The Pandemic bubble has popped and we are back to our regular scheduled programming. No longer are our trip booking 2+ years in advance. Our repeat and loyal customers can now book some summer’s best dates and large groups can easily secure a 2025 trip. Give us a call to explore the possibilities and make sure to check back for our monthly availability update.
We had a cancellation overnight opening up 9 seats on RMRT’s super popular June 22-27 Middle Fork of the Salmon Trip.
June 22nd fabulous trip! You get the same itinerary and world-class experience as our “peak season” trips at a discounted rate of $2095 /$1895 per person. This trip will travel the complete 104 miles of the famous Middle Fork of the Salmon.
Call 208.345.2400 or email jared@rafttrips.com to take advantage of this great opportunity!
Wow…stunning Spring days in Stanley, Idaho this past week. The phones have been BUSY with folks inquiring about availability on both our Middle Fork and River of No Return Trips. I commonly get the same question….When is the best time to float the Middle Fork?
This answer has been changing in recent years due to warmer spring weather, resulting in an earlier peak flow and warmer weather in June. While June trips used to be considered “early season” it has quickly become a great option for our clients chasing the World-Class whitewater found on the Middle Fork during June flows.
RMRT’s June 13-17 is an exceptional value at $1495 for a 5-day all inclusive trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon.
Spring has sprung in Idaho and the Middle Fork and Main Salmon rivers have seen their first spike of the spring season. The summer rafting and fishing forecast is looking phenomenal and Rocky has a limited number of seats on both the Middle Fork of the Salmon and the Salmon River of No Return. The last remaining seats of summer will vaporize as spring catches hold across the country and our return clients pick up the remaining seats chasing the opportunity to escape, unplug and rejuvenate in the largest Wilderness in the lower 48.
Middle Fork Snowpack & Trip Availability
The 2019 middle fork snowpack is looking fabulous and the snow just keeps piling up in the upper elevations. Upper elevation snowpack is the key to a long whitewater season and excellent fly fishing season The Middle Fork will host world class whitewater in June & July and phenomenal fishing conditions in trips and the August and September.
2019 Middle Fork Available Dates
June 13-17 $1495 June 22-27 $2095/$1895 August 10-15 $2295/$1795 RMRT’s Annual Teen Trip August 18-33 2195/$1795 Rocky’s Fly Fish and Raft Adventure
Fall fly fishing dates 8/26, 9/3, 9/10, 9/18 are all full. We are booking 2020 fishing trips now.
Salmon River of No Return- the Ultimate Family Adventure
A big snowpack does not just offer great June and July whitewater, but it reaps rewards all summer long. The River of No Return’s vast sandy beaches are legendary. The larger the runoff, the bigger the beaches. 2019 beach camping is going to be ridiculous! Think volleyball, slip and slides, capture the flag and plenty of space to escape it all.
2019 River of No Return Trip Availability
July 5-10 $1795/$1000 July 21-26 $1995/$1000- Annual Kids Trip July 29-Aug 3 $1995/$1000 Aug 6-11 $1995/$1000
Happy New Year to our river family! This time of year we are watching the snow pile up in eager anticipation for the whitewater ahead. Nothing is better for the Salmon River country than copious amounts of snow and so far old man winter is delivering (knock-on-wood)!
Photo Credit: Sawtooth Mountain Guides
The natives love it. All our river guides over at Sawtooth Mountain Guides are getting to slay, fresh un-tracked Sawtooth silk all winter long. While our drought stricken forest are getting free refills and the Cutthroat are giddy in anticipation of all that clean, cold summer water.
We have officially embarked into the “Booking season”. The first 3 months of the year are busy with daily phone and emails asking about trip availability and “Why Rocky?” Due to the limited number of seats on each of our trips, and the limited number of trips, this time of year is equally as busy as the summer rafting season.
Middle Fork of the Salmon & River of No Return
Current availability on our Middle Fork of the Salmon and River of No Return trips is great. While some of our Peak Season Dates are full, others have great availability. If the current snowpack is any indication 2017 is going to be a phenomenal rafting season.
