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Main Salmon River
Rafting Trip in Idaho

FUN, FUN! Idaho’s Main Salmon River – “The River of No Return”, is the ultimate family rafting adventure for ages 5 years of age and up.

Overview

The river has huge white sand beaches, warm water for great swimming, heavily forested canyons, crystal-clear side streams and abundant wildlife. The Salmon River Canyon offers some of North America’s most famous white water rapids such as Chittam, Split Rock, Elkhorn and the always-impressive Big Mallard.

This perfect “drop and pool” river is where you find the water toys. Guests enjoy Stand Up Paddle Boards, miniature paddleboats and more! It is beach time on the mighty Salmon River.

Mackay Wilderness River Trips’ family holidays offer family rafting trips, which include professionally trained Kid Wranglers dedicated to educating and entertaining your children. A Mackay family rafting vacation allows mom and dad time to relax and enjoy the magnificent Salmon River Canyon, knowing their children are safe and having the best family rafting trip possible!

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Distance

Distance

87 miles

Trip Length

Trip Length

6 days, 5 nights

Group Size

Group Size

Up to 24 guests

Annual
Trip
Dates Main Salmon The River of No Return

  • June 26
  • June 27
  • July 4
  • July 5
  • July 12
  • July 13
  • July 20
  • July 21
  • July 28
  • July 29
  • Aug 5
  • Aug 6
  • Aug 13
  • Aug 14
  • Aug 21
  • Aug 22
  • Aug 29
  • Aug 30
  • Sept 6
  • Sept 7

May, early June and later September dates by request.

Rate

Our Team

Adults

$2,500 per person

Group

Child (5-17 years old)

$1,950 per person

What’s Included
  • Ground transportation

    Ground transportation from Salmon to the river put-in, Corn Creek. And from the river take out, Vinegar Creek to McCall, Id.

Not Included
  • Air transportation

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

  • Vehicle shuttles before or after your trip

    Contact River Shuttles directly at 208-756-4188 or rivershuttles.com

  • 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.

Camping & Meals on the Main Salmon

After a full day of adventure on the river, we’ll make camp where you can find comfort, warmth, and incredible hospitality waiting for you. Our campsites along the Main Salmon River are hand-picked for their scenic beauty, soft sandy beaches, and peaceful surroundings. Perfect for relaxing, reconnecting, and soaking in the wilderness. We provide everything you need for a restful night outdoors, including spacious tents, comfortable sleeping pads, and well-organized camps set up by your guides. Whether you’re sharing stories by the campfire or stargazing in silence, each evening is a chance to fully unwind. And when it comes to food, we don’t cut corners. Our guides prepare fresh, hearty, and gourmet meals right at camp, featuring local ingredients, delicious recipes, and options for every dietary need. From French toast for breakfast to prime rib, marinated salmon filets, and lemon caper chicken breast dinners enjoyed under the stars, mealtime is one of the highlights of the journey.

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Water Conditions

The Main Salmon River offers an ideal blend of thrilling rapids and calm stretches, perfect for both first-time rafters and seasoned adventurers. Known for its Class II and III rapids, the Main Salmon provides just the right amount of excitement without being overwhelming. Water levels fluctuate with the seasons, offering different experiences throughout the summer. Early season trips (June) bring higher flows and occasional Class IV rapids, while later season trips (July and August) feature warmer water, slower flows, and more time for swimming, relaxing, and riverside exploration. Thanks to its wide channels, sandy beaches, and steady gradient, the Main Salmon is one of the most family-friendly multi-day rafting rivers in the country. Offering safe, scenic adventures with exciting white water rapids. Whether you’re here to paddle hard, fish, or enjoy the vacation of a lifetime with your family, the water conditions on the Main Salmon make it a truly unforgettable river experience.

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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 the river to Salmon at trip end
$225 per person

You can choose to leave your vehicle at the Salmon Airport and fly back to Salmon at trip end.
Personal vehicle shuttle
From $400 per vehicle plus fuel.

Contact River Shuttles directly to arrange vehicle shuttles – 208-756-4188 or rivershuttles.com.

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

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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