The Gift of Experiences
Here’s a collection of adventures our staff has loved and wholeheartedly recommends. Each offers a distinctive experience that you’re sure to thoroughly enjoy. These trips…
Earl Parrott – Hermit of the Impassable Canyon
This past summer, a gold pan was donated to the Lemhi County Historical Society. Its previous owner was Earl Parrott. The pan was originally found…
Middle Fork Salmon Blowouts
Over the past four years, the Upper Canyon of the Middle Fork Salmon River has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by wildfires and the powerful…
Thank You for an Outstanding 2025 Season
Thank you, from all of us at Idaho River Journeys, to every guest who joined us on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The…
2026 Middle Fork Salmon Trip Dates
Let us help you plan your Middle Fork Trip
Middle Fork Salmon River Trip Report: June 30-July 5, 2025
It’s tough to beat celebrating the 4th of July in one of the most iconic wilderness areas in the United States, the Frank Church Wilderness….
Middle Fork Salmon River Trip Report: June 21-26, 2025
Our first summer trip kicked off with fresh snow, not exactly what you expect on the longest day of the year. But that’s life in…
Middle Fork Salmon River Trip Report: June 12-16, 2025
We had the pleasure of hosting an incredible group of family and friends for a private charter celebrating a 40th birthday, and what a way…
Middle Fork Salmon River Trip Report: June 3-7, 2025
Our first trip of the season was a wellness-focused experience hosted by Rachelle Ballard and Caro Nilsson, each bringing expertise in their respective fields. Rachelle…
Things to do in Missoula, Montana
Planning a visit to Missoula, Montana? Whether you’re passing through or staying a while, this vibrant mountain town has plenty to explore. We asked a…
Boat Barn in Salmon, Idaho
There’s a sign on one of the sliding doors at our gear warehouse in Salmon, Idaho, that identifies the building as the George Miller Boat…
Tips for Bringing Kids on a River Trip
Bringing kids on a river trip is a great way to unplug and connect as a family, and a little preparation goes a long way…
Birding on Your River Trip
Whether you’re an avid birder or simply curious about the wilderness around you, a Middle Fork Salmon trip offers a front-row seat to some incredible…
Crew Winter Update
The IRJ crew is looking forward to a fun filled year rafting on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Below is what they’ve been…
Idaho 2025 Celestial Events
Renowned for its dark sky reserve, Idaho’s expansive skies and pristine natural landscapes make it the premier destination for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts. With its…
Pizza Seminars – Outfitter Musings
During a season, an IRJ guide may hear or read something about the Middle Fork that they want to share with the crew. Frequently it’s…
Reflecting on an Incredible 2024 Season
Thank you to every guest who joined us on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River this season. We understand the commitment it takes to…
Will Idaho Get to See the April 8, 2024 Eclipse?
On April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse will be visible across the United States. Although Idaho will not be in the path of totality, it…
2024 Crew Updates
The IRJ crew is looking forward to a fun filled year rafting on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Below is what they’ve been…
In Memory of Seda Witten
A Guide Unlike Any Other By Brian Chaffin Seda Witten passed away at her home in Emmett, Idaho; her partner and best friend, Dean Snell,…
Middle Fork Salmon River Weather
Below, you will find essential weather stations and insights into the climate of the Middle Fork Salmon River to help you prepare for your trip….
In Memory of Tom Tremain
A Guide at His Core By Brian Chaffin It is with heavy hearts that we share the recent loss of Tom Tremain, life-long river guide,…
Things to do in Salmon, Idaho | Local Tips
Whether you have a few extra hours or a few extra days, Salmon offers an abundance of activities to augment your Middle Fork Salmon River…
Five Adventures in 2023 | Trips We Recommend
Adventures Worth Sharing As more people start thinking about their summer plans, we wanted to offer a variety of trips that we know you will…
Into The Woods Wellness Retreat | August 17-21, 2023
Led by Rachelle Ballard a renowned yoga instructor, personal trainer, and wellness coach. Into the Woods Wellness Retreat offers guests a mind-body-spirit experience that helps…
2023 Crew Update | What the IRJ Crew is Doing This Winter
After her Middle Fork season ended, Libby took a well-deserved break, then started a job for the Utah Rivers Council as a water and policy…
The 2022 Year in Review | Middle Fork Salmon River Season
Below are some of our favorite highlights, memories, and community events that deserve to be recognized from the 2022 season. Big Water On May 1st,…
Four Lower Snake River Dams – Source to Sea , 1000 Mile Kayaking Expedition
In the Spring of 2022, Libby Tobey, Brooke Hess, and Hailey Thompson set out on a 1,000-mile kayaking expedition following the natural migration path of…
Species of Fish in the Middle Fork Salmon River – How to Identify on Your Trip
Fish are an integral part of a river ecosystem. The characteristics of a river are shaped by the fish that inhabit it and the insects…
Middle Fork Salmon Hiking | IRJ Crew Top Hikes
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River has many miles of diverse hiking trails. From the main trail that follows the river and provides opportunities…
2022 Crew Update | What the Idaho River Journeys Crew is Doing This Winter
Whether it’s this year or next, we hope you can join the Idaho River Journeys Crew on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River again….
