Idaho · Salmon River to the Snake
Lower Salmon River rafting trips
No lottery, summer trips and Class II to IV water. Compare every Lower Salmon outfitter we could find, side by side.
2 to 5 days / 1 to 4 nightsQuick answer
Guided Lower Salmon River rafting trips run 2 days, 1 night to 5 days, 4 nights, most from July to September. Trips run from Hammer Creek to the Snake River, then out by road or jet boat. There is no lottery. We list 19 outfitters, and prices start at $600 per person (checked September 2026).
The route
Hammer Creek to Heller Bar
The hardest rapid, Slide, comes near the end, just above the Salmon's meeting with the Snake. Many trips finish with 20 miles on the Snake to Heller Bar.
- Mile 0Hammer CreekLaunch
- Mile 31SnowholeClass IV
- Mile 51SlideClass V
- Mile 52Snake confluence
- Mile 72Heller BarTake out
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
Confluence and Heller Bar miles from the BLM's mileage table, counted from Hammer Creek; rapid miles and classes from American Whitewater, which puts the confluence at 55. Shown for a 4 day, 3 night trip. Camps are set by the outfitter.
Compare outfitters
Every Lower Salmon outfitter with public overnight trips
The BLM publishes its list of authorized Lower Salmon outfitters (April 2026). This table covers the float outfitters whose own sites list public overnight trips, listed alphabetically.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per adult | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adventure Idaho | 4 days, 3 nights | Raft; kayak option | June to September | 6 typical | $1,2952025 rate; jet boat back to Hammer Creek included. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Adventure Idaho |
| America's Rafting Company | 4 days, 3 nights | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak | Summer | 7 | $1,7752024 price, the latest shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with America's Rafting |
| Barker River Trips | 2 days, 1 night to 5 days, 4 nights | Not listed | June to September | Not listed | $6002 day, 1 night Slide trip; year not shown; 3 day, 2 night trip from $1,100. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Barker |
| Exodus Salmon River Rafting | 2 days, 1 night to 4 days, 3 nights | Self bailing raft | Late May to early September | 7 | $6002 day, 1 night trip; year not shown; 4 day $1,500. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Exodus |
| Hells Canyon Raft | 4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Oar, paddle | July to September | 7 (10 at high water) | $1,8254 day, 3 night trip, 2027. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Hells Canyon Raft |
| Hughes River Expeditions | 5 days, 4 nights | Paddle, inflatable kayak | Late July to late September | Not listed | $2,3002026; jet boat to Hells Gate State Park included. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Hughes |
| Idaho River Adventures | 3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Raft | Not listed | 5 | $1,3954 day, 3 night trip; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Idaho River Adv. |
| Minam Store Outfitters | 4 days, 3 nights | Not listed | Not listed | 8 | $1,685Pine Bar to Heller Bar; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Minam Store |
| Mountain River Outfitters | 3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak, paddle board | June to September | 7 | $1,4503 day, 2 night trip, 2026; jet boat return. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Mountain River |
| OARS | 4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Oar, paddle, dory, inflatable kayak, paddle board | July to mid September | 7 (12 at high water) | $1,7994 day, 3 night trip, 2027. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with OARS |
| Orange Torpedo Trips | 3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights | Inflatable kayak, paddle, oar | July to September | Not listed (ages 4 to 11 ride oar rafts) | $1,3993 day, 2 night trip; year not confirmed. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Orange Torpedo |
| Oregon River Experiences | 4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak, cataraft | July to September | 7 | $1,5354 day, 3 night trip, 2027; jet boat to Lewiston. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Oregon River Exp. |
| Ouzel Outfitters | 4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Raft | July to September | 7 | $1,6594 day, 3 night trip; year not shown; jet boat to Clarkston. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Ouzel |
| ROW Adventures | 4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak | July to September | 5 to 10 recommended | $2,0902026; $2,190 in 2027. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with ROW |
| Salmon Raft | 2 days, 1 night to 5 days, 4 nights | Raft, inflatable kayak | Summer 2026 | 7 on 4 and 5 day trips | $9502 day, 1 night trip, 2026; 4 day from $1,400 in September 2026. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Salmon Raft |
| Three Rivers Rafting | 4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak | July to mid September | Not listed (children who can swim) | $1,7954 day, 3 night trip, August 2026. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Three Rivers |
| Wild River Adventures | 4 days, 3 nights | Raft | Dates on request | 6 | $1,3952025 rate; optional jet boat for a fee. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Wild River |
| Wilderness River Outfitters | 5 days, 4 nights | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak, paddle board | July to September | Not listed | $1,500Listed as $1,500 to $2,000; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Wilderness River |
| Winding Waters River Expeditions | 4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak | July to September | 5 | $1,6854 day, 3 night trip, 2027, plus a $30 fee. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Winding Waters |
"Not listed" means we could not find it on the outfitter's site in September 2026. Where a site gives days only, nights are days minus one. Prices are the lowest adult rate we found. Confirm when booking.
