Hughes River Expeditions

Trip Details

Salmon River Canyons

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Salmon River Canyons Raft Expedition

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Whitewater rafting trips on the “River of No Return” are one of the best family outdoor vacations available. The Salmon River drifts through quiet pools and surges into churning whitewater rapids.

Headquarters & Starting Point

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Holiday Inn and Quay Convention Center
700 Port Drive, Clarkston, WA 99403
Laurie Wilson Group Sales: (509) 758-9500

Request River Runners Rate.  Tell the desk that you are on a rafting trip with Hughes River Expeditions, Inc. Reservations at the Holiday Inn should be confirmed well in advance. Please be sure to contact the Holiday Inn as soon as you make your river trip reservations.

Getting to Lewiston

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Clarkston, WA is about 114 miles South of Spokane, Washington.  264 miles North of Boise, Idaho.  217 miles from Missoula, Montana.

Renting a car to drive from Spokane, WA to Clarkston, WA is the best way to get to and from the airport if flying into Spokane.

There are three airports in or near Lewiston.

  • Nez Perce Regional Airport (LWS) Lewiston, Idaho.  Small market airport.  Carriers:  Delta, and Delta Sky West.  Hells Canyon Grand Hotel provides complimentary van service between airport and hotel.
  • Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport (PUW) Between Pullman, Washington, and Moscow, Idaho.  45 miles from Lewiston.  Alaska Airlines, American Airlines.  Rental cars available.
  • Spokane International Airport (GEG) Spokane, Washington.  115 miles from Lewiston.  Carriers:  Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, United, Frontier.  All major rental car companies available.

Guest Experiences on The Salmon River Canyons

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  • C & J Nichols, Manhattan Beach, CA (2005)

    The boys worked so very hard to make our river experience a truly memorable one!!…I didn’t feel we were able to give them a proper good-bye! This being my only regret of a near-perfect trip; you have a great group working for you and we can’t wait to join you again soon.

  • Holgate, Boise, ID (2021)

    Thank you for the incredible experience you provided Stoltz on the river.  We were impressed with your impeccable service, capable (and FUN) guides, beautiful meals, and spectacular camps.  We are still reminiscing…..  Stoltz is forever grateful for the amazing trip and hope to do more with Hughes in the coming years!!

  • Hemmeter, SF, CA (2021)

    We had the best trip of all time and love the crew, 10 out of 10!

  • J. Best, 2019

    I have an annual rafting trip with an amazing group of women.  This year we met at the Lower Salmon in Lewiston Idaho.  The crew assigned to the Divas was great.  These guys worked HARD at making our trip everything it could be.  Amazing scenery, great fun, yummy food, great guides who are very fun… my face still hurts from laughing.  This trip was just what the Doctor ordered.

  • S. Broderick (2016)

    What a wonderful time we all had on the Salmon!  All of us are so grateful to have experienced such a special time.

  • D. Heilman (2019)

    As I drove home from Lewiston, I allowed myself to bathe in the memories of our family river float trip….kids enjoy the paddleboat, the kayaks, the hikes, the swims, the football, the leaping off columnar basalt into a most refreshing pool, spotting of wildlife…. the most remarkable of which were a group of Bighorn sheep performing a dance for us on a beach…river games the last night, the wonderful meals…fly fishing….  I wanted to get back to you with my expression of gratitude and recognition of the incredible dedication and hard work exhibited by the crew.

  • K. Deam (2019)

    We all had a marvelous time, the crew was the best, and it was a joy to be with Carole.  Hope to plan another trip!

  • D. Emmett, Santa Monica, CA (2016)

    “The team was great and everything went beautifully.  We hope to join you again next year or the year after.  We have a lot of budding boaters and everyone has a ball regardless of age or skills.  Keep it up!"

  • A. Davison, New York, NY (2016)

    “Thank you so much for a truly spectacular 5 days on the Salmon River.  We had high expectations, having heard rave reviews from family and friends, and you exceeded them all!  Our trip was a perfect combination of fun, beauty, sunshine, great food, wonderful company, exercise and relaxation.  The highlight, of course, was the superb team of Ashley, Buzz, Hardy, Hugh, Mark, Rob, and Tyler.  Their expertise, sense of humor and uncanny ability to real everyone’s needs perfectly made for an amazing experience.  We look forward to returning next year and will treasure the trip in the meantime!”

  • L. Larsen, Tacoma, WA (2016)

    “Boy, we sure had a great time.  Can’t wait to do it again.”

Put-in / Beginning the Trip

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We provide land transportation to put-in from Lewiston the morning of the first day of the trip. The drive is approximately 75 miles. Plan to leave Holiday Inn around 7:30 to 8:00 am on the first day of your trip.  Holiday Inn provides no charge parking, and a lock up room for luggage during your trip.

Take-out / End of Trip

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At lunch, downstream of the confluence of the Salmon and Snake rivers, we are met by a charter jet boat. The jet boat takes you approximately 60 miles down the Snake to Hells Gate State Park in Lewiston, ID. The Holiday Inn meets you there and returns the group to the Hotel. Plan to arrive at the Holiday Inn around 2:30-3:00 pm on the last day. Cost of the jet boat is included in trip price.

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Other Information

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Fishing

You can purchase an Idaho fishing license directly from Idaho Fish & Game Dept. Cost is $22.75 for the 1st day, and $7/day for each additional day. Children under 14 can fish on a license of an adult parent.

We provide sturgeon fishing gear, and ‘catch and release’ fishing for white sturgeon is great fun. Salmon River Sturgeon can reach more than 9 feet in length.

Vehicle & Luggage Storage

Vehicle and luggage storage during your float trip is available through the Holiday Inn. Check with the desk.

Weather

Summer is very warm. Daytime temperatures may range from 65 to 110 degrees.

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 some 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 at Haynes Creek Travel for Travel Insurance. You can reach her at 208-993-3032 or email her at [email protected]

Salmon River Canyons sitting on boat

We’re here to answer any and all of your questions!

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