Hughes River Expeditions

Hughes River Expeditions

Salmon River Rafting Trips

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Specialty Rafting Trips

These specialty rafting trips in Idaho are a Hughes tradition, they highlight special events, special trip focus, or simply an activity that we “outfit & guide” rarely. If you have an idea for a cool trip let us know. We’ll work with you to make it a reality!

*The below SPECIALTY TRIPS are listed in chronological order.*


TRIP: Hot Springs & Hikers Special

RIVER: Middle Fork of the Salmon

Our Annual Hot-Springs & Hikers trip is a blast!  With strong flows in early June we have the ability to put the breaks on and make sure we explore the many hiking opportunities, hot-springs and other riverside attractions that make the Middle Fork Salmon river so special!  Don’t miss your chance to relax in the wilderness in a hot water pool or atop a mountain with scenic views for miles!

Trip Dates

  • June 4-8, 2023
  • 5 Days/4 Nights

Rates

  • $2885/adult; $2725/youth

We are now booking Middle Fork Salmon River Trips for 2023!  To learn more or book a trip click the link below!

Price doesn’t include $4/person/day US Forest Recreation Enhancement Act Fee or $150/person flight, Stanley to the river put-in, payable directly to the pilots at the time of your flight.

Book Our Middle Fork Salmon Hotsprings & Hikers 


TRIP: Fourth of July

RIVER: Salmon River Canyons or the Main Salmon River of No Return

Celebrate the 4th of July in the Central Idaho Backcountry and the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness!  Beautiful sand beaches, fun whitewater, and amazing canyon-lands make this the perfect spot to relax your way through the holidays!

Salmon River Canyons Trip Dates

  • July 2-5, 2023
  • 4 Days/3 Nights

Salmon River Canyons Rates

  • $1885/adult; $1780/youth

Main Salmon River of No Return Trip Dates

  • July 2-7, 2023
  • 6 Days/5 Nights

Main Salmon River of No Return Rates

  • $2600/adult; $2475/youth

Book Our Salmon River Canyons 4th of July Trip

Book Our Main Salmon River of No Return 4th of July Trip


TRIP: Perseids Meteor Shower Trips

RIVER: Main Salmon River & Salmon River Canyons

The Persieds Meteor Shower is impressive in Idaho!  The shower peaks on August 10-13 and the amazing dark skies in the Idaho Back Country around the Salmon River Canyons makes it the best place to be for viewing!  We are very excited to be in the canyon for this shower!

Main Salmon River Trip Dates

  • August 11-16, 2023
  • 6 Days/5 Nights

Rates

  • $2600/adult; $2475/youth

We are now booking Main Salmon – River of No Return Trips for 2022!  To learn more or book a trip click the link below.

Book Our Main Salmon – River of No Return Persieds Meteor Shower Trip

Salmon River Canyons

  • August 12-15, 2023

Rates

  • $1885/adult; $1780/youth

We are now booking Salmon River Canyons Trips for 2023!  To learn more or book a trip click the link below.

Book Our Salmon River Canyons Persieds Meteor Shower Trip


TRIP: Jazz/Folk/Western Fusion Trip

RIVER: Main Salmon River of No Return

Screenshot 2023 04 21 at 9.45.53 AM

 

We have added a second Jazz Trip into the mix this year!  Our Jazz Trio or Quintet (year to year) plays for an hour to two hours prior to dinner each evening.  This is a very special trip that has been such a fan favorite we decided we better add another one!  They book up quickly so don’t wait until the last minute!

Meet the Band:

Georgia Parker – Guitar & Vocals

Georgia is a touring musician in Texas.  We are incredibly fortunate to have her on this trip and she will lead the band with amazing vocal talents and fun jazzy- western folk fusion style that will make for an amazing campfire serenade!

Jacob Smith – Guitar & Vocals

Jacob is a longtime family friend and guide on the Central Idaho Rivers and the connection to this group of musicians.  Jacob will accompany Georgia and Alexi in the band.  He is a fantastic guitar player and singer!

Alexi Byrnes – Fiddle & Vocals

Alexi is a renowned fiddle player and has played around Central Idaho in several bands!  We are thrilled to have her out with us and know that this trio (possibly a quartet – looking for a 4th) will bring down the camp with their fun fusion style!

Trip Dates

  • August 27-Sept. 1, 2023
  • 6 Days/5 Nights

Rates

  • $2600/adult; $2475/youth

Price doesn’t include $4/person/day US Forest Recreation Enhancement Act Fee or $150/person flight, Stanley to the river put-in, payable directly to the pilots at the time of your flight.

Book Our Main Salmon River Jazz Fusion Trip


TRIP: Jazz Trip

RIVER: Middle Fork of the Salmon

jazz-trip-2017-3

Our Jazz Trio or Quintet (year to year) plays for an hour prior to dinner each evening.  This is a very special trip that has become a fan favorite!  It books up quickly so don’t wait until the last minute!

Trip Dates

  • September 2-7, 2023
  • 6 Days/5 Nights

Rates

  • $3150/adult; $2995/youth

We are now booking Middle Fork Salmon River Trips for 2022!  To learn more or book a trip click the link below!

Price doesn’t include $4/person/day US Forest Recreation Enhancement Act Fee or $150/person flight, Stanley to the river put-in, payable directly to the pilots at the time of your flight.

