Idaho Middle Fork of the Salmon River 75-Mile Rafting Tour
Epic Rapids, Historic Trails & Comfortable Camping
- Available: August
- Activity: Level 2
- Accommodations: Comfortable Camping, Comfortable Hotels
10% savings for kids aged 17 and under on select dates!
MT Sobek has been running this expert-led trip for more than 20 years and is an equal opportunity employer, operating under a special use permit within the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Highlights
- Have a blast on one of National Geographic's top-rated whitewater rafting trips, deep in the heart of Idaho's Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness
- Paddle or float to suit your activity level and choose a new experience every day-this trip is great for all ages and all activity levels; it is like summer camp for the whole family!
- Compare the value! We offer the most inclusive Middle Fork trips, with all your travel arrangements, transportation and lodging, carefully orchestrated for a worry-free vacation.
Itinerary
Arrive in Salmon, Idaho
Day 1
Arrive in Salmon Idaho, Idaho by 5:00 pm today and check in to the Stagecoach Inn. Meet your guides on the back lawn of the Stagecoach Inn for a 6:00 pm welcome orientation meeting followed by a casual picnic dinner. Head back to your hotel to pack up your provided waterproof river bags for the early start the next morning.Accommodation: Stagecoach Inn
Meals: Dinner
Fly to the Put-in at Indian Creek
Day 2
Ride the bus to the Salmon Airport where you'll board a flight into the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Make a stop at the Indian Creek Guard Station to learn a bit about the history of the area, and then it is time to board the boats and traverse Pongo rapid! Tonight you pull in to our first camp knowing you have made it into the wilderness. Your riverside camps are thoughtfully appointed for relaxation, recreation, and comfortable slumber. Dine on a chef-designed menu prepared by your guides before gathering around the fire to get to know your trip mates.Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
Activity: 6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Transportation: 40-minute flight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hot Springs and Exploration
Day 3
While the Middle Fork is famous for non-stop rapids, this is typically the calmest stretch of the river, with many opportunities to play, fish, hike or swim. Relax in a hot spring and keep an eye out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep. We will be in and out of the rafts all day as we make steady progress downstream. Once oriented to the river, reading water, paddle techniques, and water level permitting, inflatable "ducky" kayaks are available for thrill-seekers looking to paddle through the rapids on their own (available on low-water trips only).Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
Activity: 6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Pictographs and Play!
Day 4
Sip a hot drink as the sun begins to peek over the canyon walls and camp comes alive. Refuel with a hearty breakfast and appreciate where you are, the wildest, healthiest and most pristine river system in the Lower 48 and one of the world's most important strongholds for salmon and steelhead fish. We'll continue to splash our way downstream, then after lunch, take a short hike to one of the cliffs along the river that showcases Sheepeater pictographs. Learn the history of these ancient people and wonder at what life was like here so long ago. This evening we arrive at another idyllic riverside campsite.Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
Activity: 6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride the River to Tappan Falls
Day 5
The 15-20 miles you travel today offer some of the Middle Fork's most thrilling rapids, including Tappan I, Tappan Falls, New Tappan, and Aparajo. Look for bighorn sheep grazing along the shore as you paddle by, as well as bald eagles, osprey, herons, river otters, and black bears. You can also see shallow circular depressions in the ground on the riverbanks: the sites of Sheepeater pit dwellings. In the afternoon, pass by Kaufman's Cave, where the Scottish prospector Clarence Kaufman lived for four years.Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
Activity: 6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Coast into the Impassable Canyon
Day 6
Today brings you into the Impassable Canyon, home to truly spectacular scenery: reddish-gray granite cliffs looming over the water, and sharp rock strata folds-the striking evidence of the canyon's geologically tumultuous past. Get ready to experience some serious whitewater through Driftwood, Haystack, Bernard Creek, Earthquake Jack Creek, and Goalpost rapids. After lunch, make the steep hike to Veil Falls, then back on the river, pass through Weber, Redside and Cliffside rapids and view the 1900s homestead of Earl Parrot. Back at camp, enjoy a special last-night dinner.Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
Activity: 6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Celebrate in Salmon
Day 7
We cap off our adventure by rafting 10 miles of the biggest rapids of the trip: Foreplay, Rubber, Rubber II, and Hancock. After a thrilling morning, reach the confluence of the Middle Fork and the Main Salmon River. Leave your boats behind and board a bus to Salmon for a late-afternoon arrival at the Stagecoach Inn. Enjoy a hot shower, attend a post trip toast and celebration on the back lawn of the hotel, and then the opportunity to dine out and explore Salmon on your own this evening.Accommodation: Stagecoach Inn
Activity: 6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Transportation: 2-3-hour bus transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Depart from Salmon, Idaho
Day 8
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and depart at your leisure.Meals: Breakfast
Why Travel With Us?
