2-3 Day Rafting Tours on the Salmon River Near Riggins
The Salmon River in Idaho is the longest free-flowing river in the contiguous United States, contained in a single state. ROW Adventures offers trips on several sections of the river, including five and six-day trips on the legendary Middle Fork of the Salmon, two and three-day trips on the Main Salmon near Riggins, and three to six-day trips on the lower Salmon River Canyons where we also offer our five-day Family Magic rafting trips. Our trips on the Salmon near Riggins are a great introduction to the majesty of the Salmon River and the American West! The rapids are intermediate class II-III with a few challenging class IV at certain water levels. In June the river is high and cool. In July and August the flows moderate and the water warms up for ideal swimming conditions. This section of the Salmon is perfect for both the beginner and veteran white water rafter.
Idaho Salmon River Near Riggins
The Salmon River near Riggins is one of three trips on the Salmon River operated by ROW Adventures. The Salmon River flows unimpeded through 425 miles of Central Idaho before its waters join the Snake River at the lower end of Hells Canyon to continue the journey to the Pacific Ocean. The free-flowing Salmon has incredible white sand beaches, diverse scenery, warm water and exciting rapids. This trip on the scenic Salmon is an excellent introduction to whitewater rafting and to Idaho’s diverse wilderness and wild rivers.
We offer two and three-day Salmon River Rafting Near Riggins that are available for private rafting trips for families and groups, as well as scheduled departures on select dates from late June to late August, when water levels are ideal for this section of the river. Beginners and experienced rafters alike will find plenty of excitement on this stretch of whitewater. On our Salmon River Rafting trips near Riggins, the two-day trip covers about 25-30 miles while the three-day trips floats roughly 40 miles. Water levels determine our exact launch point, which can be anywhere from 12 to 25 miles east of the town of Riggins, Idaho, known among locals as the “Whitewater Capital of the Universe.”
On some trips, a highlight is a hike to a mountain hot spring. All trips offer plenty of rambunctious whitewater rapids and stunning mountain scenery. Lake Creek, Ruby, Time Zone, Lightning Creek and Trap Creek are just a few of the exciting Class II-IV rapids you encounter. These rapids are known as “pool and drop” and are perfect for paddle rafts and inflatable kayaks. Between rapids you float along in the warm water, snapping a few pictures or just soaking up the sun and scenery.
While we travel on the river, our guides talk about the history of the Salmon River – the native peoples that lived along its banks, the white men that settled here and the first settlers to brave the Salmon’s whitewater. There are also a few old mining sites that we’ll stop to investigate. These were worked by Chinese miners from about 1850 to 1890. You’ll learn about their culture and marvel at the rock houses that remain. These are some of the best-preserved examples of Chinese rock dwellings in the world outside of China. We hope that through hikes, stories and interpretation you’ll gain an appreciation of the wild and historic treasures that dot the shores of Idaho’s Salmon River.
Weather on the Salmon River is usually hot and sunny (80-90 degrees during the day) with water temperatures in the low 60’s early in the season and rising to the high 60’s as the summer’s sun heats up the river. We camp on beautiful and expansive white sand beaches that are perfect for Frisbee, volleyball and sunbathing. Fishing and hiking are also popular campsite pursuits. Evening temperatures are mild (60-70 degrees), the sky is free from light pollution and there are no mosquitoes. This Salmon River offers idyllic camping, and you will discover why the river once dubbed “The River of No Return” is a river you will want to return to time and again.
Honoring Native People and Lands: Recognizing the significance of our travels through Indigenous territory, we would like to recognize the communities whose lands we visit. It is our hope, in doing so, to honor their legacies, their lives, and their descendants. To learn more about territory acknowledgement and specific information about the Native communities of this region, please visit our Territory Acknowledgement page.
Permits & Licenses:
ROW Inc., doing business as ROW Adventures, is proud to be an Equal Opportunity recreation service provider under permit from the Cottonwood Resource Area of the Bureau of Land Management. All our operations and facilities are operated on a non-discriminatory basis. ROW Inc. is bonded and fully licensed by the State of Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board.
