Hughes River Expeditions

Hughes River Expeditions

Salmon River Rafting Trips

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Main Salmon – River of No Return

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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, along sage and mountain mahogany covered hillsides, and sheer granite cliffs.

Rafting The Main Salmon River

There are plenty of rapids. Killum, Gun Barrel, Rainier, Devils Teeth, Black Creek, Baileys, Five Mile, Split Rock, Big Mallard, Elkhorn, Growler, Ludwig, Dried Meat, Chittam, Vinegar Creek and many more make the Main Salmon River of No Return a first-class whitewater run.

The Main Salmon River is a Class III-IV whitewater river, with several Class IV rapids.

Memories that will last a lifetime with a wonderful group of new friends experiencing one of the world’s truly magical places together.

P. Renfrow, Seattle, WA

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Wilderness Rafting Trip

The area offers an incredible variety of wildlife, including Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mule deer, elk, cougar, black bear, otter, coyote, osprey, eagle, forest grouse, chukar partridge, and kingfisher.

6.25.41 Barth Hot Springs hot tub MP 22.6We stop to enjoy hot springs and to investigate Sheepeater Indian (Mountain Shoshoni) pictographs, hunting blinds, and teepee rings. Camps are beautiful and often a mixture of large beaches, grassy benches, orchards and remnants of homesteads. You can plan a morning or evening hike directly from camp. Other highlights include visits to the the many historical cabins/sites along the river left from the miners, fur trappers and traders in the Idaho back-country through the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Main Salmon River was protected by Congress in 1980 as a National Wild River under the National Wild and Scenic Act.  We float inside the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the huge Frank Church- “River of No Return” Wilderness (the largest wilderness in the continental U.S. – 2.36 million acres) as well as the 6.25.15 PictographsGospel Hump Wilderness area (206,000 acres).

Thank you so much for the river trip.  Good Equipment, great guides, the best food, and nice folks.”

C. Conley, Boise, ID

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2023 Schedule & Rates

Dates Length Adult Youth
June 24-29 6 Days $2,600 $2,475
July 2-7* 6 Days $2,600 $2,475
July 10-15 6 Days $2,600 $2,475
July 18-23 6 Days $2,600 $2,475
July 26-31 6 Days $2,600 $2,475
August 3-8 6 Days $2,600 $2,475
August 11-16** 6 Days $2,600 $2,475
August 19-24 6 Days $2,600 $2,475
August 27-September 1 6 Days $2,600 $2,475
September 4-9 6 Days $2,600 $2,475

*Fourth of July on the magnificent Main Salmon River of No Return.
**Perseids Meteor Trip. Peak viewing August 11-12.

Book Your Main Salmon River Trip Online

Deposit to Confirm Your Reservation

  • 6 Days – $700/person
  • 5 Days – $550/person

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Recreation Enhancement Act Fee requires collection of $4/day/person. This fee will be added to the above listed trip cost.

Youth Rate applies to kids, teens, and undergraduate students.

This institution is operated under special use permit with the Salmon-Challis National Forest. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Amazing trip on the Main Salmon River!  The crew was INCREDIBLE!!!!  The love they all have for what they do is inspiring.  Their skill in handling the river, their understanding of what each person could handle was both comforting and empowering.  I did things I never would have imagined and felt totally safe.  They were among the finest group of young men I have ever met!  From our first contact with Jerry Hughes all the way through, it was a first rate, first class experience and an unforgettable adventure!”

L. Hochburg, Great Neck, NY

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Main Salmon – River of No Return

  • Main Salmon Gear List
  • Main Salmon Trip Details
  • Testimonials
  • Main Salmon Photo Gallery

Book your trip online!

Questions about a trip?

Call 406-540-4450
We’re here to answer any and all of your questions or send us an email.

Main Salmon Map v2

Client Testimonials

What a great pleasure it was to boat the Middle fork with you and your crew. I cannot think of one thing more you could have done to provide better service or make the trip any more enjoyable. I thought I previously had experienced quality service on river trips, but Hughes River Expeditions proved the others to be rank amateurs.
D. Clayton, Kingston, RI (1986)
We are so grateful to you, Colin, Hughes Crew, and good companions for the memorable Owyhee float.  We expected an experience of a lifetime, and our wish came true!  The Owyhee River is not to be missed  (even if a 10 year wait for water  is necessary).   And we will also pass the word that this area is worthy of protection.
S. Miller, Idaho Falls, ID (2016)
The August 25-29 Middle Fork of the Salmon Trip – it was SO GOOD!  Your guides are first-rate in all regards.
Watts, Boise, ID (2021)
Thanks so much for a wonderfully fun week!  Our family can’t wait to do it again.
Prugh, Jackson, WY (2021)
The jazz trip was such an unexpected treat this year, and I know some people who might be interested in one next year. You run a great outfit!
V. Dowling, Pelham, MA (2015)
Hi all!  The trip was great!  Thank you!
Johnson, Pacific Palisades, CA (2021)
Such a rare and unique opportunity to get away from city life and experience river time…. I enjoyed every moment, going between boats, great food, kids being kids, and good company. No one could have justly described the experience until I tasted it myself…. I am already thinking of my core friends who need to experience this and with whom, I shall travel with next year down the Snake. Perhaps a JAZZ trip also in a couple of years…
J. Karotkin, Los Angeles, CA (2011)
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)
…the wonderful six days we spent on the Middle Fork with your terrific crew. From beginning to end, they were a special team making sure that all twenty three of us were happy, satiated (what great food!), and content…
S. Robertson, Sun Valley, ID (2015)
Getting back to reality was hard after such a fantastic trip on the Middle Fork. I couldn’t have been more pleased with our trip. Your organization, the food, the crew… and especially having you there Jerry with your wonderful stories. Your organization is TOP NOTCH, and that beautiful river. I have talked and talked about it. Continued success and we’ll see you again.
K. Schweitzer, Jacksonville, FL (2011)
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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.