Our 2023 Specialty Trips

Check out our variety of specialty trips, designed for all interests and walks of life.  From our high water LGBTQ trip to our Wine and Culinary Trip to our Women’s trips in 2023, Canyons continues to promote diversity in our wilderness. We believe river trips can change the world one forward stroke at at time. We welcome paddlers of all levels and abilities from across the globe.

“LGBTQ+ River Pride”

HIGH  WATER  June 7-11  MAIN SALMON

Celebrating Diversity …Idaho style! As the only gay-owned company on the Middle Fork, join Canyons outfitter Greg McFadden as we host this annual tradition on the beautiful Main Salmon. Explore the wilderness with a colorful mix of characters, new and old friends alike. Attracting primarily Gay Men this trip is open to all and has been paddled by and array of diverse guides and guests covering the many colors of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Get spicy this year as we host on the early season high water of the Main Salmon. Not only are the days filled with fast water and big rapids, but our June days are also filled with lots of hiking time. And don’t forget that fabulous menu! Our delicious Canyons spread includes meals like authentic Maryland Crab Cakes with mouth-watering grilled New York Strip. Come raise a glass or two on the mighty Main Salmon River, in the Heart of the Frank Church Wilderness, with beautiful scenery, exciting whitewater, and incredible human history and join us on an adventure of a lifetime! Pride…Outside.

Stay tuned for a HIGH WATER JUNE 1 2024 LGBTQ+ MIDDLE FORK trip!

“Culinary Confluence”
Wine & Culinary Trip with a Lodge Stay

August 28- September 2 MAIN SALMON and MacKay Bar Ranch.

What is it about incredible food that it makes you close your eyes, utter a moan of delight and leave you wanting more? Why does it take over your senses, stir your emotions and tantalize your thoughts? Why is wine such an amazing compliment to food? Join Pug Ostling, formerly of the Grape Escape wine bar in downtown Boise and our very own “WHIZZY”, Lisa Whisnant, our Chef and senior guide here at Canyons. Together they will pair spectacular dishes like grilled duck breast with a cinnamon cabernet sauce, with new and old world wines. Pug will educate and explore your wine palate while Whizzy treats your taste buds to a culinary journey you will never forget. Together we will “eat, drink and be merry” on the beautiful white sand beaches of the Main Salmon River. The last night of the trip will be spent at the historic Mackay Bar Lodge. On the final morning of the trip, you will fly off the river in a backcountry plane (arranged by us) back to Boise, Salmon or McCall.  (PLEASE NOTE: A BACKCOUNTRY FLIGHT OUT FROM MACKAY BAR ON THE LAST DAY OF THE TRIP IS REQUIRED. Because our guests have different origination points, the final destination to McCall, Salmon, or Boise will determine the final TRIP PRICE and flight costs.)

“Women’s Adventure Retreat” in 2023.

September 5-10 MAIN SALMON  2023

Anna Levesque with ‘Girls at Play’ and Melissa DeMarie with ‘Cali Collective’ join together for 6 days of celebrating women who like to get outside and ADVENTURE! Experience the beautiful Main Salmon as Autumn sets in, with exciting whitewater, tranquil flat water, big sandy beaches, fall colors, and spectacular wilderness. Enjoy hiking on 200-year-old trails, morning and afternoon yoga sessions, paddling exploration and instruction, well balanced, nutritious fresh prepared foods catered to an Ayurvedic style diet and the wonderful camaraderie of fellow women travelers. Experience the river in an inflatable kayak, hardshell kayak (class III-IV experience required), stand up paddleboard, paddleboat or oar raft. Sleep under the stars, tell stories by the campfire, read a book next to the river, journal, paint, meditate or do whatever your heart desires with the caring support of like-minded ladies.

What’s in the works…

First Descents is coming back in 2024 to paddle the Main Salmon. Call us to sponsor a young adult cancer fighter who kayaks.

Additionally, in 2024 the GREENING YOUTH FOUNDATION staff retreat will return to Idaho and the Middle Fork of the Salmon.

Here at Canyons, we hold a philosophy that EVERYONE deserves to experience the magic of river life. We want to share this very healing place that helped shape all of us. If you are interested in helping sponsor a trip or donating to these causes please give Greg a call directly at (208) 634-4303 or email us at [email protected] . Furthermore, if you are passionate about a non-profit that may be a good fit to host on the river, please let us know. The Middle Fork and Main Salmon have changed our lives. We are looking to you to help us influence and better the lives of others.

CANYONS Guides “Give Backs”. Every summer, we empower one of our guides in choosing a non-profit to donate a future trip to. It is our way of involving our guide family in the giving process. If you are from one of these selected non-profits, expect to hear from one of our guides. She or he will walk you through the booking process and show you how to use this generous donation to aid in your fundraising efforts.

Canyons River Company is a proud supporter of the Redside Foundation.