5 Easy Steps to booking the ultimate adventure vacation…..
Take a look at our 2017 Trip Dates & Rates. Give us a call or email and we will reply with a Trip Info PDF
Place a complimentary HOLD on seats for 7 days will you rally your group, explore travel options.
We will send you and email link allowing you to view your invoice and place a credit card deposit to book.
Purchase travel insurance within 30 days of deposit, we will pay 50% of your premium
Stay tuned for more detailed trip information and Itinerary. Your balance is due in the Spring
In the river business we watch the weather & snowpack like baby-boomers obsess over the Dow and S&P. Luckily for us, we have our own in-house snow specialist. Chris Lundy, owner of Sawtooth Mountain Guides by winter, Rocky Middle Fork guide by summer. Chris spends his winter ski guiding on the same snow that feeds the Middle Fork.
“Despite warm temperatures and a lack of snow during the past month, the snowpack at higher elevations is still hanging in there. Thanks to substantial snowfall back in December and January, many mountain weather stations are still reporting near-average snow water equivalent. Not to say we couldn’t use more snow, but we’re in much better shape than many people realize.”
-Chris Lundy, Sawtooth Mountain Guides
Explore the Sawtooths with Sawtooth Mountain Guides
Join Nick Como, NY native and author of EatPlayRamble.com, as he recaps his Middle Fork Experience
“Putting on a neoprene wetsuit at 7 AM to step out in a 40 degree Stanley, Idaho morning can only mean one thing: Adventure! This is the coldest we’ll be all week, we are assured by Jared, head honcho at Rocky Mountain River Tours. The snow blanketing the Sawtooth range peaks, as well as several hillsides our bus zooms by on the way to Boundary Creek, leads to me to believe otherwise. This may be more camping than glamping (glamorous camping) after all.
Happy Guides & Great Wine
Over the next six days, we’ll drop over 3,000 feet in elevation. Wetsuits give way to shorts and T-shirts as the river cuts its way to meet with the Main Salmon 100 miles away. We begin at 6,000 feet in an alpine forest of Lodgepole and Douglas Fir on a river that resembles more of a steam. Narrow, but fast-flowing with rapids in succession, I could tell right from the start our guides were on their A-game to navigate this stretch.
A few short hours and a few dozen rapids later, several of us are stipping our Scuba Steve outfits off on a sandy beach to swim in the crystal clear water of the Middle Fork of the Salmon on the trip’s first lunch break. I never needed the wetsuit again, just sunblock and some shades to “battle” the elements. The Middle Fork is relaxing yet wild, scenic, magical and remote. It is like no other place.
The 100 miles and six days would feature hot springs, bottles of wine paired with cheese and smoked salmon for happy hour, short walks and demanding hikes to
Fresh Flowers, Table Cloths and Home-made Brownies
incredible views, impassable canyons and food. Lots of delicious food. Sleekly packed rubber rafts, when unloaded reveal a full kitchen, comfy tents with luxurious sleeping pads and pillows, full sized camp chairs and enough food to feed an army. Far from roughing it in the largest wilderness area in the lower 48. I don’t always camp, but when I do, I prefer to glamp.”
Idaho rafting is like all other world class vacation destinations. Savvy travelers seek out the shoulder season to receive the ‘Prime Season’ service at ‘Low Season ‘ rates. The Middle Fork is no different.
Frank Church- River of No Return Wilderness
Act fast! We have limited availability on the following 2014 Shoulder Season Trips
In addition to a better price, Rocky’s shoulder season trips have their own unique draw. Our June trips are all about the Middle Fork’s World Class Whitewater. While our August trips offer amazing fly fishing. In fact Rocky’s August, shoulder season trips sell out quickly because of the world -renowned dry fly fishing found on the Middle Fork in August
Rocky Mountain River Tours is stoked to offer America’s Premier Rafting Vacation. Imagine 6-days and 185 miles of the best whitewater and alpine scenery in the world. This trip includes 1-night at a riverside lodge and scenic flight back to Stanley.