A Year in Review 2021 | Middle Fork Salmon River Season
Every season on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River presents a variety of highs, lows, joys, adventures, and many incredible new experiences. Below are…
Gift Ideas From the River | Idaho River Journeys
With family and friends getting together for Thanksgiving, it’s a wonderful opportunity to share memories and delight in the anticipation that comes from planning future…
Things to do in Ketchum, Idaho
The gateway to the spectacular mountains, valleys, forests, and rivers of Central Idaho, the town of Ketchum poses a confluence of rich culture, history, and…
A Year in Review 2020 | Middle Fork Salmon River Season
We owe a debt of gratitude to our wonderful guests for the trust and appreciation you showed our staff and guides during this uncertain time….
Insider’s Guide to Fly Fishing the Middle Fork of the Salmon | Selecting a Fly
A common question for any fly fishing trip, not just Salmon River Fly Fishing, is “What is your favorite fly?” For some guides, it’s an easy…
Idaho River Journeys Response to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Trip Guidelines: Updated: 3/14/22 In developing operational guidelines for the 2022 season, we are following the recommendations of the CDC, medical professionals, the State of…
Creativity during Quarantine | Woodblock Prints of the Middle Fork Salmon River
Inspired by her experience of guiding on the Middle Fork Salmon River and seeking a creative outlet during quarantine, Hannah Fast developed a set of…
2020 Crew Update | What the Idaho River Journeys Crew is Doing This Off-Season
Our Middle Fork Salmon river crew has been busy this winter. From teaching water policy classes, living down in South America, skiing 50 days, to…
Highlights from the 2019 Season | Middle Fork Salmon River
A vacation on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River has a way of reminding us of how much we treasure little moments, like sitting…
The Bear on Main Street Salmon, Idaho | By Sculptor Robert Deurloo
Your route home after your Middle Fork Salmon River trip is likely to take you through the City of Salmon, where immediately after crossing the…
Thank You for a Terrific Middle Fork Season | From the IRJ Crew
We had a terrific season boating the Middle Fork of the Salmon. As we close down for 2019, we wanted to take a moment to express…
June Trips on the Middle Fork Salmon River
June is a fantastic time to be on the Middle Fork, offering some of our most active and exhilarating trips of the season. With long…
Packing for your Middle Fork Salmon River Trip | Idaho River Journeys
In preparing for your Middle Fork Salmon river trip I wanted to offer suggestions and information on how to pack. From my travel and rafting…
Trees of the Middle Fork Salmon River | Happy Arbor Day
April 24th marks Arbor Day, and to celebrate we at Idaho River Journeys would like to introduce you to some of the most abundant, specialized,…
Golden Hour | Middle Fork Salmon River
There’s something special about the timing of golden hour; whether it’s enjoying a late evening hot spring soak, hiking a ridge as the sun crests,…
From Fly Fishing to Woodblock Art
IRJ guide, Hannah Fast is a self-taught artist and renowned Middle Fork Salmon fly fishing guide. It always made sense to her to combine these…
Idaho Ain’t Iowa | What is the Difference?
Eleven hundred miles of mountains, rivers and plains separate Iowa and Idaho but the three identical vowels they share in their short names seem to…
Winter Update | What the Idaho River Journeys Crew is Doing This Off-Season
This past week we caught up with our Middle Fork Salmon crew and asked them what they are doing this winter? Besides dreaming about the…
Outdoor Adventures | Tuolumne River- April of 1993
Outdoor Adventures | Tuolumne River- April of 1993 In 1993, Idaho River Journeys was called Outdoor Adventures, and we worked with Wide World of Sports…
Best Shots From 2018 | Middle Fork Salmon River
In celebration of the new year, we wanted to share our favorite photos from the Middle Fork Salmon River. Looking back at some of our…
Suggested Books for Your Middle Fork Salmon Trip
For many of our guests, part of the fun of taking a Middle Fork vacation with Idaho River Journeys is anticipating the trip. Here are…
Tips on Dutch Oven Cooking | River Cooking
The Dutch oven is an all-purpose and versatile cookware tool that can turn a river kitchen into a five-star restaurant. For those who have never…
Perseid Meteor Shower | Middle Fork Salmon Stars
Northern Lights from Grassy 1 Camp Sunset to Sunrise from Stateland Left Camp
June Highlights | Middle Fork Salmon River
There is nothing like the excitement that accompanies the month of June on the Middle Fork Salmon River. From wildflowers in full bloom, crystal-clear hot…
Middle Fork Salmon River Elevation | Key Points Along the River
While on a Middle Fork Salmon River trip, a common question is, “What is the elevation?” Understandably, the corridor can be a bit disorienting. With…
Middle Fork of the Salmon River | Geothermal Paradise
The Middle Fork Salmon River features numerous hot springs to enjoy during your trip. From small pools nestled in the high alpine to streams cascading…
Tips on Photographing Idaho’s Night Sky | Professional Photographer Garret Smith
In a previous blog post, we shared our favorite star shots on the Middle Fork Salmon. Now we want to show you how to take…
2017 Winter Update | What the Idaho River Journeys Crew is Doing this Offseason
Recently, we asked the Idaho River Journeys Crew what are they doing this winter? Besides dreaming about rafting on the Middle Fork Salmon, our crew…
The Best Night Sky Anywhere | Middle Fork Salmon River
The International Dark-Sky Association has designated over 1,400 square miles in central Idaho as a Dark Sky Reserve, marking it as the first in the…
Halfway to Halfway and Back | Stories By River Guides & Outfitters
In 2012, Idaho River Journeys President, Bob Volpert and Echo president Dick Linford published a collection of stories by, and usually about, river guides and…