Idaho Middle Fork of the Salmon River Rafting Tour

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.

Your Guides

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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.

Kevin McDermott

Kevin McDermott-a.k.a. "Thirsty"-has been guiding since he was 17 years old and has been an integral part of MT Sobek's Arctic rivers program for decades. His laid-back manner puts everyone at ease, and he has a wealth of knowledge about Arctic rivers. Although he normally spends his winter months in Colorado's Telluride ski area, he has climbed Denali three times, reaching the summit in 2000. Thirsty is a legend in the MT Sobek circle and endears himself to travelers with his expertise, calm demeanor, and sense of humor.

Andy Ambelang

Andy was born and raised in the great outdoors of Montana. At the young age of 15, he launched his first trip down the Salmon River in Idaho and has never looked back! He spends his summers guiding down the Salmon before heading over to the Colorado River in springtime and fall to guide through the Grand Canyon. Internationally, he has led trips in Nepal, Ethiopia's Blue Nile River, and Madagascar's Mania River. In the off season, Andy works as a ski patroller at Montana Snowbowl and skis with his dog Dani every chance he can get.

Mandela Van Eeden

Mandela was raised on a nature reserve at the southernmost point of South Africa, and in the mountains and open plains of Montana. Over her 15-year career as a full-time professional river guide, she has led trips in Montana, Idaho, New Zealand, Morocco, the Grand Canyon and Southern Africa. Mandela also works for the National Wildlife Federation to bring awareness to wildlife conservation, protect public lands, and drive clean water acts. Through films, creative storytelling, and her podcast “The Trail Less Traveled,” Mandela brings the many wonders of the outdoors to life.

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Arrive in the quaint mountain town of Stanley, Idaho by 4pm today. Stanley is located 2 hours north of Sun Valley and 3 hours east of Boise, and is spectacularly set along the banks of the Salmon River at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains. Meet your guides on the back lawn of the Mountain Village Resort for a 6pm welcome orientation meeting followed by a casual picnic dinner. Back to your hotel to pack up your provided waterproof river bags for the early start the next morning.
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                    [Headline] => Journey to the Put-in at Boundary Creek
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 hours/15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids 
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Ride the bus to Boundary Creek in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and meet your team of river guides. Under their expert captainship you\'ll climb aboard the oar boat or raft, and set off to encounter the first of the Middle Fork\'s rapids: Sulphur Slide, Velvet Falls, the Chutes, and Powerhouse.

In late afternoon, arrive at one of the Middle Fork\'s beautiful campgrounds with breathtaking views, natural hot springs, or trails to explore. Every night, you\'ll enjoy appetizers and a delicious meal prepared by the guides, followed by hot drinks and a campfire.

NOTE: Depending on water levels, extreme high or low water levels may require that we change the put-in location from Boundary Creek to Indian Creek, located 26 miles further down the river. The Indian Creek put-in is accessible only by air. Therefore, in the event that we need to put in at Indian Creek, MT Sobek will arrange internal flights from Stanley to the Indian Creek Airstrip on day-2, for an additional fee. High water can typically occur in early to mid-June, while low water can occur at any point in July or August.
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                    [Headline] => Get Started with Pistol Creek Rapid
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After breakfast, Class III rapid Pistol Creek provides an exciting jump-start to the day. After lunch, water permitting, inflatable "ducky" kayaks are available for thrill-seekers looking to paddle through the rapids on their own (available on all low-water trips)
Make a stop at the Indian Creek Guard Station on the river\'s left bank to learn a bit about the history of the area, then it\'s back into the boats to traverse Pongo rapid and coast into camp around 5pm. You\'ve traveled about 15 miles downriver today.
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                    [Headline] => Explore Sunflower/Loon Creek Hot Springs 
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Marble Falls and Ski Jump rapids start off the day. The calm water that follows makes this a good day to fly-fish or take a refreshing swim. You may also stop at the hot springs at Sunflower or Loon Creek for a relaxing soak while keeping an eye out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep.
After lunch, take a short hike to one of the cliffs along the river that bear Sheepeater pictographs. Enjoy few a more rapids before pulling into camp after about 15 miles on the river.
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                    [Headline] => Ride the River to Tappan Falls 
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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.
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                    [Headline] => Coast into the Impassable Canyon
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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 with champagne.
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                    [Headline] => Depart From Salmon, Idaho
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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. If you opted to drive to Stanley at the start of the trip, your car and keys will be waiting at the hotel in Salmon. A shuttle service will provide transfers to the local regional airport for any scheduled flights back to Boise. Salmon is also 3 hours west of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks if you are looking to extend your adventure in the region.
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Accommodations

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A comfortable hotel in Stanley, followed by MT Sobek\'s deluxe riverside camps, with meals served around the campfire beneath the stars.

Mountain Village Hotel

Comfortable Hotel

Begin your Middle Fork adventure in Stanley's Mountain Village Lodge, shadowed by the jagged teeth of the Sawtooth Mountain Range on the Salmon River. The comfortable guest rooms are well-appointed with modern amenities, fitting a mountain inn. You can also enjoy a cold beer at the Mountain Village Saloon with your fellow adventurers.

MT Sobek Camp-Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho

Comfortable Camping

Your Middle Fork camping experience includes five nights on the banks of Idaho's Salmon River, with full porterage and set up. Our dome-style tents are large enough to stand in, and include sleeping pads, and professionally laundered sleeping bags. You can even take a sun-heated shower after a day on the water. All camping spots are on beautiful beaches or plateaus next to the river, with fantastic views every day.

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