Attention: Tell us you heard about the Middle/Main Epic via this email and save $150 per person
Rocky’s most popular family adventure. Rocky caters this trip to families with children aged 6-18, resulting in the ultimate family adventure. We adjust menus, bring extra beach games, lots of sunscreen and break out all the toys for the trip. Book Now…this trip sells out quickly!
Loyal clients have demanded that we start a family rafting tradition on the Middle Fork. This Early August trip is catered to multi-generational families (age 10+) offering perfect water levels for paddle rafting, inflatable kayaking, fishing and shenanigans. We keep the kids busy, allowing parents and grandparents ample time for relaxing, socializing, fly fishing and enjoying the largest wilderness in the United States. Reserve now!
The Middle Fork of the Salmon is the PERFECT multi-generational adventure!
Join Rocky and experience the fastest growing watersport in the world, Stand Up Paddle Boarding. The fun, safe, rolling rapids of the Wild & Scenic Salmon has been identified as the #1 SUP river in America. Great for beginners and advanced paddlers. Not all participants need to SUP, rafts and IK’s available.
This September Salmon River Anglers and Rocky Mountain River Tours are combining forces to offer the best fly fishing experience available in the United States.
World Class Guides & Award Winning Food on our Fall Fly Fishing Trip
Join Rocky Mtn River Tours & Salmon River Anglers on an all-inclusive fly fishing trip on Idaho’s premier blue ribbon trout stream. 12 anglers, 6 guides and a week on the Middle Fork of the Salmon with nothing to do but fish…pinch me now.
$2695 includes round trip charter air service from Boise, food, beer, wine and local flies. Only 5 seats remain…call now!
Native Westslope Cutthroat Trout found on the Middle Fork
Imagine…Gin-clear freestone river, zero angler pressure, optimum dry fly conditions and native cutthroat trout all to yourself as you explore the largest wilderness in the US.
Rocky Mountain River Tours maintains an enviable reputation on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. A common question from potential guests…“why choose Rocky?” Its true, all of the outfits on the Middle fork benefit from the amazing beauty of the Frank Church, the pristine waters of the Middle Fork and the magic that occurs from spending 6 days away from civilization with a small group of new friends. In the end its simple, three factors are at play.
Guides, Gear & Food
The Rocky Guides
The Guides
Middle Fork guides belong to an upper echelon in the guiding community. They have been tested by the high waters of Spring, the technical boating of August and all the variables that pop up while leading 24 experienced guests through the largest Wilderness in the US. The one thing that sets the Rocky crew apart from the competition is tenure. The current crew of Rocky guides has been working together for 10 seasons. They are well oiled machine when it comes to camp duties and on the on-water program. But the most distinguishing factor is their chemistry, like characters in a movie. Each with unique strengths & personalities that combine to result in the best crew on the Middle Fork.
The Gear
Rocky pulls out all the stops when it comes to gear. New sleeping bags and pillows are purchased annually while large river mattresses, spacious new Mountain Hardware tents and comfortable chairs are the norm. Rocky provides a sanitary and private bathroom system with running water hand wash, solar showers and purified water.
The Food
Excuse us while we brag. Rocky offers the best food on the river, period. This is not a new thing, its a tradition. Sheila Mills, Rocky founder is the genius behind the menu design while Rachel B. is the culinary artists that puts all the pieces together. The result is the most divers, fresh and healthy menu on the river. Sheila has made a career at designing dutch oven entrees and amazing deserts. She has published three Dutch-Oven cookbooks and continues to push the limits of what can be created in a riverside kitchen. The Rocky menu is so diverse and impressive that it has its own fan club. In an effort to keep the groupies happy we will be posting our 2013 recipe’s over the next few weeks.