Book Our Middle Fork Jazz Trip


TRIP: Cast & Blast

RIVER: Middle Fork of the Salmon

Enjoy the wild & scenic Middle Fork during Idaho’s Indian Summer. Fly fish for wild, westslope cutthroat trout in gin clear water. For full details check our our Middle Fork of the Salmon page.

This trip gives you the chance to explore the amazing Central Idaho Wilderness terrain with your shotgun in hand and “man’s best friend” by your side.  Between hiking the country side looking for Grouse and Chucker Partridge to floating down the gin clear water chasing West-Slope Cutthroat Trout this is a trip you won’t want to miss!

Trip Dates

  • September 28-October 3, 2023
  • 6 Days/ 5 Nights

Rates

  • $3960/Angler (based on 2 anglers/boat/guide)

We are now booking Middle Fork Salmon River Trips for 2023!  To learn more or book a trip click the link below!

Price doesn’t include $4/person/day US Forest Recreation Enhancement Act Fee or $150/person flight, Stanley to the river put-in, payable directly to the pilots at the time of your flight. Indian Creek Airfield to begin the trip.  

Book Your Middle Fork Cast & Blast 


TRIP: Cast & Blast

RIVER: Salmon River Canyons

This is another trip we are very excited to announce!  Steelhead & Small-Mouth Bass fishing and Chuckar-Partridge hunting!  There are a lot of techniques out there for steelhead fishing and we are happy to cater to them all!! The classics are pulling plugs and spey fishing and we are happy to have a mix of different styles on the trips!  Bring your gun, your rod and your dog if you’d like and this is sure to be a trip you aren’t soon to forget!

Trip Dates

  • September 16-21, 2023
  • 6 Days/ 5 Nights

Trip Rates

  • $3450/Angler (based on 2 anglers/boat/guide)

*Charter opportunity for exclusivity available to groups of 8 or more!

We are now booking Salmon River Canyons Trips for 2023!  To learn more or book a trip click the link below!

Book Your Salmon River Canyons Cast & Blast Trip 

River Trips

  • Main Salmon – River of No Return
  • Selway River
  • Middle Fork of the Salmon River
  • Salmon River Canyons
  • Specialty Rafting Trips
  • Family Rafting Trips in Idaho

Client Testimonials

…the trip of a liftetime…. I miss it all more than I imagined….Marilee and I have so much respect for the guides as professionals but even more so as very special people of impressive character… The river was gorgeous…the food was amazing…. Hope also to see you all next year.
E. Koch (2019) 
We all had a blast. Thanks so much for putting together such a great team. Now I have to drag my wife and little girl out there, but I will need a Four Seasons Hotel to stop at each night!!
F. Scherma, Santa Monica, CA (2008)
The guides were amazing, they tended to every need, every questions, Skip took great care of the fishermen, he never ran out of stories, Devon handled the kayakers with grace and skill,… she and Mike were so cool, Hugh was ever the gentle man, always able to tell stories about the canyon, Tony of course was always watching over everyone to be sure things went well and safe, Mike was so awesome, Jon can sure play the harmonica… and of course Marshall, he kept everyone laughing… Every meal w… Read more
L. Tate, Walla Walla, WA (2013)
I can never thank you, Carole, and our wonderful guides, Josh, Tony, Mike, and Ben enough for providing that amazing … lifetime experience.  There are no words.  You’re our new extended family….  I frequently replay one video on my phone which brings me right back to the calm and peaceful days on the river.  What I wouldn’t give to be there right now.
M. Frazier-Koch (2019)
I enjoyed this trip as much as any of the many I’ve been privileged to be on with Hughes. You and the crew were excellent … assuring our safety and enjoyment of this awesome river. The power of the high water will remain with me forever…
J. McKay, Seattle, WA (2011)
What a wonderful trip and fantastic guides!  Thank you!
Dolezal, Chester, ID (2021)
Let me begin by stating that I never write a review unless someone is incredible!  Well, these guys were incredible!  I have been on several river trips before and nothing compares to Hughes.  I’m serious!  They have all new equipment, are incredibly knowledgeable, safe, friendly and really love what they do!  We had a lot of small children on the trip and these guys were careful.  We did some fun hikes.. Everything was absolutely amazing – especially the food!… Finally, and most importantly, th… Read more
K. Greenwood, Eden, UT  (2018)
How fortunate we all were to be with Hughes on this biggest adventure of our lives. When the 6 of us got back to Boise last Thursday night, we agreed it was the best vacation we had ever had. Thank you for providing the ingredients that made it so wonderful. Your boatman crew is superb… The food was over-the-top good…. We never felt rushed – the pieces of each day seemed to fit just right… We learned so many new things and were challenged to try things we’d never done. What a memory we… Read more
The Moores, Durham, NC (2008)
Please convey to Carole, to Jerry, and to all the wonderful guides and staff, my appreciation for a truly first-class trip on the Middle Fork. It really did exceed my already high expectations and I look forward to doing it again someday.
Ralph Rodgers, Knoxville, TN (2008)
The Snake Man, It was unanimous that all had a great time. I think we have passed the torch to the next generation… I spent most of my boat time with Colin aka Snake Jr. There were times when he would say things that would freak me out because he sounded so much like you. I would have to turn around to make sure I wasn’t in a time warp. It was like you were on the oars. Good to see you my friend.
T. Lilljedahl, Austin, TX (2014)
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