Leave No Trace on the Salmon River

 

At Adventure Idaho, we believe the best way to protect Idaho’s wild rivers is to experience them — and to leave them better than we found them. Every one of our guides is trained in Leave No Trace (LNT) principles and, in turn, teaches these same practices to thousands of guests each season. This creates a ripple effect of awareness and stewardship that spreads far beyond the riverbanks.

 

A Wild Place Worth Protecting

 

While the Salmon River welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year, a trip through Idaho’s wilderness feels like a remote and personal expedition. You’ll often have entire camps to yourself, long stretches of river with only your group in sight, and peaceful solitude.

 

To preserve that sense of untouched wilderness for every first-time visitor, we take extra care to keep the river healthy, clean, and wild.

 

Our Commitment to Clean Camps and Healthy Rivers

 

We take great care of the Salmon River’s sandy beaches and delicate ecosystems:

 

• We remove all rock stacks and markers to preserve the natural landscape.

• Sand stakes are used for mooring boats — easy to remove and gentle on beaches.

• Fire pans, fire blankets, and ash cans are always used to contain and pack out every trace of ash and charcoal.

• Microtrash patrols are part of every trip — we pick up even the tiniest crumbs, wrappers, and twist ties.

• Dishwater is strained to remove food particles and poured above the high-water line with a mild bleach solution, keeping the river system clean and protecting aquatic life.

• All garbage and recyclables are packed out, never buried or left 

 

Human Waste and Hygiene on the River

 

Protecting water quality and the experience of other river travelers means handling human waste responsibly.

All solid human waste is carefully packed out using sanitized, sealed portable toilet systems (often called “groovers”). These are cleaned safely after each trip.

 

Following U.S. Forest Service best practices, we also teach that urination should happen directly in the river — not near camps or vegetation. As we like to say, “dilution is the solution to pollution.” This helps keep beaches smelling fresh and prevents unwanted attention from wildlife.

 

Safe Fire Practices

 

We love a good campfire — but we keep it responsible.
 

Our guides are trained to follow safe fire protocols, including keeping fires small, using fire pans and ensuring fires are completely extinguished. We also minimize campfire use during high fire danger periods and teach guests how to enjoy the warmth and glow of a fire without leaving a mark behind.

 

Teaching Responsible Recreation

 

Our guides share simple, powerful Leave No Trace habits with every guest:

 

• Stay on established trails to avoid trampling fragile areas.

• Respect wildlife by watching from a distance and keeping food secure.

• Respecting other's experience in the wilderness.

• Leave campsites cleaner than you found them.

 

Why It Matters

 

We believe that exposure leads to empathy — that the more people experience Idaho’s wilderness firsthand, the stronger the collective voice will be to protect it.

 

Every time a guest learns and practices Leave No Trace principles, that knowledge travels with them — to new rivers, new trails, and future generations.

 

By running clean trips, teaching stewardship, and fostering respect for the wild, Adventure Idaho helps ensure that the next person’s first glimpse of the Salmon River feels just as wild, pristine, and sacred as yours.