Join us on a rafting adventure through North America’s deepest river gorge!
If you’ve joined us on our popular Salmon River experiences in the past, you’ll be excited to know that Hells Canyon is a fantastic next adventure for you. Bigger whitewater, rugged terrain, and the canyon’s best guides to make your trip special. Salmon Raft brings its expertise, unparalleled guest reviews, and high level of service to this stunning section of Wild and Scenic River. We hope you can join us!
Hells Canyon boasts an impressive depth of 7,910’ which makes it North America’s deepest river gorge. It follows the jagged peaks of the Seven Devils mountain range and creates the border between Idaho and Oregon. Most guests comment that the stunning landscapes seen in Hells Canyon really make you feel small! The whitewater is big and unrivaled in the West, with several big Class III and IV rapids. These trips also feature lots of extra activities to round out a multi-faceted adventure suitable for all adventure levels and abilities.
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is protected as a Designated Wild and Scenic river section. With a restriction on the number of launches and regulation by the United States Forest Service, a permitted trip in Hells Canyon means prime campsite selection and limited river users.
We offer the Hells Canyon experience in three, four, or five-day trip options. Most of the big whitewater is found on the three and four-day trips, while the five-day trip option features the opportunity for one more hike, more fishing, and a longer time to fully unplug. The most popular way to experience Hells Canyon is in four days – you hit all the major whitewater, historic sites, most of the hikes, pictographs, and great sturgeon holes. Plus the pacing is ideal for mellow days with plenty of time to do all of the extra exploring that the canyon offers.
Fishing in Hells Canyon is unbeatable, with guests commonly catching a dozen or more smallmouth bass per day. Bass fishing is relatively straightforward and all of your gear is provided and included (you’ll just need a fishing license). Other species often caught in Hells Canyon include trout and catfish. The canyon is also famous for its world class sturgeon fishing! These prehistoric fish range in size from about three to over ten feet long. Reeling in one of these beasts is often a group effort, and certainly a trip highlight.
One of the most special parts of Hells Canyon, aside from the powerful whitewater and awe-inspiring scenery, is the rich and unique history. Indigenous peoples have inhabited the canyon for over 10,000 years and we love to stop at all the historic sites to see homesteads turned into mini-museums and relax in old orchards to get a little shade break.
The camping in Hells Canyon is different than what you’ll find on the Lower Salmon River. Instead of big, sandy beaches, we typically camp up on bluffs above the river. This offers a unique perspective as well as ample opportunities for some exploring right from camp. Camp sites are usually accessed by a short hike through some rocks and dirt, but usually no more than a handful of steps from where we tie our boats off on shore. Tents are spaced out along dirt trails, with plenty of privacy from other group members.
Like all of Salmon Raft’s river trips, your experience will begin at our Boathouse in McCall. Your trip includes top-notch rafting gear, plush camping equipment, and a well-rounded menu prepared riverside by our guide staff. Multi-day experiences also include beer and wine, endless fresh drinking water, and a selection of non-alcoholic beverages, as well as daytime snacks.
Salmon Raft guides truly set us apart and are our guests’ most frequently mentioned highlight about their river experience. Aside from what we consider to be basic duties – like setting up and taking down tents, doing all the cooking and cleaning, and safely navigating the challenging whitewater – our guides are incredible men and women who are a pleasure to spend several days on the river with. They are professional and personable, kind and funny, knowledgeable and hard-working. We are also proud to staff a balanced crew of roughly 50% women, and some years we even tip the scales above that! Constellation spotters, chefs, role models, beach game experts, and back-flippers off the raft – we truly couldn’t ask for a better crew. We are positive that you’ll enjoy their company as well.
To see available launch dates, please click the big, gold “book online” button. All of our multi-day trips can be booked through this platform. Or if you prefer to book the old-fashioned way, we are always eager to take your phone calls or answer your email messages: 800-350-6654 | info@salmonraft.com
| Three Days | Four Days | Five Days |
|---|---|---|
| $1200 / adult, $975 / youth under 18 | $1550 / adult, $1250 / youth under 18 | $1750 / adult, $1400 / youth under 18 |
| Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing (34 miles) | Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing (34 miles) | Hells Canyon Dam to Heller Bar (81 miles) |
Prices do not include optional guide gratuities, pre- and post-trip lodging in McCall, or a $10 per person per day service fee from the governing bodies.
