The Middle Fork of the Salmon River deservedly sits near the top of every paddlers bucket list. Kayaking the Middle Fork Salmon is an unforgettable journey through 2.3 million acres of The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The 100 mile trip from Boundary Creek to the confluence with Main Salmon boasts a combination of world class whitewater, untouched wilderness, epic camping, riverside hot springs and more. The Middle Fork truly has something for everyone. Here are a few things to consider if you are planning a kayaking trip down the Middle Fork.
What Makes The Middle Fork So Special?
You would be hard pressed to find a more perfect river trip than the Middle Fork of the Salmon. The action is nearly nonstop from top to bottom. A great mix of continuous Class 3 interspersed with Class 4 rapids defines the whitewater you will find kayaking the Middle Fork Salmon River. There are just enough calm stretches to allow a moment to gaze up at the gorgeous river canyon engulfed in millions of acres of wilderness. With over 100 tributaries flowing into the river, the Middle Fork undergoes a dramatic change in style from put in to take out. The top 25 miles from Boundary Creek can seem like creek boating on steroids. By the last day of the trip, as the river plunges through the Impassable Canyon, the river takes on almost Grand Canyon like big water feel. At almost all medium to high water flows, surf waves dot the river, appearing around every corner. It can be hard to remember there are so many miles to cover when the group is surfing endless eddy access waves together all afternoon. For these reason the Middle Fork is considered a right of passage for many whitewater kayakers.
Best Time Of the Year To Paddle The Middle Fork
While any trip down the Middle Fork in a kayak can be a memorable one, early spring provides the most unforgettable experience. From late May to late June the snow in the headwaters of the Middle Fork is rapidly melting, providing abundant water into the main stem of the river. Because the Middle Fork is free flowing, meaning there are no dams to impede the flow of water, the river possesses a truly wild feel in the spring. The high-water and continuous gradient means covering miles is never a problem, with groups able to travel 30+ miles in a day if needed. While the weather in Idaho can cover the spectrum this time of year, lucky groups can enjoy miles of wave trains under warm blue skies. However, it is not uncommon to experience some rain and/ or snow, especially in the high altitude reaches of the first two days of the trip.

What Skill Level is Required for Kayaking the Middle Fork Salmon River?
To consider an early season Middle Fork Salmon kayaking trip you should be comfortable paddling Class 4 whitewater and have a solid roll. The continuous nature of the river, especially in the top 25 miles and bottom 20 miles, demands Class 4 kayaking skills and swims can become long and dangerous. As the water levels drop in July and August the Middle Fork becomes much less continuous. While still considered a Class 4 run, most of the whitewater is Class 2 and 3, and the slower water means swims are much less consequential. Either way, it is always important to remember that you are a long way from help when paddling the Middle Fork and a conservative mindset is a good mindset to have.
Why Should I Kayak the Middle Fork Salmon with an Outfitter?
If everything we have covered so far sounds like a dream river trip to you, imagine including the following:
- Paddling an empty boat with no overnight gear preventing you from surfing waves, stern squirting eddy lines, splatting rocks, and sending wave boofs.
- Receiving expert instruction and rapid beta from certified kayaking guides with years of experience paddling the Middle Fork.
- Eating gourmet riverside meals such as 3 inch bone in pork chops cooked over mountain mahogany coals, homemade dutch oven buttermilk biscuits, and fresh carrot cake with homemade frosting.
- Enjoying a hot shower at camp after a long day day of paddling. Yes, that’s right, a shower on a river trip!
- Sleeping under the stars (or in a spacious tent) on a raised cot, with a deluxe sleeping pad and custom fitted sheet each night.
- No pre-trip planning or post trip clean up. Just show up with you kayak (or rent one from us) and paddling gear in Stanley, ID. After the trip you can let us do the driving as you relax on our private shuttle bus back to Stanley.
As kayakers ourselves, we at Solitude River Trips know what it takes to make a great kayaking trip an unforgettable one. We pride ourselves in offering the most comfortable, convenient, and professional guided white water kayaking trips on the Middle Fork Salmon River. But don’t take our word for it, here is what our guests have to say:
Honestly, the only negative feedback that I have on the trip, is that it was not long enough! I can’t wait to do the trip again, in the near future, and have the opportunity to take in so much more in one of the most special places on the planet. Thank you so much, Jake, Bridget, and team for making this one of the best paddling trips of my life. I’ve been very fortunate to travel all over the world paddling, and I have never been with such a cohesive group of people, in such an amazing place!
How To Start Planning Your Trip
The first step to kayaking the Middle Fork of the Salmon River is obtaining a permit. Pre season permits (before May 27th) can be obtained rather easily on Rec.gov. However, it is rare that the road to Boundary Creek is open by then. This leaves you with two options: Flying into Indian Creek or Putting in on Marsh Creek. We do not recommend putting in on March Creek unless you are a strong Class 5 paddler and are with someone who knows the run. Marsh Creek is a dynamic run with lots of wood that moves around daily and has caused many epics as well as fatalities.
To obtain a permit during lottery control season you can apply between December 1st and January 31st. Winners are announced on February 14th. If you want to guarantee your Middle Fork Salmon kayaking adventure, you can contact an outfitter to reserve a spot on a trip. While there are many fantastic outfitters on the Middle Fork, we would love to paddle the river with you and show you the place we call home. Contact us now to start planning your Middle Fork Salmon kayaking trip.