Frequently Asked Questions

Most of our rafts are 16 feet long and comfortably hold eight passengers plus a guide. We can easily accommodate two to three smaller kids within this group without affecting performance or comfort. For those seeking a more adventurous ride, we also offer high-performance boats that seat four passengers plus a guide for a wilder, more exciting experience. We always do our best to keep groups together on the water! If needed, we can get creative with options like inflatable kayaks (duckies) to ensure everyone has a fun and memorable trip.

This is often a big concern for new rafters, but rest assured, we do everything we can to keep groups together! We keep small groups in the same boat. If your group is larger than a single raft can hold, we adjust with multiple smaller boats or add inflatable kayaks (duckies) for those wanting a more adventurous ride. Your group will run the river together, with plenty of opportunities to switch boats, water fight, and socialize throughout the trip. Many people find that, between the shared rapids and riverside fun, they’re constantly interacting and enjoying time together, making this a non-issue for most groups. If you’d like a private charter boat for your group, just reach out! We’re happy to work with you to customize your experience for a family, friend group, or corporate outing.

Multi-Day Trips: On most multi-day trips, we run a fleet of five rafts, which includes: 2 large gear boats – These boats carry camping gear and supplies. They also have room for a few passengers who prefer a relaxed, sit-back-and-enjoy-the-scenery ride. 3 paddle boats – In these boats, guests work together as a team, paddling through rapids under the guide’s direction. We often add a handful of inflatable kayaks (duckies) for those seeking extra adventure, depending on group dynamics and interest. Day Trips: For day trips, we are flexible and can mix and match boats to fit your group size, using a combination of paddle rafts, gear rafts, and inflatable kayaks for a fun, customized experience. Salmon River High Adventure Base: At our Salmon River High Adventure Base, where we host larger groups, we scale up the fleet with more rafts and boats to keep everyone together for a big, exciting day on the river. Let us know your group size, and we’ll organize the perfect fleet for your trip!

Mammoths are high-performance rafts that have become increasingly popular in recent years. Designed for speed, agility, and big water fun, these boats handle two to four passengers plus a guide. Why choose a Mammoth? Faster and lighter: They glide across the water and feel more responsive than traditional rafts. Catch more air: With their sleek design, they launch off waves, making rapids feel bigger and more exciting. Better in big water: Mammoths often fly over waves that standard rafts punch through, giving a thrilling ride with more splashes and adrenaline. If you’re looking for a wild and exciting ride, ask about Mammoths when booking your trip!

Yes! For those seeking a thrilling, more adventurous ride, we offer inflatable kayaks (duckies) on most of our trips. These single or tandem kayaks put you in control of your own adventure, letting you experience the rapids up close and personal. Inflatable kayaks require: Active paddling and following your guide’s instructions carefully. A reasonable level of physical fitness, balance, and stamina. Comfort with getting wet—you’ll be in the splash zone! Our guides will provide a safety briefing and clear protocols to ensure your ride is safe and fun. Duckies are an exhilarating challenge and a fantastic option for adventurous guests!

We use a variety of boats to ensure the best experience based on river conditions, group dynamics, and adventure levels. Stern Frame Paddle Boats (Our Standard Setup) Most of our guides run oars on a stern frame mount with paddlers in the front. This setup provides a perfect balance of power and control, ideal for the mix of calm sections and thrilling rapids on the Salmon River. Guests still get to paddle, but the guide has oars for extra control when navigating technical rapids or headwinds. 🚣 Center Frame Gear Boats (Sit-Back-and-Relax Boats) These boats carry gear and supplies for multi-day trips. The guide navigates solo, using the weight of the boat and river currents to navigate. Gear boats allow one to three passengers to ride along in a relaxed, comfortable setup without paddling. Mammoths (High-Performance Boats) Lighter, faster, and built for big water. Holds 2 to 4 passengers plus a guide. Mammoths have a sportier feel, catching more air off waves and skimming over rapids that bigger rafts punch through. Do You Ever Use Paddle Guide Boats? Many of our guides have experience paddle guiding (where the guide sits in the back with a paddle, giving commands). However, due to the mix of powerful rapids, calm stretches, and occasional wind, we’ve found that stern frames work best for maintaining control and keeping the trip fun and efficient. We can run these upon request!

Short answer: Yes… if you want to have a good time! Long answer: It depends. ✅ If you’re in a gear boat – No paddling required! Our guides can navigate heavy gear boats solo, using extreme skill and the boat’s weight to carry momentum down the river. If you want to sit back and relax, this is your best option. ✅ If you’re in a paddle boat – Yes, you need to paddle! Paddling is the #1 most effective way to stay in the boat and keep the raft upright. It’s also how you get to punch through big waves instead of going around them. 🤔 What if my group doesn’t want to paddle? That’s fine—but the guide will have to take more mellow routes, avoiding big waves. If you want to blast through rapids, launch over waves, and take the most exciting lines down the river, then you need to paddle hard as a team! 🚣‍♂️ Bottom line: Paddle = More fun. No paddle = More relaxing. Your choice!