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Rafting the Middle Fork of the Salmon River with MT Sobek: Know Before You Go

By: Grace Park

Grace Park is Mountain Travel Sobek's Marketing Coordinator. Her recent travels have taken her to Korea, Israel and Cambodia, where she helped teach Cambodian high school students as part of an international mission. Grace enjoys drinking boba & coffee, eating good food, hosting people at her home, playing board games, and trying out new cafes!

Types of Trips

We offer two Middle Salmon river trip options – a 100-mile adventure (great for June and July departures, when water levels are higher), and a 75-mile trip (for lower water levels, starting at Mile 25.)

Both multiday trips bound downriver through hundreds of rapids, traversing the spectacular red-granite Impassable Canyon toward the gorgeous confluence of the Middle Fork and Main Salmon River. We’ll pull out of the river at Cache Bar for a well-earned post-trip hurrah.

group of rafters rafting whitewater rapids at Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the summertime in Idaho, North America

Arriving on Site

Depending on which trip you pick, you’ll arrive either in Boise, ID (for 100-mile rafting trips) or Salmon, ID (for our 75-mile outing.)

Boise arrivals then hop a plane to Stanley, ID, by the Salmon River at the base of the spectacular Sawtooth Mountains. After an orientation and dinner, you’ll head to your hotel to pack waterproof gear bags (provided by MT Sobek.) You’ll bus to Boundary Creek early the next morning with your river guides to set off riding the rapids.

Guests arriving in Salmon also meet for orientation, dinner, and water bag distribution before flying into the wilderness the next morning to board their boats and begin the adventure.

rafting guides and staff greeting group of travelers who are on a rafting trip to Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River in North America

A Typical Day on the River

You can expect about 6 hours and 15 miles of river rafting per day during your trip.

A typical day on the Middle Fork starts with fresh, hot coffee prepared by your river guides, who rise at dawn to make breakfast. Savor an early morning cup or sleep until the breakfast call. After eating, guests gather their personal gear as guides pack up camp and strap gear to boats. The group chooses who rides an oar boat or inflatable kayak and sets out for the day.

Depending on where you camped, you’ll either start with a gentle float or head smack into a series of fun rapids. Each day offers plenty of time to stop and rest or explore historic or natural sites along the river corridor.

floating or rafting lazily on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, North America

After a hearty lunch break, it’s back into the rafts for afternoon river action until you pull into your next camp. Evening means snacks, drinks, and a full dinner cooked by your river guides, followed by games and laughs before tucking into your tents at night.

grilling meat during a daytime meal time with group at the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, North America

Other Activities

There’s plenty else to do on our river trips. Hikers can opt for short strolls along the riverbank, checking out Shoshone pictographs or remnants of old forgotten mines. Or take longer walks up canyon walls for epic viewpoints, spotting wildlife from bighorn sheep to bald eagles.

group of men standing around in the sun on bridge near Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River in North America

You can hop out of your rafts at certain stretches of river for a refreshing swim or try catch-and-release fly-fishing. Cast your line for native cutthroat and rainbow trout, maybe even the elusive steelhead, all thriving in the pristine river waters.

dipping feet in water of Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, North America, in the summer

If you’d rather relax, beaches await for soaking up the rays with a good book; hot springs dot the shoreline for muscle-soothing dips.

Campsite Life

When you pull into camp at the end of your day, a whole different type of fun awaits. First and foremost, delicious food. We pride ourselves on our gourmet culinary offerings, prepared and cooked by our guides over open flames or in a Dutch oven, and showcasing local flavors. Whether you’re vegetarian, gluten-free, a picky eater or downright starving, we have you (and your appetite) covered.

campground at Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, North America, in the daytime

Plus we have plenty of fun, nutritious snacks available all throughout the day, from dried fruit to beef jerky, trail mixes to salty snacks.

Camping on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River is spectacular. Each night, your group will be at a designated campsite right by the water’s edge. No other groups will be there. From stargazing to storytelling, you’ll connect and reflect on the day with your crew.

MT Sobek’s camp setup includes roomy dome tents, thick sleeping pads, and freshly laundered sleeping bags. We’ll put up and take down tents for you. Many camps are set on beautiful sandy bars, some have onsite hot springs, others are surrounded by pine and fir trees. Each night is different and unique! There are no bad spots for camping by the river.

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Whether you’ve booked your trip already or still have questions about packing or anything else, we’re here to help! Check out our trips on our MT Sobek website and we’d be happy to help set you on your path to a memorable adventure.

Jay Cooke writes about travel, healthcare, sustainability, and technology. He’s based in Northern California.