On a recent trip to Idaho, we had the opportunity to take a whitewater rafting trip down “The River of No Return.” This river, also known as the Salmon River, famously turned back Lewis and Clark on their trip across the Louisiana Purchase. We decided it was just the right place to get our feet, and the rest of us, wet. There are a several great rafting companies operating in Salmon, but we rafted with Idaho Adventures and had an amazing time.
Why Choose a Guided Trip?
The great thing about a guided rafting trip is that everything is taken care of for you. We just had to arrive on time in our swimsuits ready to get wet. (Okay, it’s true that we needed sunscreen, good water shoes, and sunglasses with a strap, but that’s pretty much it.) The guides take care of the rest. Our tour was a full-day trip that ran from about 9am-5pm. It took us over 12 miles down the rugged Salmon River, which was a perfect day adventure.
After checking in and meeting our guide and driver, we got on a shuttle and headed out along the river. The drive was beautiful as we watched for bald eagles and deer along the road. We even saw a dusky grouse from the shuttle. When we arrived, the guides launched the boat and gave us a brief lesson on using the oars. As a passenger, you get to help move your raft through the rapids. There were 9 passengers in our boat, and not a single soul fell out for the entire trip! Phew! Our guide was amazing and explained everything before every set of rapids, so we knew what to expect. We were a little nervous since it was our first time on white water, but we felt so much more confident having a well trained guide.
Our White Water Adventure
The first part of the river was gentle and easy, which gave us a good chance to get used to the water and look for animals. We saw a mink, a bunch of big horn sheep, several kingfishers, tons of chukars, and dozens of osprey. The river was so beautiful and peaceful.
Our first stop came at an old mining area. Our guide pulled us up to the shore and we met our shuttle driver. They had water and a snack for us, and then we went on a quick tour of the mine. We learned a little history of the area, and walked into the mine, which was freezing! Inside it is under 50 degrees all the time.
After our short stop, we got back into the boat and headed down there river. We knew we were coming up on the big rapids now. Our guide knew just how to steer to keep us all in the boat. It was wild and we all got wet, but we all came through smiling and laughing. Between rapids, we got out of the boat and swam in the large, slow segments of the river.
Lunch
At lunch, we docked the boat, and the driver had moved the shuttle downriver. He’d set up a beautiful lunch of turkey and avocado wraps that really hit the spot. There were a few choices of drinks, and plenty of food, which worked out perfectly. We all reapplied sunscreen, and got ready to enjoy the rest of our trip.
More River Time
Back on the river, we had a few more rapids, but none as big as the first section. We also took a chance for a few more swims, and a lot more fun. We continued to see wildlife all the way down the river, too. Once we reached the end of the trip, we climbed back in the shuttle and drove about an hour back to town. It really was a perfect way to spend a day in Salmon, Idaho. If you have been wanting to try white water rafting, we highly recommend Idaho Adventures, and this is a great section of river for a first time trip.
What You Need to Know
- Plan on booking your trip ahead of time. Idaho Adventures fill up their tours and you will want to make sure there is a spot for you.
- There is a scenic river float that is about half the day if you aren’t up for white water rafting.
- Make sure to bring cash in order to tip your guide. They work really hard!
- Follow the directions in your booking email about what to bring. You really don’t need a ton of stuff as they provide most everything you really need. Plan on taking sunscreen, water shoes, and sunglasses/hat. They will give you a dry bag to keep your stuff in. You can also leave things in the shuttle.
- Details on Idaho Adventures here. We loved our experience with them: Idaho Adventures booking and info.
