What to Bring on Your Salmon River Rafting & Fly Fishing Vacation
Our Idaho fly fishing and Middle Fork Salmon River whitewater rafting trips are full-service and all-inclusive. You will be outfitted with a cot, comfortable sleeping pad, spacious sleeping bag, and cozy pillow. Our gear boats go ahead to camp each day to set up your dining tables, bar, fireplace, shower, and bathroom. You will also enjoy three wilderness gourmet meals each day of the trip. All you really need to bring is a toothbrush and a smile, but having a few of your own personal comforts will help make your experience even better. After making a reservation, we will send you a welcome letter with a complete pack list and travel guide.
How to Pack for a Middle Fork Trip
At your orientation meeting before the trip you will be provided with a large dry bag to carry your camp items and a smaller dry bag for the items you would like with you on the river during the day. You will also be given a water bottle and a travel river mug, which are yours to keep after the trip. In your day bag we recommend sunscreen, a camera, any medication you may need, and a light raincoat. (A note about cameras: some guests prefer to use their phones, others bring proper cameras. Either works great, but if you bring your phone we recommend a waterproof case). There is plenty of space for this, or for anything else you would like with you while on the boats. Your spacious camp bag should be packed with your camp clothes, extra warm layer, toiletries, a headlamp, and any other personal items you would like to bring.
What to Wear on the River
On the river you will want comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting wet. Men often enjoy board shorts or bathing suit and a shirt, and ladies enjoy a bathing suit under a pair of shorts and top. You will need a comfortable pair of water shoes. You can use your preference of either open toe (i.e. Tevas, Chacos, etc.) or closed-toe (i.e. Astrals, etc) shoes. During the day we will also be spending the time out of the boats exploring hot springs, pictographs, old homesteads and other side hikes so you should plan to wear shoes that you will enjoy using for short walks or hikes. We recommend a comfortable hat and sunglasses that will protect you from the sun. On the paddle boats you will be wearing a helmet, so ideally your hat or any other clothing accessories should be able to get stowed in your day bag.
On our June trips we provide wetsuits and splash gear for everyone. In June I also recommend bringing a warm upper body base layer (not cotton) that you don’t mind getting wet, and a pair of neoprene socks for under your river shoes. For information about what kind of weather to expect, check out our Middle Fork Salmon River Weather blog post.
Wilderness ‘Glamping’
Although you will be in the middle of 2.3 million acres of wilderness, you will be extremely comfortable while “glamping” (glamorous camping) with Solitude River Trips. We recommend 1-3 pairs of your most comfortable outdoor clothes. This is an excellent time to sport your most fun shirt or sundress, and you will want a pair of shorts and a pair of pants. In June it can be chilly in the mornings, so we recommend bringing a pair of long underwear and a warm hat, just in case. A headlamp is the only piece of camping gear that we recommend you bring. Everything else will be included.
Do you still have questions?
Solitude River Trips offer the most comfortable, convenient, and unforgettable wilderness Idaho fly fishing and Salmon River rafting experiences in North America. We are ready to get you out on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River!
Contact us to learn more.
