Salmon River
Salmon River
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The "River of No Return" is the longest free-flowing river contained within one state of America's lower 48 states. This river begins South of Stanley, Idaho, through the towns of Clayton, Challis and Salmon before heading West through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The Designated Wild & Scenic section, from Corn Creek to Carey Creek is one of the world's best wilderness river trips.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
55 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
2
SoCalCliff
Santa Monica, CA20 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Canyons River Company is worth booking a year in advance.
Did a 6 day and 5 night trip with my 13 year old son on the main fork of the salmon in August 2022. Canyons crew engaged my son and the other kids as much as they did the awesome newly weds as well as the grandparents on the trip.
The river was awesome 1st week in August.
Canyons guides were caring, fun to pass the time with and kept us safe, well hydrated and happily fed.
What seems unique with this outfit is they alllowed us to paddle in a boat, paddle in an inflatable kayak ( a duckie) , use a real kayak or lounge on an oar boat while they did all the work.
Will be back with the rest of my family soon. Worth every dollar spent for this trip.
Did a 6 day and 5 night trip with my 13 year old son on the main fork of the salmon in August 2022. Canyons crew engaged my son and the other kids as much as they did the awesome newly weds as well as the grandparents on the trip.
The river was awesome 1st week in August.
Canyons guides were caring, fun to pass the time with and kept us safe, well hydrated and happily fed.
What seems unique with this outfit is they alllowed us to paddle in a boat, paddle in an inflatable kayak ( a duckie) , use a real kayak or lounge on an oar boat while they did all the work.
Will be back with the rest of my family soon. Worth every dollar spent for this trip.
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MFiello
Los Angeles, CA9 contributions
Aug 2020
I just spent 5 days on the Salmon River with Wayne Johnson and his tremendous crew. We stayed at various lodges along the way and were treated as honored guests. The food and drinks were fabulous! Besides the excitement of whitewater rafting, we enjoyed great wildlife viewing and stopped at several historical sites. Wayne is a great storyteller, and both he and his guides know well the flora and fauna found in the area. The best part of the trip was appreciating Wayne's vast knowledge of the history of the valley and his friendships with those who live year-round along the river. An absolutely delightful experience!
Written September 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PierreTraveler
Ellensburg, WA268 contributions
Idaho’s Salmon River is the longest undammed, free-flowing river contained in a single state in the lower 48 states of the USA. Much of the river flows through the 2.2 million acre River of No Return Wilderness Area. It’s possible to boat the main stem of the river as well as the Middle and South forks. Altogether, there are over 500 miles accessible to rafting, kayaking and canoeing and the river offers some of the best whitewater rafting opportunities in the world. The three most popular sections for rafting or kayaking trips on the Salmon River are the Middle Fork, the Main Salmon and the Lower Main Salmon. All three of these sections of the river offer superb wilderness river trip experiences. They can be done on your own if you have the proper experience and equipment, or local guides can be hired for a fully outfitted trip.
There are day trips on the Upper Salmon, offered near the town of Stanley, Idaho. Stanley is also the starting point for five and six-day trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Further downstream, near the town of Salmon, there are one and two day trips offered along a roaded section of the river. Salmon is also the base for longer trips on the Main Salmon River, a trip that covers some 80 miles going east towards the town of Riggins, Idaho. Riggins is another important base for one and two-day trips on the Salmon, also a section that has a road along it. Just 30 miles downstream from Riggins is the small town of Whitebird, and this is the starting point for a four or five-day trip on an unroaded section of the river called the Lower Salmon. It is even possible to stitch all three sections of river together - the Middle Fork, Main and Lower Salmon into an incredible 15-18 day river journey.
Professional guiding and outfitting companies are located in each of the towns mentioned above. A quick internet search for "rafting the salmon river" will also lead you to a number of qualified companies. Just be sure the company is permitted by the United States Forest Service and has an Idaho State license, as both are required.