- MT Sobek has been operating trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River since 2007 and Sobek has been a pioneering rafting company for more than 50 years. Join us on one of the world's greatest river trips!
- Professional river guides are certified in Leave No Trace principles to maintain a pristine environment and will wow you with their wilderness cooking skills.
- Compare the value! We offer the most inclusive Middle Fork trips, with all your travel arrangements, transportation, and lodging, carefully orchestrated for a worry-free vacation.
Know Before You Book
Itinerary
While this itinerary offers a general overview of your rafting trip, each adventure is unique. Water levels and campsite assignments from the U.S. Forest Service can change weekly, which may impact the daily schedule. Think of this itinerary as a helpful snapshot, not a fixed plan.
Accommodations
The small-town rural Idaho accommodations on this trip provide great access to the river but are simpler compared to what you'll find on many MT Sobek trips—rooms and amenities are more basic, though Wi-Fi is available. On the river, your dome-style tent—large enough to stand up in—will be set up in a scenic location with everything you need for a good night's sleep, and outstanding meals will be prepared by your guides.
Dates & Prices
- 2025
- 2026
- Go Private
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
2025
Scheduled Dates
Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
- Family Friendly Departure! Min. Age 7$3,769 price per person dbl occ
Which Includes:$250 internal airfare (salmon to river put-in)$24 Park FeeOptional:+$275 Single OccupancySpecial Details
10% Savings for Kids Aged 17 and Under
AvailableConfirmed - Family Friendly Departure! Min. Age 7$3,769 price per person dbl occ
Which Includes:$250 internal airfare (salmon to river put-in)$24 Park FeeOptional:+$275 Single OccupancySpecial Details
Available for private charters of 6+ guests
Check Availability - Family Friendly Departure! Min. Age 7$3,769 price per person dbl occ
Which Includes:$250 internal airfare (salmon to river put-in)$24 Park FeeOptional:+$275 Single OccupancySpecial Details
Available for private charters of 6+ guests
Check Availability
Interested in rafting the Middle Fork in June or July?
Idaho Middle Fork of the Salmon River 100-Mile Rafting
2026
Scheduled Dates
Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
- Family Friendly Departure! Min. Age 7$3,745 price per person dbl occ
Which Includes:$250 internal airfareOptional:+$250 Single OccupancySpecial Details
10% Savings for Kids Aged 17 and Under
Available - Family Friendly Departure! Min. Age 7$3,745 price per person dbl occ
Which Includes:$250 internal airfareOptional:+$250 Single OccupancySpecial Details
10% Savings for Kids Aged 17 and Under
Available - Family Friendly Departure! Min. Age 7$3,745 price per person dbl occ
Which Includes:$250 internal airfareOptional:+$250 Single OccupancySpecial Details
10% Savings for Kids Aged 17 and Under
Available
Interested in rafting the Middle Fork in June or July?
Idaho Middle Fork of the Salmon River 100-Mile Rafting
Go Private
Go Private with MT Sobek
Gather your favorite travel companions—family, friends, colleagues, or club—and enjoy an exclusive departure that’s easy to book and completely unforgettable.
Private Trip RequestPrivate Trip Requirements
A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your private departure.
Minimum age for guests on this trip is 7 years old.
