS INCLUDED : B, L, D

Whitewater, Confluence with the Main Salmon, Take Out

As we push off from shore the river takes us past the former hideout of Earl Parrot, Hermit of Impassable Canyon. His story is as big as the canyon and adds just one more thread of wonder to your Middle Fork experience. As the sun breaks over the canyon rim, more big rapids greet us as we pass beneath vistas of staggering dimensions.

We stop to enjoy lunch on a glistening sand beach just a few miles above the Middle Fork's confluence with the Main Salmon. We proceed onto our takeout, carry personal gear to the waiting bus, and settle back for a two-hour ride to the town of Salmon and the Stagecoach Inn.

ACCOMMODATION : Stagecoach Inn (Not Included in trip cost)

MEALS INCLUDED : B, L

Return Home or Extend Your Stay

All trips end in Salmon, Idaho. For trips that launched June 1 - July 22, if you had your car shuttled from Stanley to Salmon, it is waiting for you at the hotel.  If you are flying back to Boise, you board an air taxi for the 1.5 hour flight.
For trips July 30 to September, if you drove your car will be where you left it at the Stagecoach Inn.  If you are flying back to Boise, you board an air taxi for the 1.5 hour flight.

ROW is proud to be an Equal Opportunity recreation service provider and employer under permit from Salmon, Payette, Boise and Challis National Forests.  All our operations and facilities are operated on a non-discriminatory basis. ROW Inc. is bonded and licensed by the State of Idaho Outfitters & Guides Licensing Board.