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The MIddle Fork of the Salmon

The crown jewel of the Wild and Scenic Rivers’ System and the most pristine free flowing river in the lower 48 states, your adventure through Idaho’s River of No Return Wilderness on your Middle Fork of the Salmon River is a click away.

A whitewater rafting vacation in Idaho is an experience you’ll never forget! We offer weeklong rafting trips on Idaho’s famed Middle Fork of the Salmon. This spectacular wilderness white water river is the Salmon River’s largest tributary. The crystal-clear free-flowing river is spring fed from high alpine meadows. The upper reaches of the Middle Fork River drainage drops rapidly through thickly forested alpine settings, then, aided by dozens of tributaries, it soon doubles in size becoming a rushing whitewater river with major rapids. As dense forest greenery gives way, the Middle Fork canyon alternates between grassy mountain meadows and sheer granite cliffs. During July, August and September, fly-fishing the Middle Fork of the Salmon is truly a world-class experience. This river is a blue ribbon “wild” cutthroat trout fishery.

Annual
Trip
Dates

  • June 3
  • Jun 12
  • Jun 21
  • June 30
  • July 8
  • July 16
  • July 24
  • Aug 1
  • Aug 9
  • Aug 17
  • Aug 25
  • Sept 2
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

MIddle
Fork of the Salmon River
Journey

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Day 1

Oh, my! Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Let the journey begin.

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Day 2

Enjoying the hot springs then down to camp.

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Day 3

Today we stopped and hiked to some Sheepeater Indian pictographs. These ancient writings are thousands of years old.

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Day 4

A quick stop at The Flying B Ranch for an ice cream cone then off to conquer more famous Middle…

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Day 5

Our last night we slept along the walls of the Impassable Canyon under the stars.

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Day 6

Last day of fun whitewater!

Rate

Our Team

Guest

$3,250 per person

What’s Included
  • Ground transportation

    Ground transportation from Stanley, ID to the river and return to Stanley at trip end.

Not Included
  • Air transportation

    Guests can opt for our Back Country Hotel Package – $750.00 pp details below
    Other air charter needs are priced depending on locations.

  • Motel rooms before or after your trip

    Any rooms needed outside of the Boise Back Country Hotel Package. We are happy to make all your reservations with your credit card.

Let us help you
plan the
perfect trip

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Extra
Packages

Boise pre trip lodging and round trip flight package
$750 per person

This package includes one night lodging in Boise at the beautiful Inn at 500 located in downtown Boise, a detailed orientation meeting the night before your trip and scenic back country flights from Boise to your adventure and back to Boise at the end of your trip. This package also includes all ground transportation between the Boise Airport and your prearranged lodging in Boise.
One way flights from Stanley to the river when water levels drop
$135 per person

Later in the summer, water levels drop and then we fly all guests into Indian Creek airstrip to begin their adventure.

Additional
Information

Recommended Gear List

Mackay provides our guests with:

Roomy 4-man tent for couples or singles

Freshly laundered sleeping bag and pillow with new pillow case

Comfortable large cot

Mattress pad for warmth and comfort

Coast Guard approved white water life jackets

Waterproof day bag, duffel bag, water bottle and camp cup

Wet suit with splash jacket – Mackay provides each guest with a wet suit during early and late season trips.

 

Mackay provides for camp and rafting:

All rafting equipment – oar boats, paddle boats, inflatable kayaks, stand up paddle boards (Main Salmon only) and water toys

All cooking and utensils for preparing your gourmet riverside meals

Dining tables and chairs

Plenty of ice for cold beverages

Full trauma kit, first aid supplies, defibrillator, satellite communication device for emergency use

 

Spring and fall must haves

 

Wool hat and gloves

Wool socks or wet socks

Down jacket or vest

Good quality rain jacket and pants

 

Things to bring for your summer adventure

 

Quick drying wicking t-shirts – long sleeve and short sleeve

Quick drying shorts

Swimming suit and trunks

Rain gear – always a must

One set of wool or fleece pant and top – guests can layer under these, add raingear to stay nice and warm if our weather dips

Shoes – a set for camp such as tennis shoes and a pair for the water. Recommend a rafting sandal or shoe with secure heal

Hat for sun protection

Sunglasses with security strap – Chums brand is good

Fishing gear and tackle if you wish to fish

Toiletries – sunscreen, towel, wash cloth, small insect repellent – we do not have many insects on our rivers, but a few, and wet wipes

Flashlight -headlamp if possible

Camera and portable charger – there are NO power sources in the wilderness

 

Cancellation Information
Cancellation Information

Mackay purchases each guest a Travel Guard Essentials Trip Cancellation policy to cover your deposit and final payment if you cancel for a covered reason. Covered reasons are , but not limited to injury, sickness, death, work conflicts, and uninhabitable destination – forest fires, flooding.

If you are not comfortable and feel you need to have a Cancel for Any Reason policy, you will be provided 50% coverage.  These reasons include but are not limited to change of mind, conflicting summer schedules, and school conflict. Mackay will purchase the policy and charge the additional expense of the Cancel For Any Reason add-on to your deposit. Keep in mind these policies only cover 50% of your deposit and trip final payment.

If you need to cancel your Mackay trip your Trip Cancellation Policy will be your coverage. Depending on your policy and reason for cancellation 50% to 100% of your trip will be covered by your Travel Guard policy. Note: For the 50% you must have opted for the Cancel For Any Reason policy at time of reservation.

Disclaimers *

Guests can opt out of the coverage but will be held responsible for any loses they incur due to cancellation. There is no trip discount associated with opting out of coverage.

  1. Guests who cancel their trip for a 100% covered “reason” will be expected to provide Travel Guard all the required documentation to support the claim. Failure to provide all required documents will void this policy guarantee.
  2. Your Travel Guard policy DOES NOT cover any other expenses other than deposits and final payments to Mackay Wilderness River Trips, Inc. Please purchase your airline coverage separately.
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