Middle Fork of the Salmon Trip Details

Orientation Meeting Place: Mountain Village Lodge, Stanley, Idaho
Orientation Meeting Time: 8:00 PM the evening before your start date
Trip Departure Time: 8:00 AM on your trip start date

ECHO provides the following as part of your trip:

Pre-trip orientation meeting in Stanley, ID
Transportation from Stanley to the river
Transportation from the river back to Salmon, ID
5 or 6 days of rafting on the Middle Fork
All on-river meals
Camp chairs
Tent (by request)
Freshly laundered sleeping bag and pad (by request)
Waterproof bags for your personal gear
ECHO cup

You are responsible for:

Meals and lodging before and after your trip
Personal clothing and other miscellaneous items
Guide gratuities (see below)

Off-River Transportation We can arrange off-river transportation for you at an additional cost. For those flying commercially to Boise, we will arrange a scenic small plane shuttle from Boise to Stanley before your trip and from Salmon to Boise after the trip.

If you are driving to Stanley, we can have your car shuttled to meet you in Salmon at the end of the trip.

When to Travel

Plan to arrive in Stanley the day before your trip start date. Salmon Air shuttle service from Boise to Stanley is available between 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Plan to leave Salmon the day after your trip ends. If you fly out of Boise, schedule your flight to depart after 11:00 AM.

How to Get There

If You Fly The closest commercial airport is Boise, ID. United, Delta, Alaska, America West, Northwest, and Southwest service Boise. Please plan your flight into Boise so that it arrives by 4:00 PM the day before your river trip. If you arrange your air shuttle to Stanley with us, collect your baggage and proceed to the Salmon Air counter which is located on the lower level next to baggage claim. Salmon Air will schedule you for the first available flight and a typical wait time is 30 to 90 minutes. If your arrival is delayed, please call Salmon Air as soon as possible to discuss alternate plans. The phone number for Salmon Air is (800) 448-3413.

If You Drive If you are traveling through Boise you can reach Stanley via Highway 21. The drive takes about three hours. If you are traveling through Twin Falls take Route 75 north, about three hours. ECHO can arrange to have your car shuttled from Stanley to Salmon, where you will be at the end of the river trip. The cost of gas is not included in the shuttle fee so you should have a full tank of gas or enough cash to cover the cost of the 117-mile shuttle. While you are on the river, your vehicle will be safely stored.

Where to Stay

Make reservations well in advance. ECHO does not make reservations or cover the cost of your room. We recommend you stay the night before your trip at the Mountain Village Lodge in Stanley (ECHO has a block of rooms reserved up to two weeks before your start date), and the night after at the Stagecoach Inn in Salmon. Wherever you stay, please mention that you are on an ECHO trip.

Prices based on double occupancy

In Stanley

Mountain Village Lodge (800) 843-5475 or (208) 774-3661 (about $90)

In Salmon

Stagecoach Inn (208) 756-4251 (about $75)
Wagons West (800) 756-4281 or (208) 756-4281 (about $50 - $60)

Trip Outline

The Orientation Meeting The orientation meeting is at the Mountain Village Lodge in Stanley at 8:00 PM the evening before your trip begins. The head guide for your trip will meet with everyone to answer questions and pass out waterproof bags and other gear such as sleeping bags and pads. For those planning to buy hard alcohol in Idaho, state law limits sales to Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM. Stanley is a small, charming town at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains. There are several great places to eat within walking distance of your room.

The Morning of your Trip At 8 AM a chartered bus will be waiting in front of the Mountain Village Lodge for the five minute drive to the airfield and a 30-minute flight to the Indian Creek put-in. When water conditions permit we will start 25 miles upstream at Boundary Creek. The trip to Boundary Creek is a one-hour bus ride from Stanley. Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast.

On the River The pace of your river trip is very dependent on the water level! You will usually spend four to six hours a day on the river. Breakfast is served about 8 AM and you are on the water by about 10 AM. There will be a stop mid-day for lunch and maybe some short hikes. You will arrive at camp in late afternoon, allowing time to hike and relax before we serve dinner. If you are new to camping the guides will be happy to help you.

