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SIX OR TWELVE DAY RIVER ADVENTURES

MIDDLE FORK AND MAIN SALMON RIVERS, IDAHO

Camping in Comfort on the Salmon river

CAMPING IN COMFORT

Camping with Canyons is roughing it in comfort and style! Our camp is complete with comfortable chairs, library, guitar (upon request) and a spa box that has all sorts of products to keep you feeling spa fresh on the river!

Team Canyons will give you an entertaining and thorough run-through of camp life once you have arrived at the first night’s camp. Until then, keep reading to better prepare yourself for life on the river!

Here’s the straight scoop on the things that you may have questions or be concerned about.

TOILET

  • A portable toilet system called the Groover, mandated by the US Forest Service and the Wild and Scenic Act.
  • Set up in a very scenic PRIVATE location.
  • Always available when at camp. It can be set up during the day if needed.
  • It has a key system so that you know if it’s in use or not.
  • Has a hand wash system (cleanliness is paramount).
  • You CAN use toilet paper and discard it in the Groover.
  • Has trash for all other non-TP items.
  • Ladies will want to bring small zip locks to transport used feminine products during the day. Used products can be discarded in the trash at camp.
  • Has a pee bucket (no pee goes in the Groover)
  • Usually set up near the river. All pee must go into the river or into a Pee bucket and then into the river.
  • Check out this fun VIDEO

BATHING 

  • No Soap, including biodegradable soap, is permitted in the river, side streams or in the hot springs.
  • You can get wet in the river, and then use our buckets to wash and rinse the soap off above the beach or high water line.
  • Hot spring baths are a treat and are done the same way.
  • Some guests choose to bring a camping-style solar shower.

CLOTHING 

  • The type of fiber is important.
  • Cotton is comfortable in camp, but not on the river. If it gets wet, it makes you colder.
  • Wool and synthetic fibers, such as fleece, pile, Capilene, and polypropylene will keep you warm even when wet.
  • We bring sleeveless, full-length “farmer-john” wetsuits made of neoprene for you to use when it’s cold.
  • Think of two sets of clothing: one for day-time river wear and a second set for camp.
  • On the river, you’ll just need a swimsuit and nylon shorts most of the time.
  • Mornings and evenings can be cool. A fleece layer, rain jacket and pants or wetsuit can keep you warm until mid-morning, when you can stow those items away in your day bag. In June, you may need those layers all day, along with neoprene socks or booties and a wool or synthetic stocking cap.
  • On hot days, you may want to wear a rash guard or light-colored T-shirt to wet and keep you cool. Sun hats and sunscreen are highly recommended as are sun hoodies or sun shirts and long quick-dry pants.
  • In camp, just be comfortable. Cotton is fine because our sleeping tents will keep you dry if it rains. Have a second sweater/fleece in case your river sweater is wet.
  • Guests often bring tropical print shirts and light sundresses or sarongs.
  • In June and late August/September, you should bring a warm jacket (puffy), warm hat, long johns, and wool or synthetic socks. Teva-type, strap-on sandals are ideal for your feet in warm weather. Consider bringing neoprene gloves and booties or socks if your hands and feet get cold. Or, you can wear wool, synthetic or neoprene socks with sneakers. In camp, sneakers or light-weight hiking shoes are perfect.
  • For more information about technical clothing types, read our BLOG: NATURAL or SYNTHETIC

Plan with comfort and warmth as priorities over style. Clothes stay much cleaner on a river trip than on a backpacking trip. It is better to have layers to adjust for changing temperatures than to have multiple changes of the same type of garments. On your first day, plan two sets of clothing. One for the transport in to the river and another for your first day on the river. Dress comfortably for your flight and or bus ride to the river. It’s often cool on early morning flights. You can wear a swimsuit under your clothes or change in the restrooms at the put-in.

