River Statistics
Photos
Licensed Outfitters
- Idaho Afloat / Adventures in Recreation LLC | 800 700-2414
- Action Whitewater Adventures / Idaho River Expeditions, Inc. | 801 375-4111
- Aggipah River Trips / Bernt, Bill | 208 756-4167
- American River Touring Association (ARTA) | 209 962-7873
- Arctic Creek Lodge & Tours Inc.
- Bitterroot Outfitters, LLC | 406 363-0403
- Canyons River Company | 208 634-4303
- Cascade Adventures | 208 336-3263
- Destination Wilderness of Idaho / River Time Guide Service, Inc. | 541 686-0164
- Exodus Wilderness Adventures, Inc. | 800 992-3484
- Holiday River Expeditions Of Idaho | 208 938-1518
- Idaho Adventures Inc. | 208 756-2986
- Idaho River Journeys / Idaho & Oregon River Journeys, LLC | 888 997-8399
- K-Bear River Adventures Inc | 208 263-0554
- Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures / Fairchild, Wayne F. | 406 728-7609
- Mackay Bar Guest Ranch, Inc. | 208 965-8355
- Mackay Wilderness River Trips, Inc. #1 | 800-635-5336
- Mackay Wilderness River Trips, Inc. #2 | 800-635-5336
- Middle Fork River Expeditions Inc
- National Outdoor Leadership School (Nols) | 208 354-8443
- North Fork Guides / Northwest River Expeditions, Inc. | 208 865-2478
- Oars Dories, Inc. | 208 743-4201
- Orange Torpedo Trips / Chipor Holdings, LLC | 914 656-0250
- Raft Moab Inc | 435-259-7515
- River Adventures / River Adventures, Inc. | 208 628-3952
- River Adventures Inc. #2
- River Of No Return Lodge Inc | 208-785-5555
- Salmon River Lodge, Inc. | 800 635-4717
- Salmon River Outfitters Inc. | 208 634-4492
- Salmon River Rafting Company Inc. | 307 734-6099
- Salmon River Tours Co. | 208 865-2375
- Sawtooth Adventure Company, LLC, #1 | 208 774-4644
- Shepp Ranch / Shepp Ranch Outfitters, LLC | 208 629-3453
- Silver Cloud Expeditions, Inc. | 208 756-6215
- Stub Creek, Inc. | 208 756-2622
- Tour West, Inc. | 801 225-0755
- Warren River Expeditions, Inc. | 208 756-6387
- Whitewater Expeditions / E & Z, Inc. | 208 382-4336
- Wilderness River Outfitters & Trail Expeditions, Inc. | 208 756-3959
- Yellow Jacket River Guides, Inc. | 877 954-3246
» General Shuttle Logistics
Put in: Corn Creek
Take Out: Vinegar Creek
Shuttle Length: 400 mi.
To reach the put-in from the town of Salmon, take U.S. 93 north for 16 miles to North Fork. Turn left at the North Fork store. The put-in is 4 miles down the road at Corn Creek.
The take-out is on the far side of the state, 24 miles upstream from Riggins (U.S. 95) at Vinegar Creek.
Camping: There is camping near the put-in at two Forest Service campgrounds upriver from the confluence with the Middle Fork. Near the take-out, there is camping at numerous Forest Service campgrounds along the river between Vinegar Creek and Riggins.
Permits: A permit is required to run the Salmon between June 20 and Sept. 8. Cancellations are often available for short-notice trips. To obtain a permit, call or write the North Fork Ranger Station, Box 840, North Fork, ID 83466, (208) 865-2383.
Additional Information: A detailed river map is available from the Forest Service. For a mile-by-mile description of running the Salmon, see John Garren's Idaho River Tours. For a historical account of the river, see Johnny Carrey's and Cort Conley's River of No Return.
*for private parties
For much of the 425 miles that the Salmon River traverses Idaho, settlement is evidenced by nearby small towns, roads and commerce. Northwest of the rural mountain community of Salmon along the Continental Divide, the river veers west, abruptly leaving civilization behind. It is this 85 roadless stretch, from Corn Creek to Vinegar Creek that is known as the Main Salmon, the “River of No Return”.
Here the Salmon churns through the second deepest canyon in America, sometimes dropping precipitously through famous rapids; sometimes peacefully meandering near historic places of early settlement. No river in America provides a glimpse of our past as stunningly as this section of the Salmon. We travel near reminders of Native American and early pioneer settlement. Abandoned homesteads, cabins and mines remain nearby.
The Main is a big river with exceptional flows all summer. The water is warmer than most mountain rivers and there are plenty of rapids of varying difficulty from splashy Class II runs to adrenaline pumping Class III drops at Bailey, Split Rock, Bid Mallard, and Elkhorn. Camping is exquisite, often on big sandy beaches or at campsites tucked in groves of Ponderosa Pine or Douglas Fir.
Outfitted trips on the Main Salmon are usually 5- 6 days although some shorter trips are available. Typically, a variety of boats are used, with most outfitters offering paddle and kayaking options.
For people looking for a river rich in history with a variety of boating, hiking, and relaxation opportunities, the Main Salmon is a wonderful choice. It is a favorite for family rafting vacations and the perfect river for multigenerational reunions. In most years, the best time for families to visit the Main is mid-June through August, although spring and fall trips are spectacular as well. Abundant wildlife and breathtaking granite canyon vistas are yours to enjoy year round.