Middle Fork Trip Details
For our Middle Fork of the Salmon rafting trips, we meet in either Stanley, ID or Salmon, ID (depending on the time of season) 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). HRE provides van transportation for trips beginning at Boundary Creek.
For other trips we fly to the river with bush pilots the morning of the first day. Cost of these flights, when required, is not included in the price of your trip. We provide bus transportation back to Stanley or Salmon from Cache Bar takeout.
Headquarters & Starting Point
Meet at the River 1 store front in Stanley, ID or 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.
River 1 is an outdoor sports and apparel store front located a short walk from the Mountain Village Lodge on Scenic Route 75 in Stanley. While at River 1 you can purchase outdoor clothing and equipment for the river trip at 15% off retail. And, River 1 sells fishing licenses and tackle.
Lodging in Stanley and Salmon
For Stanley: We recommend making reservations at the Mountain Village Lodge between October 15th and December 31st the year before your trip. This window of time is exclusive to outfitter guests. Let them know you are traveling with Hughes River Expeditions. Call our office if you have any questions.
Mountain Village Lodge
3 Eva Falls Ave
Stanley, ID 83278
800‑843‑5475 or 208-774‑3661
www.mountainvillage.com
The Mountain Village Lodge provides a lock up room and parking during your trip. A $15/vehicle parking fee is charged. Mountain Village Lodge provides an annual early booking period exclusively for outfitter guests – October 15th to December 31st. Beginning January 1st annually, the rooms are booked on a first come/first served basis. When you call the Mountain Village to book a room, let them know that you are on a trip with Hughes River Expeditions, Inc. If you have trouble with room reservations, call our office. We will do our best to help find reservations in Stanley.
For 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 Stanley, ID
Stanley, Idaho, can be reached by automobile, charter van/bus, and by charter flight. If you are driving, Stanley is located at the junction of Scenic Routes 21 and 75 at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains. 130 miles from Boise on Highway 21. 60 Miles from Ketchum/Sun Valley on Highway 75.
Travel Options between Boise Airport and Stanley
All Major Rental Car Companies are available at the Boise Airport.
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.
Sawtooth Transportation (Ground Transportation)
- 208-869-2536
- https://sawtoothtrans.com
- Stanley to Boise/Boise to Stanley
Rental Car
- Boise Airport Rental Cars
- There are no drop off opportunities in Stanley during your trip.
Put-in / Beginning the Rafting Trip
We will leave Stanley around 7:30 am. 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 Stanley to the river (43 miles). However, for the safety of the trip, we sometimes put‑in downstream at the Indian Creek or Thomas Airfields. When we fly to the river, the $160/person cost of the flight is not included in the trip price. Plan to pay the pilots at the time of the flight (credit card or cash). We line up the flights.
Early June dates may require flights due to road closures or high water conditions. Early and mid-August dates often require flights due to low water flows. Late August & September trips are planned to fly in. Flight cost from Stanley to the river is $160/person when required by road, water, and weather conditions.
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 Stanley and the Mountain Village Lodge. 190 miles and about 4 ½ hours driving time. Plan to arrive in Stanley about 6:00 p.m.
End of Trip Options
Following are options you have at the end of your river trip:
- Return to Stanley and spend the night at the Mountain Village Lodge. We provide bus transportation back to Stanley. Once in Stanley, use your car, rental car, daily bus, charter van, charter bus, or charter flight to return to Boise or to go to your next destination.
- Charter a flight from Salmon, Idaho, to 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.
- Sawtooth Transportation provides vans and can be contacted at 208-869-2536 or https://sawtoothtrans.com
Vehicle & Luggage Storage
You can store your vehicle ($15 fee) & luggage at the Mountain Village Lodge. You can also arrange to have luggage transported to meet you in Salmon after the trip if you will fly from Salmon to Boise.
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!