Not shown: authorized outfitters with no public overnight trip details online (many are youth groups, schools or fishing guides), and Orange Torpedo's row your own trip. Western River Expeditions sells a Lower Salmon trip but is not on the BLM's April 2026 list. Missing an outfitter? Tell us.
The no lottery way in
Guided trip or private trip?
There is no lottery on the Lower Salmon. Private groups fill out a free BLM permit and go. What a guided trip adds is the gear, the meals, the shuttle or jet boat, and guides to run Slide and Snowhole.
No lottery
Book a guided trip
- How you get a spot
- Pick a date with one of the outfitters above and book it.
- Getting out
- Road shuttle from Heller Bar or a jet boat, depending on the outfitter.
- Trip length
- 2 days, 1 night to 5 days, 4 nights on the trips we checked.
- Boats and food
- The outfitter brings the boats, guides, meals and camp.
Private permit
Self issue a free permit
- Permit
- Free, self issued at the launch, the BLM office in Cottonwood or online.
- When it applies
- Below Hammer Creek July 1 to Labor Day, and all overnight trips year round.
- Group size
- Up to 30 people from Hammer Creek to the Snake.
- Camp rules
- Carry out human waste and use a fire pan.
Sources: the BLM Lower Salmon boater guide, the BLM Lower Salmon page and the BLM permit details sheet.
On the river
What a day on a Lower Salmon rafting trip looks like
Summer trips on the Lower Salmon mix rapids with long calm stretches, and the hardest water comes near the end.
- Morning
Breakfast in camp, then everything packs back onto the boats.
- Midday
Rapids and swimming, with lunch on a beach.
- Afternoon
An inflatable kayak on calmer water or a side hike, then camp.
- Evening
Dinner cooked by the guides and a night on the beach.
What outfitters list as included
- Guides, boats and life jackets
- Meals on the river
- Camp gear
- The road shuttle or jet boat out, on many trips
Hughes, Salmon Raft and Adventure Idaho include a jet boat ride; Wild River Adventures offers one for a fee; Winding Waters adds a $30 fee. Check each outfitter's list.
Worth checking before you book
- Jet boat add ons
- Travel to Lewiston, Clarkston, Riggins or McCall
- Sleeping bags
- Guide tips
More on camp life, meals and the toilet in river camping, and on tips in tipping your guides.
When to go
The Lower Salmon rafting season
The BLM says the floating season begins in June above Hammer Creek and in July below it. Most outfitters run from July into September.
The BLM warns that Slide can reach Class V to VI at flows of 20,000 cfs and higher, and several outfitters raise minimum ages at high water. See when to go rafting.
Who it suits
Which Lower Salmon trip fits you
Families
Several outfitters take kids from 5 to 7 in summer. See family rafting trips.
Short on time
Barker, Exodus and Salmon Raft run 2 day, 1 night trips. See 2 day rafting trips and 3 day rafting trips.
Dory fans
OARS brings dories on its Lower Salmon trips. See dory trips.
Questions
Lower Salmon rafting trip questions
How much does a Lower Salmon rafting trip cost?
On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, 2 day, 1 night trips list from $600 with Barker River Trips and Exodus, and most 4 day, 3 night trips list from $1,295 to $1,825. Prices without a year are marked in the table. Confirm when booking.
Do I need a permit to raft the Lower Salmon?
There is no lottery. The BLM requires a free self issue permit for private trips below Hammer Creek from July 1 to Labor Day, and for all overnight trips year round. On a guided trip, the outfitter handles its own permit.
How long is a Lower Salmon trip?
Most guided trips run 4 days, 3 nights or 5 days, 4 nights, and a few run 2 or 3 days. By the BLM's mileage table, Hammer Creek to the Snake confluence is 52 miles, and Heller Bar is 20 miles farther down the Snake.
How hard are the rapids?
The BLM calls it Class II to IV whitewater. American Whitewater rates Snowhole Class IV and Slide Class V, and the BLM says Slide can reach Class V to VI at flows of 20,000 cfs and higher.
When is the Lower Salmon season?
The BLM says the floating season begins in June above Hammer Creek and in July below it. Most outfitters run from July to September.
How do trips get back from the Snake?
It depends on the outfitter. Some take out at Heller Bar and drive to Lewiston, and several use a jet boat: to Lewiston or Clarkston, to Hells Gate State Park, or upstream to Pittsburg Landing.
What is the minimum age?
Idaho River Adventures and Winding Waters list 5, several outfitters list 6 or 7, and Minam lists 8. OARS and Hells Canyon Raft raise the minimum at high water.
How many outfitters can guide the Lower Salmon?
The BLM's April 2026 list authorizes 43 float outfitters, plus 4 that run both float and jet boat trips. Our table shows the ones whose own sites list public overnight trips.
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Keep planning
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- Outfitter directoryEvery outfitter we list, by name
- Rafting trip costHow prices compare across rivers
- Plan your tripAll planning guides
Ready to book
Pick your Lower Salmon outfitter
Compare trip lengths, boats and minimum ages, then check dates directly with the outfitter.