Frequently Asked Questions
Before you book
Not at all. We frequently take first-time rafters, and our guides ease you in. Paddle rafts and kayaks are never mandatory. If you’re unsure, ride in one of our many oar boats and relax. When you’re ready for something more active, your guides will point out a good warm-up section. At camp, they’re always happy to lend a hand.
It depends on the time of year. On our summer trips, from late June through mid-August, kids 8 and up are welcome. On our early June, late August and September trips, the minimum age is 12. Check our Dates & Rates page for exact launch dates.
Up to 23 guests and 7 guides.
A $750 per person deposit reserves your spot, and it’s non-refundable. Final payment is due 90 days before your trip. If you book more than a year out, we’ll set up a payment schedule: your deposit secures the space, a second payment is due about a year before your trip (or October 1, depending on your dates), and final payment is due 90 days out. Plans can change, so we recommend travel insurance; see our Travel Insurance page. Full details are on our Dates & Rates page.
Tipping is greatly appreciated. We recommend 10–20% of your trip cost, or about $375–$500 per person. You can tip by cash, check or Venmo at the end of your trip.
Getting there
It depends on your dates. From late May through July 24, trips begin and end in Stanley, Idaho. August and September trips start in Salmon with a short backcountry flight to the river. The flight is included on September fishing trips; August flights are an additional cost, so see our Dates & Rates page for details. We meet the evening before at 6 PM for a pre-trip meeting.
Our Traveling to Salmon and Traveling to Stanley pages have our favorite places to stay and eat, plus parking and shuttle details.
On the river
Our fleet of boats includes paddle rafts, oar rafts, inflatable kayaks, and a sweep boat. The paddle rafts are steered by a guide and up to six guests participating as paddlers. It’s an active and exciting way to navigate the rapids! The oar boats are steered by a guide without the assistance of paddlers. This more relaxing ride is great for unwinding, taking in the views, or fishing. The inflatable kayaks are single, self-adventure boats, where you’re in charge. Safety is our top priority, so our crew may limit kayak use to ensure safe conditions. The sweep boat acts as a cargo boat for the trip and does not carry passengers. You’ll learn more about this unique boat on the trip! Our guides are a big part of the trip; meet the crew.
No cell service or wifi once we launch, and honestly that’s part of the magic. Our crew follows strict emergency procedures and carries an emergency device to activate if anything serious happens. Let folks back home know you’ll be off-grid for the length of your trip.
Yes, on all of our trips, we provide fly-fishing setups. The configuration of our fleet of boats is designed to provide a range of activity options including fly-fishing. Oar rigs that carry a few guests and are rowed by a guide offer the best fly-fishing option. Although these boats are not rigged exclusively for fly-fishing, they work well for the casual fisherman. For tips on flies and gear, see our Middle Fork fly fishing guide.
Yes, you are welcome to bring a CPAP machine. Please make sure to inform our office about it through your trip registration form so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Camp & food
Our tents comfortably accommodate two people and gear, though they can fit up to three. We do not expect guests to share a tent with anyone outside of their traveling party. Solo travelers will be provided with their own tent.
Included in your trip are essential items for a comfortable and safe river experience: a Type-V flotation life jacket, a high-quality outfitter tent, a freshly laundered sleeping bag, a comfortable self-inflating sleeping pad, a large waterproof overnight bag, and a smaller waterproof day bag for personal items. For those bringing a DSLR camera, just let us know, and we’ll provide a Pelican dry box for safe transport. Additionally, we offer ‘Farmer John’ style wetsuits and splash tops for colder trips, or when requested. For what to bring yourself, see our How to Pack page.
We provide a selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on our trips, generally accounting for about 2-3 drinks per person per day. If you have specific preferences or would like more, feel free to bring your own beverages – there’s no limit to what you can carry. Our boats are equipped with ample dry box storage for personal drinks. We prefer aluminum for beer; wine or liquor in glass bottles is fine. For ease of transport and identification, we recommend using a reusable wine bag for any glass bottles you bring.
Yes, we are more than happy to accommodate various dietary requirements. When you complete your trip registration form, please specify your dietary preferences and our office team will follow up for any clarifications. We can readily cater to common dietary needs such as gluten-free, vegetarian, and food allergies. For more complex dietary requirements, we might ask you to bring specific foods. If you have any questions or special dietary concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Planning ahead is key, as our ability to make adjustments is limited once we’re out in the wilderness. Curious what we cook? Take a look at our menu page.
Our toilets are designed with your privacy and comfort in mind. They are located discreetly away from both camping and dining areas. These are robust, metal containers equipped with comfortable seats and tight-sealing lids for hygienic transport. At each camp, our crew sets up a fresh and clean toilet facility, complete with an adjacent hand-wash station to ensure cleanliness and convenience.
Didn’t find your answer?
Have a question about logistics, booking or what to expect? You’ll be in direct contact with Skip and Julia.