“Because everyone needs a little adventure in their life.” Adventure Guides, also a Lower Stanley based company, is a great choice for those interested in a “luxury adventure experience in the wilderness”. Adventure Guides is run mostly by Idaho locals who hail from Twin Falls and surrounding areas. Owner, outfitter and guide, Dirk Gibson, spent many years guiding on the Middle Fork before starting his own company. Rumor has it, he used to run MFRE’s sweep back in the day. Adventure Guides is a first class outfit. They focus on keeping folks cozy, while opening the door to all the excitement and adventure that the river has to offer. Rafting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, you name it-just say the word and Adventure Guides will have a custom trip that suits your desires.
On top of it all, Adventure Guides is the only outfit on the river offering a hike in fly fishing trip down Big Creek, to the confluence with the Middle Fork; a great option for those who need a little variation in their wilderness experience. If your plans don’t match with an MFRE launch, you can count on Dirk and his Adventure Guides for a memorable time on the water.
See you in the Middle… Sparrow
Middle Fork Rapid Transit is a great family run outfit based out of lower Stanley, Idaho. Middle Fork Rapid Transit trips feature a variety of activity while in the river corridor, offering white water rafting, fishing, hiking, hot springs, historical and natural interpretation of the region, and all around family fun. Middle Fork Rapid Transit offers inflatable kayaks for folks that need a little excitement in their day, or guests can just relax on the raft while a professionally licensed guide rows you down the river. A day spent on the paddle raft is also a great option for those who enjoy a team building or family bonding experience. While floating down the river with Middle Fork Rapid Transit it’s not rare to see bear and big horn sheep along the river’s edge. At camp, guests can partake in extraordinary culinary delight prepared on the open fire and in Dutch ovens.
Middle Fork Rapid Transit has been operating in the Salmon River corridor since 1980. Over the years, each of the four Porter Family sons helped make Middle Fork Rapid Transit a highly respected and successful outfitter. The guides at Middle Fork Rapid Transit are veteran river runners, some who have been guiding on the Middle Fork for over 20 years. If for some reason an MFRE launch date doesn’t correspond with you and your family’s plans, give the Porter Family a call; they’ll take good care of you.
See you in the Middle,
Sparrow
The Egyptian God Sobek was believed to control the waters of the Nile River. He was depicted as a man with the head of a crocodile, and was worshiped to ensure fertility for crops and mankind. The waters of the Nile were filled with crocodiles and feared by most, so it made sense to appease them through the worship of their leader. According to legend, Sobek was a fourfold deity representing the four elemental gods: Rha of fire, Shu of air, Geb of earth and Osiris of water.
During the early 70’s, John Yost and Richard Bangs co-founded Sobek Expeditions, the first multinational rafting business. The name most likely came from the close encounters with crocs they experienced while running exploratory trips on the Nile and Zambezi in Africa. Sobek would later be recognized as the leader in commercial exploratory rafting adventures around the globe; claiming to have bagged around 35 international first descents including the Bio Bio in Chile, and the Yangze in China.
In the early 1990’s, Sobek merged with Mt. Travel to become Mountain Travel Sobek, still recognized as a leader in international adventure and eco-travel. Mt. Travel Sobek has expanded their focus away from solely running river trips, to offer an array of sea kayaking, trekking, and other cultural experiences. It makes perfect sense that a company like Mt. Travel Sobek would be savvy to the world’s most renowned rivers, explaining why they offer trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. In 1999, Mt Travel Sobek started operating in the Frank Church Wilderness, and continues to run quality wilderness river trips through the Middle Fork corridor. Rest assured your in good hands with Sobek if MFRE’s launch dates don’t correspond with your plans; these guys have been outfitting this class of adventure longer than most.
Sparrow
If there is one legacy that is remembered and kept alive on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, it is that of the Helfrich family. Back in 1925, Prince Helfrich and his canyon comrades were the first to run a commercial trip down the Middle Fork. Helfrich launched their fleet of Mckenzie River drift boats at the head waters in Bear Valley Creek. After rowing 20 miles of technical whitewater, the boys would spend a long day portaging their wooden boats around Dagger Falls. At the time, they probably had no idea they were starting a legacy for what would later be remembered as the premiere wilderness river trip in the lower 48. Helfrich and company had many intentions while embarking on this daunting endeavor, and catching fish came first and foremost.
The Helfrich legacy has been passed down through four generations on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, and is owner and outfitter to three commercial launches separately run by different family members. Helfrich continues to offer exclusive fly fishing trips run only by the most skilled drift boat guides, many who still choose to run traditional Mckenzie wood boats. Planning a trip with Helfrich is a great idea if your plans don’t match with MFRE, and your looking for a first class fly fishing trip on the Middle Fork.
Join MFRE on the Middle Fork for the fly fishing experience of a lifetime. Drift Boat fishing the corridor in September is a time when the Cutthroat are consistent and boats on the water are scarce. MFRE is one of the few outfitters offering guided drift boat fly fishing trips on the Middle Fork this late in the year.
Give us a Shout!
Sparrow
ROW adventures, based out of CeurD’Alene, claims to run more Idaho rivers than any other outfitter; their trip on the Lochsa being a favorite for many. ROW Adventures actualy has a lodge in Syringa, right on the Clearwater river, where they base their Lochsa trips out of. The Clearwater drainage is known as the farthest inland temperate rain forest in the lower 48; red cedars crowded with ferns and moss line the river banks, and the river runs solely from spring runnoff, not unlike the Middle Fork of the Salmon.
