7-Nights Idaho Middle Fork of the Salmon River 100-Mile Rafting from $3,495

Itinerary Details

MT Sobek: Idaho Middle Fork of the Salmon River 100-Mile Rafting

Day 1 Arrive in Idaho for Your Middle Fork Adventure
45-minute flight to Stanley
Welcome to Boise, Idaho! Arrive by 1:00 pm to begin your Middle Fork Salmon River rafting trip. After meeting your group and trip leaders, you'll board a scenic 45-minute flight to the charming mountain town of Stanley, Idaho, nestled at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains and alongside the Salmon River. At 6:00 pm, gather on the back lawn of the Mountain Village Resort for a welcome orientation, where you'll meet your professional guides and fellow adventurers. A laid-back picnic dinner follows, giving you time to ask questions and prepare for your week on the river. After dinner, return to your hotel and pack your waterproof river bags (provided) for an early morning departure into Idaho's backcountry wilderness.
Accommodation: Mountain Village Hotel
(D)

Day 2 Begin Your Middle Fork Rafting Trip
2.5-hour private bus transfer (40-minute flight option if river levels are high/low)
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Journey into one of America's most remote wilderness areas today. After breakfast, enjoy a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Boundary Creek, the official put-in for your Middle Fork of the Salmon River adventure. At the river's edge, meet your experienced Middle Fork rafting guides who will help you gear up and load into the oar rafts or paddle boats. Within minutes, you're paddling through the first exciting rapids—Sulphur Slide, Velvet Falls, The Chutes, and Powerhouse—as you enter deep into the heart of the Frank Church Wilderness. By late afternoon, you'll pull into a riverside camp—complete with scenic views, hiking trails, or nearby natural hot springs. Enjoy a chef-prepared meal, fireside chat, and fall asleep under a blanket of stars in this protected wilderness.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp—Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
(L, D)

Day 3 Paddle Pistol Creek on the Middle Fork
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast before diving into one of the most exciting rapids of the trip—Pistol Creek, a thrilling Class III rapid that kicks off another unforgettable day on the stunning Middle Fork Salmon River. As you float downstream, take in pristine wilderness views and enjoy access to inflatable "ducky" kayaks for more hands-on adventure (available on low-water trips). Paddle through Pongo Rapid, and stop by the historic Indian Creek Guard Station, where you'll learn about the region's early inhabitants and conservation efforts. Around 5:00 pm, you'll coast into camp after covering roughly 15 miles. Settle in, relax, and enjoy another riverside gourmet dinner as the sun sets over Idaho's canyon country.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp—Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
(B, L, D)

Day 4 Discover Hot Springs & Rock Art on the Salmon River
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Your fourth day on the river begins with Marble Falls and Ski Jump rapids—two more whitewater highlights. As the water mellows, it's the perfect opportunity for fly fishing, a refreshing swim, or a soak in natural hot springs at Sunflower or Loon Creek—a favorite part of the best Middle Fork trips. After lunch, hike to see ancient Sheepeater pictographs, rock art left by the Indigenous people who once called these canyon walls home. The day's 15-mile stretch ends at a scenic riverside campsite, where you can enjoy another peaceful night surrounded by nature.

(B, L, D)

Day 5 Enjoy the Middle Fork’s Big Rapids & Wildlife
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Today, you'll tackle some of the Middle Fork's most iconic rapids, including Tappan I, Tappan Falls, New Tappan, and Aparajo. These exciting sections make this day a highlight of many travelers' best Middle Fork trip memories. Keep an eye on the canyon walls for bighorn sheep, river otters, and bald eagles, and explore archaeological remnants like Sheepeater pit dwellings carved into the riverbanks. In the afternoon, pass by Kaufman's Cave, the remote hideaway of a Scottish prospector who once called this wilderness home.

(B, L, D)

Day 6 Experience Middle Fork Majesty in the Impassable Canyon
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Welcome to the Impassable Canyon, one of the most visually stunning sections of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Here, granite cliffs rise steeply from the riverbanks, showcasing dramatic folds in the rock—a geologic record of Idaho's wild past. Challenge yourself with a thrilling lineup of rapids: Driftwood, Haystack, Bernard Creek, Earthquake Jack Creek, and Goalpost. Midday, take a scenic hike to Veil Falls, a hidden waterfall tucked into a box canyon. Later, you'll pass by historic sites like the Earl Parrot homestead, before pulling into camp for your final night on the river.

(B, L, D)

Day 7 Ride Rapids & Return to Salmon, Idaho
2-3-hour bus transfer
6 hours/6-15 miles rafting Class II to Class IV rapids
Your last day on the river offers some of the biggest whitewater of the trip, including Foreplay, Rubber, Rubber II, and Hancock Rapids—a true grand finale to your Middle Fork rafting adventure. By midday, you'll reach the confluence of the Middle Fork and Main Salmon River, where your river journey ends. After a warm farewell to the guides, return to Salmon, Idaho for a stay at the Stagecoach Inn. Clean up, toast the adventure with your crew, and enjoy a celebratory evening in this charming riverside town.
Accommodation: Stagecoach Inn
(B, L)

Day 8 Depart Idaho After the Best Middle Fork Trip
Airport transfer included
Enjoy one final breakfast before boarding a shuttle to the regional airport for your scheduled flight back to Boise, Idaho. As you leave the mountains behind, reflect on the week's adventure—arguably the best Middle Fork trip you'll ever experience.
Accommodation: Stagecoach Inn
(B)