Lower Salmon River
Lower Salmon River
Pool Drop Rapids
Over the 53 miles from the Hammer Creek put-in to the confluence with the Snake River, the Salmon River falls an average of 10 feet per mile. The pool and drop nature offers stretches of quiet water punctuated with the roar of whitewater rapids.
The Canyons
The canyon terrain is as varied as the river itself. The river flows through four distinct canyons: Green, Cougar, Snowhole, and Blue Canyons. In these canyons, the walls are precipitous and rocky, and the river is narrow and fast. The river is broader and slower between the canyons, and the terrain is more open with rolling grassy slopes and rock outcroppings.
Rich History
The Salmon is rich in both historic and prehistoric culture. The Nez Perce Indians, Chinese miners, and early homesteaders and ranchers have left evidence of their presence. Our guides know the history of the canyon and its stories. We occasionally stop to show you particularly interesting historic and unique spots.
Varied Wildlife
Plenty of wildlife can be seen along the river, including bighorn sheep, black bears, river otters, eagles, osprey, chucker and salmon.
The Rapids
This stretch of the Salmon River features 21 class III rapids and two class IV rapids. This is a lot of whitewater for the miles covered! Some of the best rapids are; Demon’s Drop, Wright-Way Drop, Pine Bar, Lorna’s Lulu, Half & Half, The Gobbler, Oh! —-!, China, Snow Hole, The Slide, Zig-Zag, Checker Board, Sluice Box, and the Eye of the Needle.
Accommodations
White Sandy Beaches
The Lower Salmon Gorge provides plenty of large sandy beaches for camping. Mellow pools along the beaches offer relaxing evening dips and fun water activities.
Amenities
Portable toilets and hand wash stations are set up each night. There is no bathing or soap allowed in the river, and we pack out all our wastes.
Meals & Beverages
We love to cook and love to see our guests eat their fill. We cook full breakfasts and dinners, which include fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. Lunch consists of build-your-own deli sandwiches. Gourmet snacks are served before dinner. Nobody goes away from a Barker River Trip hungry!
Drinking water and coffee are provided. We have room in the coolers for personal beverages. If you would like to bring alcohol and soda, we ask that you bring them in cans. Glass is dangerous on the rafts and beaches.
Service & Safety
We are proud that our guides all exceed the minimum requirements for the State of Idaho. Many of our guides are fully trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Some of our guides have made more trips down the Salmon River than the entire staff of other river companies combined.
We can tailor trips to your needs and offer private charter trips (minimum of 10) as well. Limit is a total of 24 guests on any trip.