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Planning Your Trip

For Main Salmon River 5 Day Wilderness Journeys
Your journey begins in beautiful Salmon, Idaho at the Idaho Adventures Headquarters. If you are flying air charter into Salmon either your hotel shuttle or an Idaho Adventures shuttle van will be waiting for you at the Salmon Airport. At 6:00 p.m. the evening prior to your river launch, we will have an orientation meeting to instruct guests on river/wilderness protocol, low impact camping, safety procedures and to distribute your Free Idaho Adventures duffle for re-packing your gear and a personal drinking mug.

Transportation we provide: A bus or van will transport you to the river put-in 2 hours downriver at Corn Creek. We take off the river on the 5th day at Carey Creek where a chartered bus or van is waiting to deliver you to McCall. Leaving McCall: Extended transportation packages with several air charter/van options for returning to Boise or Salmon are available for your traveling convenience. Prices and infomation are listed in rates and dates. Please note: During the month of August we take off the river at Mackay Bar with lunch provided on the 5th day. Either you arrange or have us arrange (through our extended transportation packages) for your air charter departure early that evening.

Main Salmon Itinerary

  • Day before launch: 6:00 p.m.
  • River orientation meeting at Idaho Adventures Headquarters, Salmon, Idaho
  • Morning of launch: 8:30 a.m.
  • Depart from Salmon for Corn Creek
  • Take-out day in June or July: Take out at Carey Creek about midday with lunch provided and depart Carey Creek around 1:30 p.m. Arrive in McCall approximately 4:00 p.m.
  • Take-out day in August: Take out at Mackay Bar in late afternoon with lunch provided and depart via air charter during early evening hours.

For Salmon River Short Journeys
Your journey begins and ends in beautiful Salmon, Idaho at the Idaho Adventures Headquarters. We will gather at 9:00 a.m. and first have an orientation meeting to instruct guests on river protocol, safety procedures and to distribute FREE Idaho Adventures personal drinking mugs before departing. You can expect to be returned to the Idaho Adventures Headquarters at approximately 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon (times may vary due to water levels). Transportation we provide: Round trip van or bus ride to and from river.

For Owyhee Canyonlands Journey
Your journey begins in Boise, Idaho – the “City of Trees”. At 7:00 p.m. the evening prior to your river launch, we will have an orientation meeting at a location to be announced to instruct guests on river protocol, safety procedures and to distribute your FREE Idaho Adventures duffle for re-packing your gear and a personal drinking mug.

Transportation we provide: Round trip van or bus ride to and from river.

What is included on my river journey?

  • Highly competent and darn friendly licensed guides
  • Ground transportation to and from the river
  • FREE Idaho Adventures duffle bag (for our 5 day guests )
  • FREE Idaho Adventures personal drinking mug (for guests floating 2+ days)
  • Waterproof river bag to store duffle of personal gear, small water proof day bag
  • Fresh, healthful, delicious meals beginning w/lunch the first day
  • Plenty of drinking water and ice, lemonade, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, dinner wine, limited supply of complimentary soda, fruit juice, and beer
  • Oar boats (guide rowing), paddle boats (you help paddle w/guide on board) and inflatable kayaks (water level permitting)
  • Coast Guard Approved life jackets, helmets for paddle teams and kayakers, 1st Aid Supplies
  • All camping equipment – tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, camp chairs

What is the weather and water like?
The Salmon River Canyon is normally arid and warm from late May to late September with average daytime temperatures ranging from the 70′s to 90′s. Nighttime temperatures are cooler but comfortable, from the low 50′s to high 60′s. Summer water temperatures range from the 60′s to 70′s, perfect for rafting and swimming. May or early June is when river levels generally peak, but the Salmon is fed by enough tributaries to maintain a robust flow of water all summer long – even in low water years.

You should bring….

  • Contagious enthusiasm for living every moment of your river journey
  • Good quality rain coat and rain pants (rentals available from Idaho Adventures with advance notice)
  • Wetsuit and booties for high water trips (rentals available from Idaho Adventures)
  • Polypro or fleece jacket
  • Swim suit
  • Sunglasses with strap
  • Sun hat with strap to secure against wind loss
  • 2 pair shorts, 2 short sleeve shirts,
  • River sandals or tennis shoes for rafting,
  • Hiking/walking shoes for in camp
  • 1 pair long pants, 1 lightweight long sleeve shirt
  • Socks, underwear
  • Personal toiletries including biodegradable soap
  • Small washcloth and towel
  • Sunscreen and sunscreen lip balm
  • Insect repellent Quart water bottle
  • Flashlight
  • Camera, film
  • Prescription drugs
  • Fishing license/fishing gear, rod in hard case for those on fishing trips

Optional items to bring….

  • Hard liquor, cocktail wine, additional beer or soda (no bottled beer, please)
  • Small pillow Small day or fanny pack for hiking
  • Journal
  • Binoculars

You should NOT bring….

  • Weapons
  • Boom boxes
  • Cell phones
  • Jewelry
  • Denim or heavy cottons for wearing on the water