Middle Fork Salmon River Trip Planning – Stanley Idaho

Stanley Idaho | Trips Departing 6/5-7/17 (All Trips in 2024)

Due to Stanley’s close proximity to the upper put in location of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, we choose this location to start and end our trips between 6/5 and 7/17. Stanley is a town of 62 residents nestled at the base of Sawtooth Mountains.  Regardless of its size, Stanley comes to life in the summer and has a good selection of lodging and dining.

Your trip will begin with our orientation meeting at 6:00 PM at the Sawtooth Spirit. 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 Mountain Village Lodge, however there are several other lodging options available as well. We will depart from the Mountain Village Lodge early on the morning of your trip. We recommend staying in Stanley the night before and possibly the night after your trip. The Mountain Village Lodge also offers parking for your vehicle while we are on the river for $25 a week.

For our trips departing 6/5 – 7/17 we provide round trip ground transportation from Stanley, Idaho. On your way back back to Stanley from the river take-out, we will pass the Salmon airport, where you will have the option to catch a flight to Boise, Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Missoula, or wherever else you need to go. Otherwise you will return to Stanley at approximately 5:30 PM on the evening of the last day of your trip.

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

Shuttling your vehicle – Optional 

You will not need to shuttle your car unless you are planning to drive north or west into Montana, Wyoming, or Northern Idaho after your trip. If so, you can have your vehicle shuttled to North Fork, ID or Salmon, ID where you will see it shortly after we get off the river. As always, just let us know if you have any questions about your travel logistics.