Salmon River Canyons Raft Expedition
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
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
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
Put-in / Beginning the Trip
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
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.
Other Information
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].
We’re here to answer any and all of your questions!