Interested in kayaking Idaho's Middle Fork Salmon River in your own kayak or creek boat with raft support from us? One possibility that's always available is paddling along on any of our regular Middle Fork Salmon River whitewater raft trips, as described on our Summer Rafting page.

    A second possibility is to join one of our special kayak support raft trips. Each year, we promote our late May and early June dates as 5-day kayak support raft trips (water levels and sufficient bookings permitting). And, if you already have a large group interested in kayaking with raft support (or most kayaking with a few wanting to ride rafts), we can also run kayak support trips on any of our launch dates. Call early for best choice of dates.

    Specialty kayak raft-supported trips feature longer hours on the water each day to maximize play time, a hot beverage or soup with lunch each day (during colder early season trips), and sometimes we'll even invite along Pete Patterson from Sun Valley, Idaho (or other world-class kayakers), to lead the descent. To maximize safety, our kayak raft support also includes putting at least one of our rescue-trained guides in a lead kayak for you to follow, and others in accompanying safety rafts, complete with rescue ropes and equipment. And, as always, our oversized gear boat will go ahead of the kayakers each day in order to have camp set up and waiting when you arrive, complete with a hot shower, tents, sleeping bags, Therma-Rest pads, hors d'oeuvres, gourmet food in the making, and dessert already baking in the dutch oven!

Skill prerequisites:

    You must be experienced enough to navigate the entire river, consisting of class II-IV whitewater, under our lead. Your whitewater skills must include a very reliable river roll. This is not a trip for beginners in May and early June when the water flows generally peak, and the Middle Fork is at its coldest (definitely bring your drysuit). The river drops an average of over 30 feet per mile, with some sections dropping well over 50 feet per mile. If you're not of advanced skill, come later in the summer when the river is less pushy. Because we can't possibly stop and scout from shore every rapid in the 102-mile descent, you need to be very good at reading water. You will be expected to adhere to all our usual whitewater safety regulations.

Reserve a spot today. Then, simply show up with your kayak and clothes for the wilderness whitewater kayaking adventure of a lifetime!

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    For those desiring the ultimate in exclusivity, a party may purchase all 23 seats on their chosen launch date, making it a custom Member's Only trip! It's our pleasure to cater a rafting trip around your group's specific needs, whether it be for your club, friends, family, or corporate retreats (team-building, client entertaining, staff development, etc.). Even strangers bond through the teamwork of crewing a paddle boat through rapids and the shared adventure of wilderness travel. Mealtimes, as well as long evenings around the campfire, are the perfect opportunity for your special speakers, group activities, workshops, or discussions. Usually, to get all 23 seats on your choice of date, you will need to call several months to a year in advance. Many of our charter groups prefer to bring fewer than 23 people, keeping it small and intimate. Others opt to fill those extra paid seats with additional specialty staff or celebrity guests, as described below.

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    A group of any size can purchase an extra seat or two, allowing them the luxury of specialty staff . Back rub, anyone?! Or how about bringing a nanny for the kids? A videographer, fly-tying or kayaking instructor, geologist, or wine expert? Simply let us know well in advance whatever kind of special staff your party would enjoy having along and we'll see what we can do.

    Or perhaps your party would like to buy an extra seat and invite along your favorite musician, speaker, pastor, or other celebrity guest. Just write them a letter of invitation and include one of our brochures...who wouldn't be delighted with a free Middle Fork wilderness expedition?!

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    Some folks just can't get away for our full 5-day trip. By using a backcountry air taxi, such guests can sometimes hook up with us for just the upper or just the lower half of the river. This isn't always feasible, depending on bookings and/or mother nature, so please give us a call to discuss this year's possibilities.

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