Middle Fork Salmon River Trip Planing – Salmon Idaho

Salmon Idaho | Trips Departing 7/25 – Sept

*Beginning in 2025

Because our trips later in the season require a flight into the wilderness put in location at Indian Creek, we base our trips departing from 7/25 through September out of Salmon, Idaho. Apptly named, the small, inviting town of Salmon sits snuggly on the banks of the Salmon River. The Beaverhead Mountains, part of the Continental Divide, create a dramatic backdrop, reminding visitors that they are passing through the gateway to the nation’s most renowned wilderness areas.

Salmon is the largest town and the hub of Lemhi county. Despite its comparatively small size (population ~3,500), you will find plenty to do, charming lodging, and delicious restaurants.

Our orientation meeting will be held at 6pm the evening before your trip at the Stagecoach Inn, walking distance from Main Street and most of the lodging options in town. This introduction will include detailed information about what you can expect out on the river. We will also outfit you with your daytime dry bag, Solitude duffel bag to pack overnight clothing in, and insulated water bottle and mug, yours to keep at the end of the trip. 

We recommend staying at the Stagecoach Inn because of its proximity to Main Street, its free overnight parking for guests, and the convenience of a shuttle to and from the airport if you are traveling by air taxi. That being said, there are many wonderful lodging options in Stanley, including Air BnBs and VRBOs if you are a larger group.

Round trip ground transportation will be provided from the hotel in Salmon to the airport at the start of your trip, and back to your hotel in Salmon at the end of the trip. All of our trips operating out of Salmon require a flight into our wilderness launch point at Indian Creek.  This is an incredibly exciting and scenic start to our adventure, and allows for the opportunity to grasp the remoteness of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and the extent of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area. This flight is approximately $195 per person.

We recommend booking lodging for the night before your trip as well as the night we take off the river. We will get back to Salmon at the end of the trip at around 2:30pm, so there will be plenty of daylight if you do need to make a drive or catch an air taxi.

Check out our article about things to do in Salmon while you’re there before or after your Middle Fork Salmon River rafting or fishing trip.