5 Reasons-Main Salmon-Perfect Family Vacation

March 2, 2016 9:19 pm

The Main Salmon….your next family vacation!

Here are a few reasons why…

Huge Beaches:

The Main Salmon is a high volume, free flowing river. It’s journey begins in the Saw Tooth Mountains outside of Stanley, Idaho and travels 425 miles to it’s confluence with the Snake River. Along the way it picks up sediments (with it’s high volume) and then deposits them, creating huge white sandy beaches. Most camps have enough beach to play any number of games or sports, including ultimate frisbee, football, volleyball, building sandcastles and having splashy fights . These wonderfully large beaches also provide for great camping with riverfront camp sites.

Hot springs:

Along the rivers edge, natural Hot Springs bubble out of the ground as the water is pushed up from deep in the earth where it has been heated by magma or steam. River runners throughout time have constructed pools that are still used for soaking. There is nothing better than treating yourself to a soak, in the middle of the wilderness. Curious about how hot springs form? Check out Idaho Geology.

Friendly whitewater for all crafts….pool toys included:

Classified as a “pool and drop” river, the Main Salmon provides endless fun for all types. “Pool and Drop” translates as a river with a calm pools above and below the rapids, allowing for preparation and recovery. Whether you’re a Kayaker, Stand Up Paddle boarder, Canoeist or Newbie, this river is as friendly as whitewater gets. Class 2-3 whitewater is perfect for starting out, trying new crafts, honing your skills, surfing, pushing yourself and ultimately becoming one with the river.

Rich Human History:

Humans have been calling this region their home for upwards of 10,000 years. Along the journey, one has the opportunity to view pictographs, paintings left on the rock faces by various Native American tribes that frequented the area. Miners settled in the area in the 1800’s and left behind evidence of their inhabitance. Settlers claimed homesteads, planted orchards, gardened, hunted and made a life for themselves here. Some of the homesteads are still inhabited today by modern day pioneers. You may even get the chance to check out one of these off-the-grid, modern day sustenance lifestyles.

Hiking:

The Salmon river drainage is one of the deepest drainages in North America which provides for some amazing vistas. Having been a mining territory during the age of Gold Rushes, there are hundreds of trails bisecting the wilderness. Most camps have trails to explore or you can bring your gators and head up the hill true bushwhack style.

In a nut shell:

As you can see it’s as though the Main Salmon was made for families. The age limit for kids is 6 and older. The rapids are mostly class 2-3 (friendly). Camps are big and provide land based or riverside activities galore! There are many different types of crafts for everyone to try out, on the flat water stretches or through the rapids. The water is warm and summer time temps are quite pleasant. There is no internet or phone service, therefor everyone is disconnected from technology and present in the moment with each other. At night, the campfire instigates story telling and music. And when the day is done, starlight or moonlight shadows illuminate your way to bed.

IMAGINE….you and your family here!