There are day trips on the Upper Salmon, offered near the town of Stanley, Idaho. Stanley is also the starting point for five and six-day trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Further downstream, near the town of Salmon, there are one and two day trips offered along a roaded section of the river. Salmon is also the base for longer trips on the Main Salmon River, a trip that covers some 80 miles going east towards the town of Riggins, Idaho. Riggins is another important base for one and two-day trips on the Salmon, also a section that has a road along it. Just 30 miles downstream from Riggins is the small town of Whitebird, and this is the starting point for a four or five-day trip on an unroaded section of the river called the Lower Salmon. It is even possible to stitch all three sections of river together - the Middle Fork, Main and Lower Salmon into an incredible 15-18 day river journey.
Professional guiding and outfitting companies are located in each of the towns mentioned above. A quick internet search for "rafting the salmon river" will also lead you to a number of qualified companies. Just be sure the company is permitted by the United States Forest Service and has an Idaho State license, as both are required.
Written January 9, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
b M
Phoenix, AZ2 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
The Guide on my trip decided to play a game where everyone on the raft stands up while each person on the Raft would try to get up on the rim of the Raft and see if they could run all the way around the Raft without falling. WELL the first 12 yr. old made it. Then he tried to get someone else to do it. We all looked at each other, NO WAY. So the Guide said he would do it. As he got to the Bow of the boat he fell inward on top of everyone and I was the unlucky guy at the Stern. Well I then had 6 people piled on top of me. That was bad enough but my Calve was pined against the equipment box and with the weight of 6 people my Calve was severely injured. I asked the owner David to
pay the small medical bill of $202. He gave it to his Insurance Co. They denied the claim due to the WAVIER YOU SIGNED. I was not Sueing him I just thought a GOOD business owner would have taken care of it.
pay the small medical bill of $202. He gave it to his Insurance Co. They denied the claim due to the WAVIER YOU SIGNED. I was not Sueing him I just thought a GOOD business owner would have taken care of it.
Written September 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are four outfitters located on the Salmon River. All have great guides and saftey records. Check them out on Tripadvisor.com!
Written May 6, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bhrbabydoc
Naples, FL38 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
There is nothing more spectacular than Pristine Nature! Our 5 day rafting trip on the Main Salmon River in Idaho guided by Yellow Jacket River Guides was the perfect blend of excitement and wilderness camping with the security and safety offered by knowledgable and hard working young guides. Three delicious meals per day were cooked to order, and there were several short side attractions such as a natural hot spring "spa", a hike to historic Campbell's Ferry Homestead, and a visit to Buckskin Bill's Outpost to add to the enjoyment. Our group ranged in age from 7 years to 67 years - and a good time was had by all!
Written July 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeaTacFunTown
Boise, ID57 contributions
Jun 2011
I was in Sun Valley for the week with my wife and kids and had to think of something to do, I decided to go whitewater rafting with Whitecloud Rafting Adventures. I was a little nervous with the my kids with me, 7 and 10, Jeremy assured me that they would be safe and have a great time, he was right! They loved it, the guides were so nice and professional, they knew the river, how to run it and the history. I would go with Whitecould again and again. They were great! If you're in Sun Valley and have the time, get up to Stanley.
Written June 28, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kamaainakath
Lake Oswego10 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Our family (including two college students) took Wayne Johnson's trip down the Salmon River this summer. We have been to many epic places off the beaten path, and this adventure was truly amazing. The trip blended fast and quiet water, river history and geography, with hospitality and personal introductions to the incredible folks who have had a hand in homesteading in this remote and very special wilderness area. Wayne is the quintessential guide: knowledgeable, skilled and generous. His love of and abiding respect for the river is what made the trip. And we have come to love it too! I would highly recommend this outfitter.
Written December 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is not a page for Wayne and the Salmon River Rafting Company. Please post a review about rafting the Salmon River while visiting Sun Valley Idaho
Written May 6, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DS_NOLA
New Orleans, LA82 contributions
Mar 2014 • Family
I did the lodge trip with my extended family a while back, with the Salmon River Rafting Company and Wayne Johnson. My parents had been on three or four previous trips with Wayne on the Salmon River and the Snake River, and they wanted all the kids and grandkids to experience it.