After the Trip Your trip ends with lunch near the confluence of the Middle Fork and Main Salmon. A charter bus takes you to the town of Salmon, about two hours away, usually arriving in Salmon between 4 and 6 PM. Plan to spend the night after your trip in Salmon. Guests often share a no-host goodbye dinner at a local restaurant. If you are flying, Salmon Air will fly you to Boise the next morning. Please plan your flight out of Boise no earlier than 11:00 AM.

Your Personal Responsibility

We handle trip logistics, provide the food and rafting equipment, and make sure that you have knowledgeable and well-trained guides. We see to it that you are comfortable and safe, and that you see the Middle Fork's special places. However, we do have some expectations of you:

1. We expect that you will bring adequate clothing, based on the information we have provided (What to Bring), and that your sleeping bag, pad, and personal gear will fit the size requirements of our waterproof bags (17" diameter by 32" tall).

2. We ask that you approach your trip with an open mind for adventure and discovery.

Additional Information

Fishing Fishing on the Middle Fork of the Salmon is excellent. It is, however, a protected area and fishing is catch and release (you must use single, barbless hooks and everything caught must be put back). Non-residents of Idaho must buy a special Angler's Vacation License that can be purchased with a credit card by calling (800) 554-8685 or (800) 824-3729. You can also purchase one online from Idaho Fish and Game.

If time allows, a license can be purchased at McCoy's Tackle Shop in Stanley (208) 774-3377. We recommend collapsible poles for ease in packing.

Guides Our guides have a deep appreciation for the rivers we run and want you to enjoy your trip with them. They are happy to help you if you are an inexperienced camper or have questions about the river. ECHO guides are accomplished in outdoor skills and extensively trained in first aid and CPR. The Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board licenses all guides in Idaho. In addition, the guides are mature, interesting people we think you'll enjoy.

Gratuities We are often asked if tipping is appropriate. Tips are certainly appreciated by our guides. Tips normally range from 5% to 10% of the trip cost. Whether and how much you tip should depend on your satisfaction with the trip, your feelings about tipping, and your financial means. At the end of the trip guests usually give their tip to the head guide, who will split it equally among the crew.

Equipment ECHO provides boats, life jackets, waterproof bags, and a limited number of waterproof boxes for cameras and small personal items such as binoculars. We recommend you bring a ziplock plastic bag as a liner for your camera and purchase camera insurance, or better yet, a disposable waterproof camera. ECHO also provides cups, plates, eating utensils, and camp chairs.

Meals and Alcohol ECHO provides all meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day. We specialize in creative and delicious meals, and excellent Dutch oven cookery. Guides will prepare your meals using a variety of fresh foods. Vegetarian and medically restricted diets will gladly be accommodated with advance notice. Fruit juice and water are available with every meal, wine is often served with dinner, and coffee, tea, and cocoa are available at breakfast and dinner.

In camp, beer and sodas are provided (up to two cans per person per day). Additional beverages may be brought but must be in unbreakable containers. For your safety, drinking of alcoholic beverages on the river during the day is not allowed.

Environmental Concerns Depending on where the group camps, we will be using port-a-potties or outhouses. While not like the comforts of home, when setting up toilet facilities, we are conscious of privacy needs as well as environmental impact. To protect the river, we carry out all trash and use no soap in the river. The guides will instruct you in simple procedures that minimize the impact of our group on the canyon, and we ask for your cooperation.

Cancellations and Travel Insurance We strictly adhere to our cancellation policies as explained on your (or your group organizer's) reservation form. Trip capacity is strictly regulated by law and your reservation may mean we cannot sell space to others. Because of this, Travel Insurance is strongly recommended. It will reimburse you if you make a late cancellation because of illness or an illness in the family. Otherwise you are welcome to find a friend to replace you. Call if you did not receive a Travel Insurance form or a copy of ECHO's cancellation policy and would like one.

Registration Form & Health Information Rafting trips are not strenuous, but you should be in good health. If there are any medical considerations (such as allergies, heart conditions, etc.) or dietary restrictions we should know about, please put them on the registration form or call us. We ask that you return the form to our office well in advance of your trip.

Anything Else? Please contact our office if you have any questions about your trip. Once you are on the river, our guides will be happy to answer questions or assist you. We welcome any suggestions you have and want you to enjoy your river trip.

What Next?

Call us at (800) 652-3246. We love to talk about our trips!
Email This Page to friends and family.

