One of the world’s great whitewater rafting adventures, the Middle Fork of the Salmon River snakes through a Central Idaho landscape of soaring canyons and thick spruce forests, secret beaches and bounding waterfalls. It drops 3,000 vertical feet along its 104-mile-long route, popping with Class III and IV rapids.
For all its epic offerings, the Middle Salmon is refreshingly accessible for first-time rafters and families, too!
You don’t need to be a champion kayaker to experience the river—but you do want seasoned, savvy river guides steering your way along these 4-6 day rafting trips.
Here’s where award-winning MT Sobek stands apart. Not only will our river guides navigate rapids and point out the highlights, they’ll set up your riverside campsites each evening and cook elaborate campfire meals while you kick back and relax.
MT Sobek runs a pair of multi-day all-inclusive trips for rafting the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho: a 100 mile Salmon River rafting tour (June and July departures) and a 75 mile Salmon River rafting tour (August departures.) These all-inclusive tours cover your trip needs, plus pre- and post-trip lodging and flights. You just need to show up, ready for the fun.
One pro planning tip? Don’t pack too much!
When you’re heading deep into aptly-named Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness, the last thing you want is too much baggage bogging you down. (Especially given the 30 lb weight limit on your regional flights to the river trailhead.) There’s just no need to pack too much stuff.
The good news? We provide most of the core trip gear for you, including the following:
- Two medium-sized dry bags – one for your personal items, the other for your sleeping kit
- One small dry bag – for your day use on the river
- A professionally-laundered sleeping bag (you can bring your own if you want)
- A two-person tent, plus a ground tarp
- One sleeping pad per person
- A personal flotation device (PFD) to wear on the river
- Wetsuits and/or splash gear (for early June and late Aug departures, which can have cooler water and air temperatures)
Here’s a detailed packing guide to help you plan what else to bring on your trip.
Luggage
First off, avoid wheeled luggage. The last thing you’ll want is a rolling bag on this trip. No need for a big suitcase or backpack either. Just bring a small duffle bag, one that can fit easily into a commercial jet’s overhead compartment. But one without wheels. Have we mentioned no wheels?
- One small to medium sized duffel bag (12” by 22” max) without wheels – this can fit into your provided trip dry bag, giving you easy access to your personal gear. Remember that 30 lb limit for your baggage, and don’t pack what you’re not willing to leave behind.
- Packing Cubes or Stuff Sacks – also convenient for your trip dry bag
- Ziploc bags – super handy for smaller items, or storing wet items away from the rest of your stuff
- Small daypack – for day hikes along the river or around camps
Clothing
Think layers! Temperatures vary during the course of a rafting day. June can be chilly and July brings intense sun. Layers help you adjust to changing conditions. Lightweight dry fit clothing dries well overnight.
- Underwear – for every day of travel
- Long sleeved, light colored shirts – think whites and yellows, to reflect the sun
- Quick drying t-shirts or sun shirts – hang them up outside overnight to dry for the next day’s adventure
- Quick drying shorts
- Swimsuits
- Fleece or synthetic pants
- Sweatpants, yoga pants and t-shirts – to wear at camp
- A sarong – to wrap around your legs for sun protection, or sponge up river water for a refreshing soak
- Light- or medium-weight long underwear – it can get chillier in the evenings at elevation, particularly in June or August
Outerwear
Gear to wear at camp or on the river.
- Fleece jacket, medium weight
- Warm down jacket – makes a great pillow, too
- Waterproof, breathable jacket with hood – consider a capilene hoodie from Patagonia, a polyester fabric with a water-repellent shell
- Waterproof, breathable pants
- A wide-brimmed sun hat like a Tilly hat, or a baseball cap
- Bandana or Buff
- Fleece or wool hat – for June and late Aug departures
- Warm gloves – for June and late Aug departures
- Neoprene paddling gloves – your hands will gladly thank you
Footwear
Flip flops? Too flimsy for the Middle Fork. Bring something sturdier instead.
- Tennis shoes or light hiking shoes – something you don’t mind getting wet
- River sandals like Chacos or Tevas – designed for trips like this
- Wool or synthetic socks for back at camp
- Wetsuit booties or neoprene socks – for early June and late August departures in particular
Travel Accessories
Personal items for comfort and necessity.
- Sleeping Bag Liner
- Camera or Smartphone – with a charger, batteries and memory card
- Waterproof phone case – like a Pelican floating poach, with a lanyard to hang it around your neck
- Travel towel
- Toiletry kit
- Prescription medications – plus back ups
- Sunglasses – with eyewear retainer, like a Chums floating cord
- Spare prescription glasses, sunglasses, or contact lenses
- Sunscreen with at least 30 SPF – try an environmentally-friendly brand without river-harming chemicals, like Maui Natural or Thinksun’s Thinksport Clear Zinc Sunscreen
- Lip protection – like Sunbum’s Signature Lip Balm
- Reusable water bottles with a securing strap like Hydro Flask or a hydration backpack like Camelbak with 2-3 liters of total capacity
- A couple of carabiners – to clip your water bottle to your boat
- A quality headlamp – to use at camp, plus extra batteries
- Environmentally-safe Insect repellent – like Murphy’s Naturals
Optional Items
Don’t go overboard here – if in doubt, leave these out.
- Sleeping bag – if you prefer your own
- Camp pillow – or a pillowcase you can stuff with your jacket
- Binoculars
- A Swiss army knife or Leatherman-type multi use tool
- Reading material
- Favorite snacks – additional to what MT Sobek will provide
- Journal or sketchbook
- Hiking poles – not needed for day hikes
- Fishing gear and current license
- A deck of Uno cards or another small game to play at camp, if traveling with children
Our packing list is based on feedback we’ve received from our staff, guests and guides. Weather conditions may vary. Please use this as a guideline. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to your Adventure Coordinator.