Middle Fork Trip Details
For our Middle Fork of the Salmon rafting trips, we meet in Salmon, ID and will meet the evening before your trip. Depending on water and road conditions, put-in is either Boundary Creek (100 river miles) or Indian Creek or Thomas Airfields (75 river miles). Your Middle Fork trip will begin with a backcountry flight to either Bruce Meadows or Indian Creek depending on the flows. HRE provides van transportation to the airport and from Bruce Meadows to Boundary Creek. These flights are an addtional cost. We provide bus transportation back to Salmon from Cache Bar takeout.
Headquarters & Starting Point
Meet at the Stagecoach Inn in Salmon, ID at 7:00 pm the evening before the trip. At the meeting, we discuss the trip, check out trip gear, arrange vehicle and luggage storage, and handle any last minute details.
Lodging in Salmon
We recommend making reservations at the Stagecoach Inn in Salmon, ID.
Stagecoach Inn
201 Riverfront Drive
Salmon, ID 83467
208-756-2919
https://www.stagecoachinnmotel.com/
Guest Experiences on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
Traveling to Salmon, ID
Salmon, Idaho, can be reached by automobile, charter van/bus, and by charter flight. Missoula, MT is the closest major airpot. Missoula is about 3.5 hrs from Salmon.
Travel Options between Missoula Airport or Boise Airport and Salmon, ID
All Major Rental Car Companies are available at the Missoula and Boise Airports.
Sawtooth Flying Service, Inc. (Charter Flights)
- 208-634-7774
- https://www.sawtoothflying.com
- Great views river over central Idaho backcountry.
- See Travel Details below for additional information regarding rates.
Rental Car
- Missoula Airport Rental Cars
- Boise Airport Rental Cars
- There are no drop off opportunities in Salmon during your trip.
Put-in / Beginning the Rafting Trip
We will leave Salmon around 7:30 am-9:30am. Put‑in for the Middle Fork varies with water, road, and weather conditions. Whenever possible, we put‑in at Boundary Creek. We provide bus transportation from Salmon to the airport. Your trip will start with a backcountry flight to either Bruce Meadows (Boundary Creek) or Indian Creek Airstrip. For the safety of the trip, we sometimes put‑in downstream at the Indian Creek or Thomas Airfields. Regardless of where we put in, the flight cost will around an additional $225/person that is not included in the trip price. We will send out flight payment links prior to your trip. We arrange the flights.
Takeout / End of Trip
Early afternoon the last day, we takeout at Cache Bar on the Main Salmon River, about three miles below the Mouth of the Middle Fork. From takeout, we provide bus transportation back to Salmon and the Stagecoach Inn. This is about 2 hours of driving time. Plan to arrive in Salmon around 3:00 p.m.
End of Trip Options
Following are options you have at the end of your river trip:
- Return to Salmon and spend the night at the Stagecoach Inn. We provide bus transportation back to Salmon. Once in Salmon, use your car, rental car, charter van, charter bus, or charter flight to return to Missoula or Boise or to go to your next destination.
- Charter a flight from Salmon, Idaho, to Missoula or Boise, during the afternoon of the last day of your trip. Plan to arrive in Boise at about 5:30 to 6:00 pm. We provide transportation from the Cache Bar takeout to the Salmon Airport. Sawtooth Flying Service, 208-634-7774.
Vehicle & Luggage Storage
You can store your vehicle & luggage at the Stagecoach Inn.
Trip Insurance & Responsibility
We encourage the purchase of Trip Cancellation, Accident, and Baggage Insurance Policies. These policies cover cancellation, personal property, and personal injury. Many insurance companies offer such policies.
HUGHES RIVER EXPEDITIONS, Inc. spares nothing to assure that all trips we outfit are the safest and best outfitted expeditions available. Our safety record is excellent. However, river running is not without some risk, and you as a potential river runner must be willing to assume this risk. HUGHES RIVER EXPEDITIONS, Inc. assumes no responsibility whatsoever for your personal safety or for damage or loss of your equipment.
We recommend Stefani Bennett with Haynes Creek Travel for Travel Insurance. You can reach her at 208-993-3032 or email her at [email protected].
We’re here to answer any and all of your questions!