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We love to talk about our trips! (800) 652-3246 Or use our handy contact form Email this page Share ECHO with friends and family The Green Company Learn more about our commitment Get more information Request a brochure	Trip Details for the Middle Fork of the Salmon Orientation Meeting Place: Mountain Village Lodge, Stanley, Idaho Orientation Meeting Time: 8:00 PM the evening before your start date Trip Departure Time: 8:00 AM on your trip start date ECHO provides the following as part of your trip: Pre-trip orientation meeting in Stanley, ID Transportation from Stanley to the river Transportation from the river back to Salmon, ID 5 or 6 days of rafting on the Middle Fork All on-river meals Camp chairs Tent (by request) Freshly laundered sleeping bag and pad (by request) Waterproof bags for your personal gear ECHO cup You are responsible for: Meals and lodging before and after your trip Personal clothing and other miscellaneous items Guide gratuities (see below) Off-River Transportation We can arrange off-river transportation for you at an additional cost. For those flying commercially to Boise, we will arrange a scenic small plane shuttle from Boise to Stanley before your trip and from Salmon to Boise after the trip. If you are driving to Stanley, we can have your car shuttled to meet you in Salmon at the end of the trip. When to Travel Plan to arrive in Stanley the day before your trip start date. Salmon Air shuttle service from Boise to Stanley is available between 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Plan to leave Salmon the day after your trip ends. If you fly out of Boise, schedule your flight to depart after 11:00 AM. How to Get There If You Fly The closest commercial airport is Boise, ID. United, Delta, Alaska, America West, Northwest, and Southwest service Boise. Please plan your flight into Boise so that it arrives by 4:00 PM the day before your river trip. If you arrange your air shuttle to Stanley with us, collect your baggage and proceed to the Salmon Air counter which is located on the lower level next to baggage claim. Salmon Air will schedule you for the first available flight and a typical wait time is 30 to 90 minutes. If your arrival is delayed, please call Salmon Air as soon as possible to discuss alternate plans. The phone number for Salmon Air is (800) 448-3413. If You Drive If you are traveling through Boise you can reach Stanley via Highway 21. The drive takes about three hours. If you are traveling through Twin Falls take Route 75 north, about three hours. ECHO can arrange to have your car shuttled from Stanley to Salmon, where you will be at the end of the river trip. The cost of gas is not included in the shuttle fee so you should have a full tank of gas or enough cash to cover the cost of the 117-mile shuttle. While you are on the river, your vehicle will be safely stored. Where to Stay Make reservations well in advance. ECHO does not make reservations or cover the cost of your room. We recommend you stay the night before your trip at the Mountain Village Lodge in Stanley (ECHO has a block of rooms reserved up to two weeks before your start date), and the night after at the Stagecoach Inn in Salmon. Wherever you stay, please mention that you are on an ECHO trip. Prices based on double occupancy In Stanley Mountain Village Lodge (800) 843-5475 or (208) 774-3661 (about $90) In Salmon Stagecoach Inn (208) 756-4251 (about $75) Wagons West (800) 756-4281 or (208) 756-4281 (about $50 - $60) Trip Outline The Orientation Meeting The orientation meeting is at the Mountain Village Lodge in Stanley at 8:00 PM the evening before your trip begins. The head guide for your trip will meet with everyone to answer questions and pass out waterproof bags and other gear such as sleeping bags and pads. For those planning to buy hard alcohol in Idaho, state law limits sales to Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM. Stanley is a small, charming town at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains. There are several great places to eat within walking distance of your room. The Morning of your Trip At 8 AM a chartered bus will be waiting in front of the Mountain Village Lodge for the five minute drive to the airfield and a 30-minute flight to the Indian Creek put-in. When water conditions permit we will start 25 miles upstream at Boundary Creek. The trip to Boundary Creek is a one-hour bus ride from Stanley. Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast. On the River The pace of your river trip is very dependent on the water level! You will usually spend four to six hours a day on the river. Breakfast is served about 8 AM and you are on the water by about 10 AM. There will be a stop mid-day for lunch and maybe some short hikes. You will arrive at camp in late afternoon, allowing time to hike and relax before we serve dinner. If you are new to camping the guides will be happy to help you. After the Trip Your trip ends with lunch near the confluence of the Middle Fork and Main Salmon. A charter bus takes you to the town of Salmon, about two hours away, usually arriving in Salmon between 4 and 6 PM. Plan to spend the night after your trip in Salmon. Guests often share a no-host goodbye dinner at a local restaurant. If you are flying, Salmon Air will fly you to Boise the next morning. Please plan your flight out of Boise no earlier than 11:00 AM. Your Personal Responsibility We handle trip logistics, provide the food and rafting equipment, and make sure that you have knowledgeable and well-trained guides. We see to it that you are comfortable and safe, and that you see the Middle Fork's special places. However, we do have some expectations of you: 1. We expect that you will bring adequate clothing, based on the information we have provided (What to Bring), and that your sleeping bag, pad, and personal gear will fit the size requirements of our waterproof bags (17" diameter by 32" tall). 