Main Salmon Rafting
A journey through the largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states on a river with a timelessness and mountain grandeur that is matched by few. It is a trip of a lifetime—one of the world’s premier wilderness trips.
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Trip Highlights
- A small company committed to amazing trips & our wild places
- Safety: All our guides have a minimum 8 years of experience leading trips around the world.
- Excellent meals featuring local and organic produce & products
- All inclusive – all camping gear included if needed (ultra-comfortable 3” sleeping pads).
- Most importantly – we are friendly, we love what we do, and it shows!
About this trip
Main Salmon Rafting
Idaho’s Salmon River, aka the legendary River of No Return, is big, wild, and wildly fun. Carving the second-deepest canyon in North America through the largest wilderness in the Lower 48, this free-flowing, undammed river delivers 85 miles of pure mountain magic. Think towering peaks, endless sandy beaches, warm summer days, and a sense of timeless wilderness you just don’t find anymore.
The Salmon is a rare combo: epic yet easygoing. Big, splashy wave trains give way to calm green pools, perfect for swimming, floating, or hopping into an inflatable kayak or SUP. Days stretch long, nights are cool and star-filled, and side hikes, hot springs, and world-class trout fishing add to the adventure. Wildlife is everywhere bighorn sheep, black bears, bald eagles and the beach camping is some of the best anywhere.
This is a true multi-sport wilderness vacation. Raft hard or relax, paddle your own boat, hike high, fish deep, or do absolutely nothing at all. Groups often split up during the day and reunite at camp for cold drinks, great food, and stories around the fire.
Run in Momentum’s signature style, our Salmon trips pair unforgettable wilderness with exceptional comfort, creative meals, and an experienced, fun loving guide team. Perfect for families, first-timers, seasoned paddlers, and multi-generation crews alike, the Salmon is one of those trips that somehow feels both adventurous and luxurious.
Itinerary
What to expect
Days 1–2: Take Flight & Drop Into the Wild
The adventure kicks off in Boise, where you board a scenic bush flight over the Idaho Rockies to the town of Salmon. After a classic road-trip stop at the North Fork Store, you roll into Corn Creek, meet the full crew, rig boats, and push off into the legendary Salmon River deep in the largest wilderness in the Lower 48. The first float sets the tone: big canyon walls, wildlife sightings, splashy warm-up rapids, and your first night camping on a huge sandy beach under the stars.
Days 3–5: River Days, Beach Nights
This is Salmon River living at its finest. Mornings start slow with hot coffee and canyon light, followed by fun, roller-coaster rapids, calm green pools, and endless options. Swim, fish, hike high into side canyons, soak in natural hot springs, or paddle your own inflatable kayak or SUP. Afternoons fade into long beach evenings, great meals, campfires, and stories under a sky full of stars. Every day is different, and the pace is perfectly relaxed.
Day 6: One Last Splash
You savor one final morning on the river, running one of the trip’s biggest rapids before reaching the take-out around lunchtime. From there, it’s a scenic drive back toward civilization with a stop in the mountain town of McCall, arriving in Boise by evening sun-kissed, relaxed, and already planning your next river trip.
Lodging
Where you'll stay
Wake up to the sound of a fish jumping in the river. A guide taps your tent – she has a mug of fresh coffee for you. Your toes squeak through the chilly sand of the beach on your way to the river’s edge. Set your coffee on a rock and splash fresh water on your face. You’re awake. You’re here. Who knows what day it is…
Your river guides are joking with each other, sipping hot beverages, cracking eggs and slicing strawberries. The sky is brilliant – a color you haven’t seen for a long time. The canyon walls are majestic but familiar: they’ve been your home for the last two days. An eagle silently soars overhead, waking up with the rising sunlight. You’re awake. You’re here. Who knows what day it is…
At the time you’d normally be cracking open your laptop and checking email, you’re headed down the slope of a wave hearing the rush of the wilderness all around you. Hoots and hollers slide up the river walls from the boats below. You dig your paddle into the water and your body awakens, not because you’re exercising, but because it has to. You have a boat to get down the river.
Your arms are tired and your hair is a mess. You’re awake. You’re here. Who knows what day it is…
There is something very unique about a river trip – besides leaving your phone and the internet behind – there is a unique feeling to being led through nature by nature itself. The river supplies the direction, the views, the action, and the speed and rhythm of your days,
For most of our trips you do not need to be an experienced adventurer, an athlete, or even to have ever touched a paddle or spent a night under the stars. Our trips are designed for those who like or want to be introduced to the outdoors and our goal is to make these places we love accessible to everyone.
