Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Our guides set up the tents for you. We provide company tents on our overnight, 4-day Lower Salmon, and 5-day Main Salmon trips. These are 4-person tents that sleep 2 people comfortably, and we plan for one per couple. You are also welcome to bring your own tent. A 2- to 4-person tent is ideal, as it must fit into a dry bag for transport. For Salmon River High Adventure Base and Scout trips on the Middle Fork, guests need to bring their own tents.

Absolutely! You’re more than welcome to bring your own tent, as long as it’s a four-person tent or smaller so it can fit in the dry bags. We provide sleeping pads on 2-day overnighters, Lower Salmon and Main Salmon trips. We recommend that all guests bring their own sleeping bags. See our Packing Lists for more details. Need a sleeping bag? If you don’t have one, reach out to us. We have washed and cleaned sleeping bags available, or we can point you in the right direction for rentals or purchases.

Yes! Food is included on multi-day trips, starting with lunch on the first day. Our guides prepare delicious meals, and we offer a variety of hearty, fresh options to keep you fueled for adventure. View our menu here: River Food Menu Dietary Needs: Food allergies and dietary restrictions are a required question on the e-sign waiver. We can accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice. Please be sure to fill out the waiver accurately so we can plan accordingly.

On some of our trips, guides will go ahead to set up camp in advance, so when you arrive, everything is ready for you! This depends on environmental timing, river conditions, and group needs, but when possible, you’ll step onto the beach to find: ✅ Your tent & camping spot ready to go – Change into dry clothes and get comfortable. ✅ Chairs set up around the fire – A perfect gathering place for the evening. ✅ Appetizers & drinks waiting for you – Relax and refuel after a day on the river. ✅ Plenty of time for adventure – Swim, hike, explore, or just soak in the river views. As the sun dips behind canyon walls, dinner is served, followed by delicious Dutch oven dessert. 🍲🔥 Then the evening is yours—games, entertainment, music, and laughter under a brilliant night sky. Our camps are in some of the darkest, most remote parts of the country, making for breathtaking stargazing. 🌌 Many guests choose to sleep out on the beach during warm summer nights, falling asleep under a sky filled with stars. Others retire to their tents, waking up to a hot breakfast as the sun rises and camp warms up—ready for another epic day on the river!

Yes! All of our multi-day trips include a fire pan setup that meets regulations. 🔥 This allows us to enjoy a classic campfire experience while ensuring we leave no trace. Our fire pans let the group gather around for stories, warmth, and relaxation, and we pack out all ashes so the beaches stay pristine. For Salmon River High Adventure Base trips, traditional campfires are not allowed due to fire hazards in the area. However, we provide propane fire pits, so guests can still enjoy the camaraderie of sitting around a fire in the evenings. Oh, and don’t worry—we bring s’mores! 🍫🔥

Yes, but not in the river or in any hot springs. Even though biodegradable soap is more eco-friendly, it still takes a significant amount of time to break down and can harm the ecosystem and wildlife before it fully exits the river system. 🌿🚫🌊 If you’d like to bathe, you’re welcome to use soap above the high water line, away from the river. This helps keep the water pristine for wildlife and future adventurers. A simple bucket rinse works great, and we recommend using biodegradable soap to minimize environmental impact. 🚫 No soap in the hot springs. Enjoy a soak, rinse off, but please keep soap out of the springs.

Absolutely! We take great care to leave camp just as we found it so the next group can enjoy a pristine, untouched beach—just like we did. 🌿🏕️ Our goal is to make it look as if no one was ever there. Here’s how we do it: ✅ Fire Pans & Ash Cans – We enjoy campfires using fire pans and ash cans, allowing us to pack out all ashes while still having that classic fireside experience. 🔥 ✅ Sanitary Wilderness Dish System – All dishwater is strained above the high water line to remove food particles and soap, ensuring we keep the river clean. ✅ Pack It In, Pack It Out – We pack out all trash and human waste and even take care to pick up micro-trash like food wrappers, twist ties, and stray bits of gear. 🗑️ ✅ Restoring the Beach – Kids (and adults!) are welcome to build sandcastles and rock towers, but in the morning, we’ll knock them down together—a fun way to make sure the next group arrives to a natural, untouched beach. 🏖️ We take these extra steps so that every group can experience the same wild, beautiful, and unspoiled river camps as we do. Thanks for helping us keep the river clean and pristine!

Day Trips: Typically 3-6 hours, depending on the trip and water levels. Multi-Day Trips: We usually start rafting around 9:30 to 10:00 a.m., stop for lunch and 1-2 breaks, then arrive at camp between 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Times may vary based on the group and river conditions.

You’ll still have a great time! 🌧️Our tents work great in the rain to keep you dry and comfortable at night. We also bring a large rainfly/canopy so everyone can comfortably eat underneath it and stay dry. Plus, we make sure everyone brings rain gear, so we can still have a blast on and off the river—rain or shine!

📵 Phones and Connectivity: At Adventure Idaho, we look forward to advances in connectivity on river trips. However, we believe the heart of a river trip is the social dynamic, camaraderie, and connection with nature—which is why most people join these adventures in the first place. To preserve the experience for everyone: Most trips go days without cell service or internet. Wi-Fi, where available, is not to be shared with the group, except for emergencies or important work requirements. Avoid using your phone in public spaces, especially around the campfire. The campfire is for stories, laughter, and connection—not screens. You are welcome to use your phone privately in your tent at night. 🚨 Emergency Response and Safety Procedures: While modern technology may make it seem like help is just a call away, the reality is that wilderness emergencies are complex. Due to the remoteness of the river and challenging access points, evacuations can take multiple hours and often require coordinated efforts with federal and state agencies. In the event of an emergency: The lead guide is solely responsible for all emergency communications and coordination with authorities. This ensures clear, accurate information is relayed to search and rescue teams. You are not allowed to bypass this line of communication, as confusion and unfamiliarity with the terrain and situation can cause significant delays. Our guides are trained in wilderness first aid, CPR, and swiftwater rescue, and carry emergency communication devices such as satellite inReach devices. We follow a detailed emergency action plan to ensure the fastest and safest response possible. 🌞 Stay Present, Stay Connected (with Each Other): We encourage everyone to stay fully present and engaged with the group—because those are the moments that make a river trip unforgettable!

No. Most of the Salmon River has little to no cell service once you enter the canyon. That’s one of the biggest advantages of the experience. You’re fully removed from the noise and distractions of everyday life. If you need to stay connected, we can provide Starlink satellite internet on select trips with advance notice. It’s a limited, guide-managed setup designed for check-ins, not constant use. Learn more about Starlink access →