2. We ask that you approach your trip with an open mind for adventure and discovery. Additional Information Fishing Fishing on the Middle Fork of the Salmon is excellent. It is, however, a protected area and fishing is catch and release (you must use single, barbless hooks and everything caught must be put back). Non-residents of Idaho must buy a special Angler's Vacation License that can be purchased with a credit card by calling (800) 554-8685 or (800) 824-3729. You can also purchase one online from Idaho Fish and Game. If time allows, a license can be purchased at McCoy's Tackle Shop in Stanley (208) 774-3377. We recommend collapsible poles for ease in packing. Guides Our guides have a deep appreciation for the rivers we run and want you to enjoy your trip with them. They are happy to help you if you are an inexperienced camper or have questions about the river. ECHO guides are accomplished in outdoor skills and extensively trained in first aid and CPR. The Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board licenses all guides in Idaho. In addition, the guides are mature, interesting people we think you'll enjoy. Gratuities We are often asked if tipping is appropriate. Tips are certainly appreciated by our guides. Tips normally range from 5% to 10% of the trip cost. Whether and how much you tip should depend on your satisfaction with the trip, your feelings about tipping, and your financial means. At the end of the trip guests usually give their tip to the head guide, who will split it equally among the crew. Equipment ECHO provides boats, life jackets, waterproof bags, and a limited number of waterproof boxes for cameras and small personal items such as binoculars. We recommend you bring a ziplock plastic bag as a liner for your camera and purchase camera insurance, or better yet, a disposable waterproof camera. ECHO also provides cups, plates, eating utensils, and camp chairs. Meals and Alcohol ECHO provides all meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day. We specialize in creative and delicious meals, and excellent Dutch oven cookery. Guides will prepare your meals using a variety of fresh foods. Vegetarian and medically restricted diets will gladly be accommodated with advance notice. Fruit juice and water are available with every meal, wine is often served with dinner, and coffee, tea, and cocoa are available at breakfast and dinner. In camp, beer and sodas are provided (up to two cans per person per day). Additional beverages may be brought but must be in unbreakable containers. For your safety, drinking of alcoholic beverages on the river during the day is not allowed. Environmental Concerns Depending on where the group camps, we will be using port-a-potties or outhouses. While not like the comforts of home, when setting up toilet facilities, we are conscious of privacy needs as well as environmental impact. To protect the river, we carry out all trash and use no soap in the river. The guides will instruct you in simple procedures that minimize the impact of our group on the canyon, and we ask for your cooperation. Cancellations and Travel Insurance We strictly adhere to our cancellation policies as explained on your (or your group organizer's) reservation form. Trip capacity is strictly regulated by law and your reservation may mean we cannot sell space to others. Because of this, Travel Insurance is strongly recommended. It will reimburse you if you make a late cancellation because of illness or an illness in the family. Otherwise you are welcome to find a friend to replace you. Call if you did not receive a Travel Insurance form or a copy of ECHO's cancellation policy and would like one. Registration Form & Health Information Rafting trips are not strenuous, but you should be in good health. If there are any medical considerations (such as allergies, heart conditions, etc.) or dietary restrictions we should know about, please put them on the registration form or call us. We ask that you return the form to our office well in advance of your trip. Anything Else? Please contact our office if you have any questions about your trip. Once you are on the river, our guides will be happy to answer questions or assist you. We welcome any suggestions you have and want you to enjoy your river trip. What Next? Call us at (800) 652-3246. We love to talk about our trips! Email This Page to friends and family.
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Trip Details for the Middle Fork of the Salmon