Guests are surprised by the quality of the food, the overall comfort, and the many intangibles that characterize extended time on the river. We are extremely proud of our comfortable camping in wilderness places. The camping is deluxe, the food is excellent and served in a dining room where the sky is the ceiling, and you can leave everything to us – the planning, the cooking, the cleaning, and even the gear. Just bring your toothbrush and your sense of adventure
Dates & Pricing
Plan your trip
Dates
2026
June 12-17
June 20-25
June 28-July 3
July 6-11
July 22-27
July 30-August 4
August 7-12
August 15-20
August 23-28
August 31-September 1
September 8-13*
*Fall on the Salmon pricing: Regular – $2,790/$2,511 (youth), Driving – $2,590/$2,331 (youth)
2027
June 4-9
June 12-17
June 20-25
June 28-July 3
July 6-11
July 22-27
July 30-August 4
August 7-12
August 15-20
August 23-28
August 31-September 5*
September 8-13*
*Fall on the Salmon pricing: Regular – $2,790/$2,511 (youth), Driving – $2,590/$2,331 (youth)
Pricing
2026
6-day Trip (Our standard itinerary – meets and ends in Boise): $2,950 / $2,665 (Youth)
(This price includes ALL transportation from and back to Boise – including a spectacular scenic small plane flight)
Driving Option 6-Day Trip (no transportation/flight package): $2,650 / $2,385 (Youth)
(Meet in Salmon, Idaho and end in McCall, Idaho. This is the itinerary offered by most outfitters and only includes transportation from Salmon to the River and from the river to McCall – we will help you to set up a shuttle for your vehicle. See the Getting Here and Away section for more detail)
2027
6-day Trip (Our standard itinerary – meets and ends in Boise): $2,990 / $2,691 (Youth)
(This price includes ALL transportation from and back to Boise – including a spectacular scenic small plane flight)
Driving Option 6-Day Trip (no transportation/flight package): $2,690 / $2,421 (Youth)
(Meet in Salmon, Idaho and end in McCall, Idaho. This is the itinerary offered by most outfitters and only includes transportation from Salmon to the River and from the river to McCall – we will help you to set up a shuttle for your vehicle. See the Getting Here and Away section for more detail)
Trips Include:
• Transportation to and from Boise Idaho including a scenic small plane flights to Salmon Idaho. (Unless the driving option is chosen).
• All river equipment.
• All camping gear (including ultra-comfortable 3″ sleeping pads) if needed.
• Gourmet 3 course meals featuring local and organic produce & products. Find out more >>
• World-Class guides with a minimum 5 years experience leading trips around the globe. Find out more >>
• A trip down one of the world’s premier wilderness rivers.
Please note:
The number of visitors allowed each year is extremely regulated. Because of this dates tend to fill up very quickly.
– Discounts for groups of 12+ people
– Additional Costs: $4 per day Recreation Enhancement Act Fee.
Build Your Own Trip – Private, custom, and charter trips available! Call for more information!
Getting There and Away
The Main Salmon cuts through a vast wilderness area (the largest in the lower 48) so transportation logistics can be challenging. The beginning of the trip is near Salmon Idaho and the end is near Riggins Idaho and there is no “direct” route between the two. However, we have made it very convenient by starting and ending the trip in Boise, Idaho. Boise is a small city at the base of the foothills with easy access by either the Boise Airport or interstate 84.
Standard Trip Options:
The easiest (and usually the least expensive) thing to do is let us handle the transportation details and begin and end your trip in Boise. We will arrange a small plane flight over the Idaho Rockies (beautiful!) on the morning of your trip to the small town of Salmon. There you will meet the trip leader and head to the river. On the last day we will transport you back to Boise around 7pm. It is very simple and the flight is spectacular. We recommend this option for most people.
The Regular price includes all transportation to and from Boise including the flight.
Driving Option:
If you are on a road trip you may want to consider meeting us in Salmon Idaho instead. We will help you arrange to shuttle your car to McCall Idaho. The shuttle cost including gas is generally $350 to $400 per vehicle. At the end of the trip we will drop you off at your car in McCall.
The driving option includes transportation from Salmon Idaho at the beginning of the trip and to McCall Idaho at the end. It does not include your vehicle shuttle.
Please give us a call if you have any questions about transportation. We will send you very detailed travel options with your confirmation pack.
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