The scenery is stunning, and the lodges are comfortable after a long day on the water -- especially if it's a chilly trip in early spring, like ours was. Apart from Africa, I don't think I've never been in a place so remote, with just a handful of old homesteads here and there as evidence of human activity. There are people living off the land, off the grid, as they did 100 years ago. With Wayne, you'll get to meet some of them, and you'll get to stay the night on their property.
Wayne knows every inch of the river and will be happy to tell you all about it, or he'll just guide the rafts and let the scenery do the talking. Either way, it's unforgettable.
The scenery is stunning, and the lodges are comfortable after a long day on the water -- especially if it's a chilly trip in early spring, like ours was. Apart from Africa, I don't think I've never been in a place so remote, with just a handful of old homesteads here and there as evidence of human activity. There are people living off the land, off the grid, as they did 100 years ago. With Wayne, you'll get to meet some of them, and you'll get to stay the night on their property.
Wayne knows every inch of the river and will be happy to tell you all about it, or he'll just guide the rafts and let the scenery do the talking. Either way, it's unforgettable.
Written November 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is not a page for Wayne and the Salmon River Rafting Company. Please post a review about rafting the Salmon River while visiting Sun Valley Idaho
Written May 6, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Icangoanytime
Austin, TX6 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
This was such a wonderful trip that we have taken it 5 times. Each one has been different in its own unique way. In Spring the water is higher and faster, summer warm and slower pace and Fall is peaceful and beautiful. All the lodges have been great and food is very good home cooking. We jokingly call this the bloat float!
Be assured this is no float trip! The Salmon River has some wicked rapids spread thru the 5 day trip. All are exhilarating. Wayne Johnson has run this river for many years and is truly a very expert guide. The people who have worked with him have all been competent and professional, nice, and interesting people.
I would highly recommend this trip with Wayne Johnson and Salmon River Rafting Company!
Be assured this is no float trip! The Salmon River has some wicked rapids spread thru the 5 day trip. All are exhilarating. Wayne Johnson has run this river for many years and is truly a very expert guide. The people who have worked with him have all been competent and professional, nice, and interesting people.
I would highly recommend this trip with Wayne Johnson and Salmon River Rafting Company!
Written November 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is not a page for Wayne and the Salmon River Rafting Company. Please post a review about rafting the Salmon River while visiting Sun Valley Idaho
Written May 6, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maxine A
Seattle2 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
We had a wonderful trip into this wilderness along the Salmon River, guided by Wayne Johnson and his Salmon River Rafting Company crew. We learned about Wayne and the SRRC from an Idaho Public TV program which gives a very detailed picture of this experience including what its like to be on the river and the wonderful personalities of those who have chosen to live and work in the valley of the Salmon.
http://video.idahoptv.org/video/2365055687/
We were especially entranced by how Wayne and others conveyed the history of this river community, and the heartiness required to make a go of it in all seasons. But also the sense of personal warmth and caring that is a part of this special community along the Salmon River.
The 'here and now' of being on the river, with the excitement of the rapids and the peacefulness of slow water amidst growing fellowship, the warm welcoming lodges at the end of the day and perhaps overarchingly the privilege of being in wilderness with all these basic human perks made this a truly transformative experience. We would recommend it highly, and envision returning several times ourselves.
http://video.idahoptv.org/video/2365055687/
We were especially entranced by how Wayne and others conveyed the history of this river community, and the heartiness required to make a go of it in all seasons. But also the sense of personal warmth and caring that is a part of this special community along the Salmon River.
The 'here and now' of being on the river, with the excitement of the rapids and the peacefulness of slow water amidst growing fellowship, the warm welcoming lodges at the end of the day and perhaps overarchingly the privilege of being in wilderness with all these basic human perks made this a truly transformative experience. We would recommend it highly, and envision returning several times ourselves.
Written September 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How did u get a hold of the company. I can’t find a website or anything. All i can find i already knew from the pbs show.
Written August 27, 2018
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