SMOKED TROUT APPETIZER
1 pkg.(1#) SMOKED TROUT, arranged on parsley
2 boxes Breton crackers
2 boxes Blue Diamond crackers (gluten free)
1 container Smokehouse Almonds
1 wedge English Cotswold cheese
1 bag Red Grapes (displayed around or next to the cheese)
BLEU CHEESE & PECAN SALAD
1 bag Mixed Baby Greens
1 zip (3 cups) Toasted pecans, in Ziploc
1 container Bleu cheese, crumbled
2 bottles Earth & Vine Honey Pear Vinaigrette
5 Green Apples, chopped at the last minute & tossed in.
(toss salad with dressing & serve immediately)
Arrange pasta sheets in bottom of 3 DO’s.
Spread each sheet with pesto.
Break up sausage thinly & evenly on pesto.
Put on layer of tomato slices.
Spread with yogurt.
Sprinkle with Jack cheese & Parmesan
Put on another sheet of sfoglia.
Repeat all of above.
Top with sheet of pasta covered with sliced tomatoes and small amount of Parmesan.
Bake till golden & bubbly.
THYME-PARMESAN FOCACCIA
1 ziplock Dry ingredients, mix well
3 Pkg. Yeast
3 cups Warm water
½ cup Olive oil
1 zip Parmesan, grated
Mix well. Turn out onto floured surface and knead dough until soft and sticky about 5 minutes. Divide in half and roll out & punch into rounds the size of DO bottom. Let rise about 20 minutes and sprinkle with Parmesan, salt and pepper. With lightly oiled fingertips make indentations, about ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart all over dough. Bake with the lid covered with hot coals for about 20 minutes until golden.
1 ½ Caramel Fudge Pecan Tortes-slice into 30 wedges
It is an exciting time in the Rocky home office as the Idaho Rafting season is quickly approaching. The phone is ringing with excited guests as they plan and prepare for their magical journey down Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon.
As I talk with guests about our world-class rafting trips and I find myself constantly being poised against our desert counterpart, the majestic Grand Canyon. This comes as no surprise as It is common knowledge that the Middle Fork of the Salmon and the Grand Canyon are America’s (and the world’s) “must-do” river trips. Both have world-renowned whitewater, amazing scenery and great history…but in our humble opinion, it’s not even a contest.
Why?
The obvious reason…the Middle Fork is untouched by mankind. In a world where mankind’s fingerprints have touched nearly everything, it is refreshing to find a place that is the same today as when the Shoshone and Sheepeater Indians called it there home. This fact seems especially poignant with the timing of Earth Day and America’s one day reminder to take their shoes off, walk barefoot in the grass, take a deep breath of fresh air, listen to the birds, and appreciate our natural world. On the Middle Fork, Earth Day is every day. This amazing free-flowing river runs the same course as it did when the dinosaurs roamed. You won’t find National Parks, dams and man-made floods. The Middle Fork has very few endangered species ad even fewer invasive species. What you will find is towering Yellow Pines, cascading crystal clear creeks, native West-Slope cutthroat, returning spawning Salmon and hardly the fingerprint of man. Simply put….like no other place on earth.
Lovers (and future lovers) of the Middle Fork owe this ageless gift to the former US senator from Idaho, Frank Forrester Church III. Senator Church was extremely influential securing protection for the unparalleled wilds of central Idaho. Frank Church lead the charge for the Wilderness Act of 1968, The Wild & Scenic River Act, and the Frank Church –River of No Return Wilderness. The result of these three historic pieces of legislature created the majestic Middle Fork of the Salmon. Nowhere else can one find a designated Wild & Scenic River that slices through the largest protected Wilderness Area in the lower 48.
The Middle Fork remains one of the last places in the United States where young generations can visit and experience wilderness in its pure form. It is no surprise Rocky Mountain River Tours has such a large number of returning clients each summer. Once you experience the magic of the Middle Fork you will swear to return, and share it with your closest family and friends. As a steward of the Frank Church Wilderness and and partner with the US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain River Tours is committed to continuing the legacy of the amazing Frank Church Wilderness and the wild Middle Fork of the Salmon for future generations to visit and enjoy.
Our 2013 trips are filling fast. Give us a call to reserve your week in the wilderness and to learn more about our world-class Idaho river trips.