Choose Your Own Travel Dates
August
Private Trip Pricing: 2025
15 guests from $3,969 per person double occupancy
14 guests from $4,169 per person double occupancy
13 guests from $4,469 per person double occupancy
12 guests from $4,769 per person double occupancy
11 guests from $4,969 per person double occupancy
10 guests from $5,269 per person double occupancy
Included Costs:
Internal Airfare (Salmon to River Put-in): $250
Park Fee: $24
*Seasonal rates may apply.
*Trip pricing on the website is provided as an estimate and is subject to change based on rates at the time of request and seasonality.
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Bridger B.
Bridger grew up in Salmon, Idaho, along the banks of the Salmon River. He guided his first multi-day rafting trip at just 15 and has been on the water ever since. Since that first trip, he’s guided rivers from the Tatshenshini in Alaska and Canada to the Rio Grande through Big Bend National Park on the Texas-Mexico border. Bridger has been certified as a Wilderness First Responder and Swiftwater Rescue Technician for the past six years, and he plans to continue expanding his skills in emergency medicine and technical outdoor training. Today, he still calls Salmon home and he proudly holds the title as the worst player on the local beer league hockey team.
Andrew P.
Andrew grew up in Western Colorado with a twin brother, two younger sisters, and parents who all enjoyed camping and exploring the mountains and river valleys of the west. His parents instilled a curiosity and respect about the natural world in him, and an expectation of high academic achievement. After completing his degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Colorado Boulder, he found his awe of the natural world was what led him forward and began guiding rafting and teaching skiing in 2013. His explorations have taken him to the top of Denali, the rocky crags of Spain, glacial valleys in the French Alps, and rafting as many rivers as possible.
Dominic H.
Dominic is a man of many interests, not the least of which is guiding river trips! He believes nature has a way of healing people and wishes to share the wilderness experience with everyone he meets. He has been guiding on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River since 2021 and looks forward to many more years on the water. When he’s not sharing his love of nature on the river, he is studying literature and philosophy or producing music. Experience Dominic’s positive attitude on our Idaho rafting trips.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 2. Previous rafting experience is not necessary. However, you need to be in good physical condition. Since we are in a remote wilderness location. Each day, loading and unloading into the raft can be on sandy beaches or uneven rocky shores. It is a necessity that all travelers are stable and sturdy on their feet in uneven terrain.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Day 3
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Day 4
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Day 5
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Day 6
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Day 7
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
A comfortable hotel in Salmon, followed by MT Sobek's deluxe riverside camps, with meals served around the campfire beneath the stars.
MT Sobek Camp-Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
Stagecoach Inn
Weather
Summer daytime temperatures range between 60-90°F, and evenings between 40-60°F. June trips are cooler. Salmon River water temperatures average 58-65°F.
FAQs
Where do I meet the group on the first day?
Do I need to have prior rafting experience to raft the Middle Fork of the Salmon River?
What is the maximum group size on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River?
Is this Middle Fork of the Salmon River rafting trip good for families?
Scenic Beauty: The Middle Fork of the Salmon flows through the heart of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, offering breathtaking scenery characterized by towering cliffs, lush forests, and crystal-clear waters. Families can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and create lasting memories together.
Mild Rapids: While the Middle Fork features thrilling rapids, they are generally of moderate difficulty, making it suitable for families with children. Experienced guides navigate the river safely, ensuring an exciting yet manageable adventure for everyone on board.
Adventure for All Ages: From children (7+) to grandparents, the Middle Fork provides opportunities for every family member to participate in the adventure. Whether it's paddling through rapids, swimming in calm stretches, or exploring scenic hikes along the riverbanks, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Educational Opportunities: Rafting the Middle Fork offers valuable educational experiences for children, allowing them to learn about river ecosystems, wildlife, and local history from knowledgeable guides. It's a hands-on learning adventure that fosters curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.
Quality Time Together: Rafting trips on the Middle Fork provide uninterrupted quality time for families to unplug and reconnect without the distractions of daily life.
Professional Guidance & Safety: Professional rafting outfitters on the Middle Fork prioritize safety above all else, ensuring that families can enjoy their adventure with peace of mind. Experienced guides provide thorough safety briefings, instruction on rafting techniques, and are equipped with necessary safety gear to handle any situation that may arise.