ROW Adventures runs a great trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon; their focus is aimed toward sharing the magic of the Frank Church Wilderness with families looking to get away for a week in nature. The guides at ROW Adventures are well rounded and skilled, as they often times will rotate around to all the rivers that ROW runs in Idaho and Montana.
Taking a trip with ROW Adventurest on the Middle Fork is a great option if our launch dates at Middle Fork River Expeditions don’t correspond with you and your family’s time frame. Give us a shout to find out all of the great options MFRE has to offer.
see you in the Middle,
Sparrow
Lets give props to OARS, an adventure travel company that offers Middle Fork Trips, along with many other world wide exotic outdoor vacations. Matter of fact, OARS is out there running most of the nation’s designated wild and scenic rivers; not to mention, OARS also offers some non-river related outdoor vacation packages. The Crew at OARS is, to say the least… worldly, cultured, and committed to making a passionate living of adventure travel. Their trips in the Grand Canyon have been placed on the upper end of prestigious, as displayed by the fleet of hand made dories that they flaunt on the water. Lets be honest, every boatman and river guest alike dreams of floating the canyon in one of these beauties. These guys are a great alternative to booking with MFRE…that is, if the seats in our dories are already filled.
Inspired by the hands of those who cherish traditional boat building, along with the craftsmanship of Lost River Boat Works out of Pocatello, Middle Fork River Expeditions has also built a fleet of hand crafted wooden dories. Join MFRE on a Main Salmon Trip, or a Middle Fork trip and enjoy the pleasure of cruising the river in a traditional “Briggs” Colorado river Dory.
see you in the Middle,
Sparrow
Echo River Trips is a company that has been running quality river rafting trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon for decades. Like most outfitters in the canyon, Echo River Trips offers a five or six day adventure exploring the wonders of the Frank Church Wilderness. Echo River Trips feature a variety of activity while in the river corridor, with something enticing for everyone. Echo River Trips feature white water, fishing, hiking, hot springs, historical interpretation, and overall family fun. On the water, Echo River Trips encourage folks to try out the inflatable kayaks for some added excitement, or simply relax on a raft while a professionally licensed guide rows you down the river. A day spent on the paddle raft is also a great option for those who enjoy a team building or family bonding experience. While traveling with Echo River Trips, endless opportunities unfold for viewing wildlife like bear and big horn sheep along the river’s edge. At camp, guests indulge in culinary delight prepared by Dutch oven masters and enjoy peaceful evenings watching sunsets glisten to the river’s voice. On any given night, it’s not rare that one of Echo’s many talented guides might bust out a guitar or mandolin and pick a tune or two; these river people are not only skilled on the oars! The guides come from all walks of life, and many will hop back and forth from Idaho to the Rogue River in Oregon, where Echo River Trips also operate.
Rafting through the Middle Fork of the Salmon River corridor with Echo River Trips is a great alternative to choosing Middle Fork River Expeditions, if for some reason our launch dates don’t correlate with you and your family’s plans; this river trip is undoubtedly the best way to see Idaho’s Frank Church Wilderness. Nowhere else in the lower 48 states can one experience 100 miles of dam free, motor-less, road-less river canyon. Unplug and reconnect with nature in one of the nation’s last remaining gems.
SWilson
Expedition Leader for Middle Fork River Expeditions
Aggipah is the Shoshoni word for the Salmon River, which translates to big fish water. Aggipah River Trips is a company that has been running exceptional river rafting and fishing trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon longer than most. Aggipah runs six days on the river exploring the wonders of the Frank Church Wilderness offering something intriguing for everyone. Aggipah’s trips feature river rafting, fishing, hiking, hot springs, historical and natural interpretation, and all around family fun. Aggipah River Trips are fun all day while folks paddle inflatable kayaks for some added excitement, or maybe just relax on an oar rig while a professionally licensed guide ushers you down the river. The paddle raft is also a great option for those who enjoy a team building or family bonding experience. Aggipah river trips offer endless opportunities for viewing wildlife like bear and big horn sheep along the river’s edge; and at camp, guests indulge in culinary delight prepared by Dutch oven masters while enjoying peaceful evenings watching sunsets glisten to the river’s voice. During some afternoons, Aggipah’s founder Bill Burnt has been known to show folks how to pan for gold along the river bank, just like the old homesteaders in the canyon used to do. Bill Bases his outfit out of Salmon, Idaho, and is recognized as one of the oldest and most knowledgeable outfitters on the river.
Rafting through the Middle Fork of the Salmon River corridor with Aggipah is a great alternative to choosing Middle Fork River Expeditions, if for some reason our launch dates don’t correlate with you and your family’s plans; this river trip is undoubtedly the best way to see Idaho’s Frank Church Wilderness. Nowhere else in the lower 48 states can one experience 100 miles of dam free, motor-less, road-less river canyon. Unplug and reconnect with nature in one of the nation’s last remaining gems.
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Family River Rafting Vacations in Idaho are the best way to stay connected as a family. The Middle Fork Salmon River and Main Salmon Rivers are perfect for families in July and August when the water has warmed up to a nice 70F which is ideal for swimming. Family River Rafting Vacations in Idaho can be booked at any time this spring. Just call MFRE at 800-801-5146 for info on Family River Rafting Vacations in Idaho.
Family River Rafting Vacations in Idaho can be multi-genarational and are perfect for family reunions. To unplug from modern society and reconnect in the largest wilderness area in the US is a wonderful gift to give to all your family. Kids and grandparents alike.
For more information on trips, go to www.idahorivers.com for details.
Hope to see you in Stanley for a Family River Rafting Vacation in Idaho
Best, Ellsworth
Family River Rafting Vacations in Idaho