CAMPING EQUIPMENT 

  • Canyons provides large two-person dome tents at no charge. We assume couples or siblings will share and single folks will have a private tent. Let us know if it’s not obvious how many tents to bring for you or your group.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to choose your tent site each afternoon. The tents are easy to erect; your guides will show you how and will be available to help if necessary.
  • Guests often sleep under the stars, and just use their tent for changing.
  • For a $35+6% sales tax rental fee, Canyons can provide sleeping bags. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer; make sure it’s rated to 32 degrees. Canyons’ bags are rectangular with full-length zippers. Two can be zipped together for a cozy double bed.
  • We provide 2-inch thick paco pad sleeping pads, complimentary. You are welcome to bring a Thermarest to add on top for an extra cushy bed if your body requires it.

HOW TO PACK 

  • We suggest that you bring your things in a lightweight duffel bag.
  • We’ll provide you with a 16” x 33” waterproof bag that’s labeled with your name. You can either slip your duffel bag directly into the waterproof bag or unload your clothes in the bag (stuff sacks work well to organize things).
  • Ideally, the waterproof bag will hold your sleeping bag, pad and the majority of your clothing. This big bag will be strapped to the raft and will be inaccessible during the day.
  • We’ll also provide a smaller waterproof bag (Day Bag) for each person to carry things that they might like to get to easily during the day, like sunscreen, hat, warm fleece, raincoat, small cameras, books, etc.
  • For those who are using our small plane flights, each guest is limited to 35 lbs. of luggage…..these small planes must adhere strictly to weight limits for your safety, so please be sure to weigh your total luggage ahead of time. Overweight luggage will be subject to an additional surcharge.

FOOD 

  • We love good wholesome food, so much so that we’ve made it its own page. Click here: FOOD IS LOVE

FAUNA 

  • The Middle Fork and Main Salmon lie in a semi-arid desert with only 15 inches of rain per year.
  • A few mosquitoes and/or no-see-ems visit the Middle Fork in late June and early July. Pants and long-sleeved shirts in the evening are about all you need, but you may want to bring along a small bottle of repellent.
  • Yellow-jackets can be a nuisance during late summer meals and require some patience.
  • Often in late summer, we see black bears on shore while we’re floating by, but it is extremely rare for one to come into camp.
  • We do see rattlesnakes on the river and if you see one, count yourself lucky. These incredible creatures are shy and prefer solitude over a crowd so give them space and hike during daylight hours so you can spot them.

FLORA 

  • June trips bring wildflowers galore! You will be amazed at the sheer size of our beautiful timbers that line the river corridor. The sage-covered hillsides will ignite your senses and Idaho’s state flower, Syringa, will make you feel like you’re sniffing the tropical flowers of Hawaii.
  • You will see poison ivy, but it’s easy to spot and avoid. The guides will make sure you can identify it.

WEATHER 

  • Middle Fork air and water temperatures are a little colder than those of the lower elevation Main Salmon (the water and air temperatures on the Main are typically 10-15 degrees higher than on the Middle Fork).
  • Typical June weather is 70’s during the day and 40’s at night with the water temperatures in the 40’s. Everything warms gradually to the hottest days in the ’80s-’90s in August with pleasant evenings.
  • The water in late summer is a delightful swimming temperature. September is a bit cooler.
  • We typically have a few rainy days in June, but only occasional showers the rest of the summer.
  • Atypical, but possible, are snow in June, hot 100 degree days in August and chilly rains in September.
  • Check out our current weather and river levels here: WEATHER & RIVER LEVELS

SOURCES FOR CLOTHING AND RIVER GEAR:

CASCADE OUTFITTERS (Boise): 800-223-RAFT (7238)  www.cascadeoutfitters.com

IDAHO RIVER SPORTS (Boise): 800-936-4844  www.idahoriversports.com

RIVER WEAR (Stanley): 208-774-3592  www.riverwear.com

ADVENTURE TRAVEL SUPPLY (web): www.adventuretravelsupply.com

NORTHWEST RIVER SUPPLY (Moscow, Idaho): 877-677-4327  www.nrs.com