Please note that you will receive a comprehensive and detailed packing list when you book your trip. Here is a brief snapshot below:
All of the equipment to keep you safe and comfortable on your overnight trip is included and provided by Salmon Raft. A dry bag will be provided to keep your personal items dry and safe while you’re on the water. Salmon Raft provides all camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and food beginning with lunch on Day 1 and ending with lunch on the last day).
Items for your overnight dry bag (this will not be accessible during the day – it will be waiting for you at camp when we arrive late afternoon):
Items for your day dry bag (you will have this with you in the raft for easy access during the day):
What to wear during the day on the water:
Please try to avoid bringing valuables, like jewelry or fragile items.
*Are you allergic to bees? Please remember your EpiPen and any other medications that you might need!
Click HERE for printable PDF of the following information.
Salmon Raft values each and every guest and we promise to work our hardest to gain and keep your trust for your first and future river adventures. We promise to communicate with efficiency and clarity. Your confirmed reservation implies that you have read and agree to the following terms, conditions, and policies.
| Trip Duration | Deposit Amount | Balance Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Single Day | 20% of trip cost | 30 days prior to launch date |
| Two & Three-Day | 30% of trip cost | 60 days prior to launch date |
| Four & Five-Day | 30% of trip cost | 60 days prior to launch date |
A non-refundable deposit confirms and secures your space on a trip. If reservations are made within the balance due date time frame, full payment is required to secure your space. Deposits are applied towards the final balance.
River usage fees are applied to each trip (3% to the BLM on Salmon River trips; $10/person/day to the USFS on Snake River Hells Canyon trips). Fees go to governing bodies to help pay for river management, facility maintenance, and river cleanup.
Deposits and payments made to Salmon Raft are non-refundable. Please understand that once you commit to a trip date, we lose the ability to sell those reserved spaces to other guests. We strongly encourage the purchase of trip insurance (through a third party) in order to mitigate the potential loss due to cancellations for personal reasons.
If you find the need to cancel your reservation for personal reasons (emergencies or otherwise), payments made to Salmon Raft will be treated as a credit that can be used for future trips, subject to the following policies: 1) Reservation credits can be used for up to two years after your initial reservation date; 2) Guests are responsible for the difference in cost if prices change from the time of booking to the new scheduled trip date; 3) You are welcome to find a replacement for yourself on the existing reservation for no charge or penalty.
Planning ahead is imperative to the smooth operation of our business; thus, cancellations made for personal reasons within 24 hours of the scheduled trip launch date will not be treated to a credit or rescheduling option.
If Salmon Raft cancels your reservation due to river flows, extreme weather, BLM/Forest Service/other government agency mandates, insufficient bookings*, or other conditions beyond our control, and Salmon Raft does not offer an alternate trip**, then all payments made to Salmon Raft will be returned. If you choose to not accept an alternate trip and/or choose to not reschedule your trip for a future date, your cancellation will be treated as a personal cancellation and will be subject to the “personal reasons” cancellation policy above. Unfortunately, we cannot be held responsible for expenses incurred as a result of such cancellations or date modifications (i.e. travel expenses, lodging reservations, etc.).
Salmon Raft reserves the right to choose or modify all launch sites and take-outs, trip mileage, as well as watercraft choices without notice.
*Minimum group size restrictions are applicable to each trip, and vary by day and trip type.
**Salmon Raft reserves the right to offer an alternate trip that will fit within your originally reserved itinerary.
Guests much treat the guides and fellow trip guests with kindness and respect. Harassment of any nature is not tolerated at Salmon Raft. Failure to adhere to this policy can result in removal from the trip at your expense.
Salmon Raft trips take place in remote locations, where evacuations can be challenging and expensive. It is our guests’ responsibility to carry appropriate insurance coverage, and additional coverages such as LifeFlight, or be prepared to cover the cost of any evacuations yourself. Evacuations and removal from trips can take place for emergency medical reasons or for not adhering to Salmon Raft’s policy for respectful conduct while on the river. Salmon Raft is not responsible for costs associated with these evacuations. Salmon Raft will cover the cost of evacuation if the river or weather poses an emergency threat to the trip.
We offer group discounts for group sizes of 12 or more guests. Please call in advance to arrange group discounts.
Private charter trips are available. Please call for rates and availability.
Salmon Raft is an equal opportunity recreation service provider and operates under Special Recreation Permits issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and United States Forest Service (USFS). Salmon Raft is fully licensed and bonded by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board (IOGLB) and Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB).
All above terms, conditions, and policies are subject to change without notice.
