Adventure begins here
Salmon River Raft Trip
Perfect for all ages and abilities, the classic five-day trip on the Main Salmon is a great all-round, multi-sport trip, with opportunities to raft, inflatable kayak, SUP, and hike while on the river. You will enjoy the Salmon River’s famous beaches, historic ranches, Native American history, natural hot springs, delicious food and comfortable camping.
Photo Gallery
Your Muli-Day River Rafting Itinerary
Salmon River Map
FAQs
Below, find the answers to frequently asked questions about Salmon River raft trips with Confluences River Expeditions. We hope this page will help you plan for your raft trip and help you know what to expect on Idaho’s Main Salmon. Our team is ready to answer any of your questions too!
FAQs
Questions about Packing
We will provide you with two dry bags for the duration of the trip (one large bag for your clothing, the sleeping bag we provide, and the items you don’t need during the day and one small bag that you can access while on the water for things like cameras, snacks, sunscreen, or an extra layer). We recommend you use ziploc bags inside those bags to ensure items are waterproof.
Use soft duffels to pack your personal clothes in. Include several plastic bags to store wet items in your bag on the river. Black “contractor” bags are handy for this. Note that you will be allowed 1 checked bag weighing up to 35lbs on the backcountry flight.
Cotton does not keep you warm when wet! Do not plan to wear cotton on the river unless it is to keep you cool on a very hot day. Pack quick dry (non-cotton) shorts and shirts.
Sun hats, sunscreen and sunglasses are a must! Be sure to put your sunscreen in a ziplock so it doesn’t accidentally get on your other items.
Bug spray is recommended at a couple of camps on the river. Be sure to put your bug spray in a ziplock.
Yes, you can download it here.
Questions about Food
We serve three delicious meals per day, plus an appetizer before dinner. We specialize in Dutch oven cooking and are proud of the signature dishes we serve. Fresh fruit and veggies are included in every meal. Here are some examples of meals: Breakfast of stuffed French toast with bacon, lunch of taco salad, fruit and cookies, followed by a dinner of grilled salmon with salad.
With advance notice, we can support most dietary preferences. Make sure to indicate your preferences during the registration process, and check in with your trip leader during the pre-trip orientation meeting. In extreme cases, we may ask you to bring supplementary snacks.
Fresh water is always available. Juice, coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate are served at breakfast. Lemonade is always available at camp. Craft beer and wine are served with dinner. Two complimentary canned beverages per person, per day are provided. If you like something special, please bring it. We always have ice for cocktails.
You are welcome to bring additional canned beverages, wine, liquor or canned beer. We can store them in the dry boxes and coolers on the boats.
Questions about Camping
The Main Salmon River is famous for its beautiful beaches. The entire group arrives to camp together and works as a team to unload the gear from the boats. After learning how to do so, guests set up their tents. A common eating area is set up near the kitchen, where guides will prepare all meals.
We provide one tent for every two people from the same group. If you are traveling solo, or prefer to pay to have your own tent, we will provide an individual tent. Make sure to select that option in the registration process.
We will provide comfortable camp chairs, camp games (such as bocce ball), and a fire pan for evening campfires. Many camps have great trees for hammocks, if you’d like to bring a Eno-style camp hammock.
Questions about Hygiene
We recommend that you bring baby wipes for quick cleanup jobs. Sponge baths are easy and make you feel like a million bucks! The guides will show you how to use a bucket of water above the high water mark to wash and shampoo. You can also bring your own solar shower. Bandanas make great washcloths!
Bring items that don’t require a lot of space and are quick to use, packing them in ziplocks. For swimsuits, a sports type two-piece works well and is convenient. Female guides often use a sports bra coupled with quick dry shorts. The guide crew can offer simple tips for disposal of feminine hygiene products. Having a few extra ziplock bags is a great idea. As the environment can dry out skin, we recommend that you make sure you bring moisturizing lotion.
As part of our wilderness ethic, we “Pack it in, pack it out!” We pack out all solid waste. Toilets are portable, heavy duty metal containers fitted with a toilet seat when set up at camp. Toilets are only used for solid waste. Guests urinate in the river or above the high water mark. Our guides will show you the best spots. Toilets are set up in a secluded and scenic spot away from eating and sleeping areas. You can enjoy a beautiful view! A custom hand wash system with soap is set up on the trail to the toilet area. A paddle is placed near the hand wash area as a signal. The paddle is taken to the toilet so that others know when the toilet is occupied. The paddle is returned to the hand wash area afterwards to signal the toilet is available for use.
Confluences River Expeditions has offered world-class Idaho rafting trips on the gorgeous River of No Return since 1982. We give personal service from the first phone call to the last rapid. Book your unforgettable Main Salmon River adventure today!