Raft Trip Planning Resources
If you found this page, I’ll assume you’re planning a private raft trip down Idaho’s Salmon River. May this be the Middle Fork, Main, or Lower I’m sure you are about to have a great time. The material below is intended to aid those who are planning a self guided trip. The intent is to create a centralized hub of information which will point you towards all the other planning resources people have made over the years.
If you are joining a guided trip I would encourage you to trust your outfitter. They are all professional and know what will work best on the their trips.
Do you have a company, website, or resources that should be added to this page?
General Rafting Resources
Permit/Reservation: www.recreation.gov || (a Reservation is not a permit)
River Campsite Photos: newdescents.com
Older Campsites: raftingthewest.com
General Raft Trip Planner: https://rrfw.org
River information:
Forum: www.mountainbuzz.com
Articles: RiverBent.com
General Raft Trip Planning Considerations
While there is much to plan, remember:
– Less is more –
– Go with the flow –
– Communicate with your group –
– Adapt, relax, and smile –
General Considerations:
- Who is the group leader?
- Permit winner must be present
- Review current regulations
- Vehicle person capacity factoring in gear
- Shuttle Service (see below)
- Campsites
- Estimated group shared cost (no surprises)
Safety Considerations:
- Is your group experienced enough to safely raft this river?
- Who is the lead safety person?
- Who knows river safety?
- Who knows raft rescue?
- Does your group have enough experienced oars people?
- List of emergency numbers for the area
- What is your group’s sickness policy
- Satellite phone or 2-way radio
Food Considerations:
- How is your group breaking out meals?
- Who is in charge of raft snacks?
- How are going to keep food cold?
- Don’t forget the hot drive to put-in
- Weight distribution: Water jugs + Groover + Adult beverages?
Raft Trip Gear Considerations:
- Gear rental and associated costs and transportation
- Size of rafts vs number of people per boat
- Gear breakdown per boat
- Refer to Packing List Section (below)
Salmon River Guide Books:
- Middle Fork of the Salmon River Guide Book by Matt Leidecker
- Idaho’s Salmon River Guide Book by Eric J. Newell
- RiverMaps Middle Fork & Main Salmon River by Duwain Whitis & Barbara Vinson
- The Lower Salmon River Boating Guide Book by Bureau of Land Management
Salmon River Idaho Books:
- River of No Return by Johnny Carrey and Cort Conley
- Highly Recommended with Murder Mystery!
- 7003 Days: 21 Years in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness by Jim Akenson, Holly Akenson
- Fishing Idaho: An Angler’s Guide by Joe Evancho
Salmon River Car Shuttle Options
All River Shuttles: allriversshuttle.com
Blackadar Boating: www.blackadarboating.com
Frank Church River Shuttles: www.fcrshuttles.com
River Rat Shuttles: https://www.rivershuttles.com
Rubicon Outfitters: https://www.rubiconraft.com
Central Idaho River Shuttles: centralidahorivershuttles.com
Salmon River Jet Boat Shuttle Options
Arctic Creek Lodge: www.arcticcreeklodge.com
China Bar Lodge: chinabarlodge.com
Hells Canyon Adventures: hellscanyon.biz
Jet Boat Idaho: jetboatidaho.org
White Water Expeditions: whitewaterexpeditions.com
Raft Trip Packing
Required:
- PFD
- Throw bag(s)
- Rescue Kit
- Permit
- Government-issued photo Identification of the Permit Holder
- Aquatic Invasive Species sticker for each boat
- Toilet Containers (not bags)
- Metal Firepan – minimum of 144 sq in with 3-in sides
- Ash Container (prefer metal)
- Shovel
- Bucket
- Sand stakes for securing rafts
- Mesh Strainer (fine enough to filter coffee grounds)
- Whistle
Must-Have:
- Air pump
- Boat repair kit
- Fire Blanket (may be required in the future)
- Spare paddle and Bow Line
- Bailing device
- River map
- Toilet paper, Groover key, Groover wash station
- Soap and Hand sanitizer
- Food
- Water (~1 gallon per person per day)
- Kitchen Tarp
- Cooking gear
- Coolers
- Dry Box
- Trash Ammo can or buckets with lids
- Trash bags
- Lighter
- Personal clothes
- Personal Toiletries & Hygiene
- Water bottle with carabiner
- Sleeping bag
- Camp chair
- Sunglasses, Hat, Sunscreen
- Med Kit → NRS Kits
- Topicals for Bee stings, rashes, bug bites,
- Benadryl, Aspirin, ibuprofen, anti-spetic wipes
- Spare matches and some paper, thermal blanket
- Tweezers, fingernail clippers
- Moleskin, wraps, cotton ball, q-tips, band-aids
Nice to Have:
- Dry Bags
- Tent
- Sleeping Pad
- Games!
- Wood or charcoal for a fire
- Pillow
- Chamois cloth
- Headlamp
- Drag bag
- Camp shoes
- Rubber mallet: for sand stakes & crushing cans
- Pocket knife
- Campsite options
Considerations:
- Spare carabiners
- Bee Trapping strategy
- Suction cup Koozies
- Shewee
- Fishing gear and license
- Emergency Satellite communication method
- Contact lens wearers: Ask for a prescription for daily contacts
- Baby wipes
- Cold water gear
- Helmet
- Binoculars
- Books
Rafting Kitchen list:
- Kitchen Table
- Kitchen floor tarp
- Coffee Percolator
- Insulated travel mugs
- Ideally 2 burner stove
- Propane tanks
- Lighter
- Cooking pots and pans
- Dutch oven
- Griddle or grill pan
- Cooking utensils: spatula, ladle, tongs
- Pot gripper
- Knife and cutting board
- Low profile, lightweight, plastic Plates and Bowls
- Cups or mugs
- Eating utensils (forks, knives, spoons)
- Peeler, Can opener
- Lightweight (Or Collapsible) dishwashing basins (Qty 3 if a large group)
- Dish-drying mesh bag
- Sponge
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking oil or spray
- Various spices and herbs in small plastic bags
- Time of year dependent: Kitchen lantern