Hughes River Expeditions

Hughes River Expeditions

Salmon River Rafting Trips

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River Equipment

We offer a superb selection of quality river equipment. We do our best to match the boats to your particular interests, so be sure to let us know your preferences. Guests often plan to rotate between the various types of craft during the trip. All rafts and inflatable kayaks are self-bailing.

Oar Rafts

The traditional craft, comfortable and exciting to ride, a fine fishing platform, controlled by your guide. 15-17 foot oar rafts are available.

Oar boat on the salmon river

Paddle Rafts

Participate in all the action! Your guide captains the paddle team and explains the route through each rapid.

Paddle raft on the salmon river

Inflatable Kayaks

Solo or tandem boats used for selected portions of a trip. Great fun!

Inflatable kayak on the salmon river

Fishing Rafts

Two fishermen/boat and guide. Rods, reels and tackle provided. Check for rates and details.

HRE Fishing Boat

Supply Boats

Custom-designed pontoons carry the camp gear, duffle, and extra ice chests on the Snake, Middle Fork, Salmon, and Grande Ronde trips. Supply pontoons allow us to offer guest boats that are comfortable, uncluttered, and especially maneuverable. Each day the supply boatman floats ahead to prepare the evening’s camp. When you arrive, your duffle is already unloaded into camp, the tents are pitched, and the kitchen is organized.

Gear boat on the salmon river

Hughes River Expeditions Provides:

  • All meals beginning with lunch the 1st day and ending with lunch the last day of the trip
  • Coast Guard approved whitewater life jackets
  • Farmer John wet suits for spring & early summer trips
  • Freshly laundered sleeping bags and camp pillows
  • Deluxe sleeping pad
  • Tent for every two guests, or a tent for singles
  • Ground tarps
  • Camp Chairs and Tables complete w/ table clothes and REAL plates and silverware.
  • Waterproof Gears Packs for your personal gear
  • Day Bags
  • Camera Boxes
  • First Aid Supplies
  • Eating Utensils (cups, silver, plates)
  • A limited complimentary supply of beverages which includes soda, beer, fruit juice and wine
  • Plenty of Ice for Beverages

About Hughes River Expeditions

  • Hughes Guides
  • Hughes River Expeditions History
  • River Equipment
  • Why Hughes
  • Hughes River Expeditions in the Media

Client Testimonials

We had a fantastic time and will definitely be rafting with you again. The guides were great in every aspect and it made the trip that much more enjoyable. They exceeded our expectations and that was hard to do. The food was delicious and I never felt like I was missing out by being gluten-free… they even made cakes and brownies for me.
E. Bynoe, St. George, Barbados. (2012)
You guys and gal did a superb job of making this trip enjoyable and memorable. We admire your skill, your friendly demeanor and, especially your teamwork.You made us feel special!
Members of the Spruce Creek Rod & Gun Club, PA (2008)
My family and I took a trip on the Middle Fork June 13-17…everything about it was terrific! I’ve run a number of rivers through the years with different companies and this was absolutely the best experience yet. The guides were so helpful, the equipment was first rate…You should be proud of your company and all those who work with you, it’s an impressive outfit.
E. Arata, Millersville, MD (2008)
I lie in bed at night thinking about the Screech Owl talking and the two huge storms with real lightning and thunder that shook my safe tent. I was so excited to see the Black Bear under the tree so relaxed and the great Big Horned Sheep down drinking water out of the river & groups of sheep way up high on the side of the mountain. The one River Otter that smiled at us, then dove under the rocks.
B. Whelan, Palo Alto, CA (1996)
I want to thank you for a fantastic vacation. My friends, my wife, and myself, had about the best four days we could imagine. The Salmon River could not have been better, and I think you have made some life long converts to kayaking.
W. Johnson, Los Angeles, CA (2004)
Our group had a great trip… We couldn’t say enough about the crew, still talking about them the next day. Great guys, didn’t make me miss Buzz from my last trip, but then you didn’t tell me that I’d have Buzz’s son on this trip! The guys were talking about the Middle Fork trip and the Snake Canyon, so maybe I’ll be back soon.
D. Haight, Evanston, IL (2014)
Want to thank you for the best river experience ever! The kind, knowledgeable guides and delicious food plus the scenery of the Middle Fork were all amazing. We plan to sign up for a 2017 trip down the Lower Salmon!
S. Jackson, Santa Barbara, CA (2015)
“Truly an amazing trip!  I think my clients yesterday may have gotten sick of me talking about it.”
J. Eaton, Bozeman, MT (2016)
Thank both you and your crew for the Great Trip we just experienced on the Middle Fork.
C. & R. Gore, Wilsonville, OR (2021)
At no time in the past have I written a provider of a service…and told them what I thought. But, as we were coming to the take out point on our float trip, I vowed to write to you… To start with, we had an experience of a life time! Each individual in our group has independently expressed how amazing this experience was and at least one told me it was life changing and healing. Taking the approach where you did whatever it took… generated good will among our group…big time kudos to you a… Read more
C. Healy, Portland, OR (2006)
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Middle Fork Salmon

Our Middle Fork of the Salmon rafting trip is a spectacular outdoor vacation! The Middle Fork is famous as America's best river rafting trip. From the put-in at Boundary Creek (elevation 5,700 ft.) to … More Info

Main Salmon River

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Our Main Salmon River of No Return rafting trip is a spectacular outdoor vacation! The Main Salmon River is one of the best wilderness river stretches in North America. We float through dense forests,

Salmon River Canyons

Lower Salmon River Gorge - Idaho Roller coaster rapids, perfect swimming water, and wonderful canyonlands. The Salmon River drifts through quiet pools and surges into churning whitewater. Camping on … More Info

Selway River Trip

The Selway River Trip is a premier mountain wilderness, whitewater, camping, and fly fishing trip that flows through beautiful forested canyons.  It is easy to consider the Selway to be the ultimate

© 2023 Hughes River Expeditions
406-540-4450 • email us • 6400 Caras Lane • PO Box 218 Lolo, MT 59847-0218
Hughes River Expeditions, Inc. is operated under special use permits through the Bureau of Land a Management & United States Forest Service.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.