Idaho Whitewater Rafting Adventures
Looking for a trip of a lifetime? Go on an Idaho whitewater rafting adventure down the Salmon river. It’s one of the best family trips you’ll ever take!
Hi Everyone!
I’m really excited to share my latest adventure with you…
Whitewater Rafting down the Salmon and Snake Rivers in Idaho!
Idaho Whitewater Rafting Highlights
Here are some of the highlights of my trip, along with some of my favorite photos…
I have to say it was definitely fun taking pictures of scenery and people as opposed to food for a change 🙂
Pre-Whitewater Rafting in Boise, Idaho
We started the trip in Boise, Idaho which is a really cool city. Last time I was there I was about 5 or 6. I don’t remember much from that trip, other than going snow shoeing, but I’m guessing things have changed a little.
We had a delicious dinner at Chandler’s Steakhouse the first night, then spent the next morning exploring an incredible local farmer’s market, along with the state Capitol Building.
Next Stop: Little Salmon Lodge
We spent two nights at this beautiful lodge nestled beside the Little Salmon River. {FYI-If anyone has any aspirations of owning a lodge by the river in Idaho, this one’s up for sale!} My family shared a room with 2 double bed and 6 bunk beds.
As excited as the kids were about those bunk beds, in the end they chose to sleep in bed with us. Oh, and not to boast, but we played a game of croquet by the river, and guess who won???
Official Kickoff of our Idaho Whitewater Rafting Adventures
Clearly a major highlight of the trip! This was my first time ever white water rafting, and it was a blast! My dad, {who invited us to go with him on the trip-THANK YOU Dad!!!!}, had been once before on the Colorado River, and Ian had done a few day trips, but the kids and I had never been before.
We did mostly class 2 and 3 rapids on our Idaho whitewater rafting trip, with a couple of class 4’s as well. I now know how people can get addicted to rafting, and I’m already thinking about where our next rafting trip should be! Any suggestions???
Time for a Break: Hanging Out on The Salmon and Snake River Beaches
Each day we spent about 5-6 hours on the river, then ended our days on beautiful sandy beaches. The setting was truly spectacular! One of the best part of the trip for me was waking up in the morning, unzipping my tent to the beautiful view, then making my way across the sand to the BEST camp coffee ever!
Oh, and it was a delight watching my kids unplug from their electronic gadgets and spend HOURS of time playing in the river, on the sand, skipping rocks, catching frogs, and simply enjoying nature!
What Do You Eat On Your Idaho Whitewater Rafting Trip?
I couldn’t write this post and not mention the food! Best camp food ever. Period. I already mentioned the delicious coffee each morning. Breakfast always include fresh fruit and fixings for oatmeal, then depending upon the day, eggs or pancakes.
For lunch, we would stop somewhere on the river for fresh fruit and a salad {taco salad…chicken curry salad…} or cold cuts, and veggies. Oh, and then there were the cookies for dessert! I couldn’t partake of those as they weren’t gluten-free, but there were always gluten-free options for me including gluten-free pasta, bread and crackers, and there were also vegetarian options every day for those on a vegetarian diet.
Around 5 pm when we were at our camp site, the appetizers came out. Tuna Poke one night, Turkey, cheese and asparagus roll-ups another night…cheese, crackers, and veggies…bruschetta…You get the picture!
Dinner was served around 7 or 7:30 and was always delicious…lasagna….enchiladas….roasted asparagus…surf and turf! And the best part of all??? I didn’t have to cook any of it! You guys know how much I love cooking, but it’s nice to take a break once in a while!
Our Idaho whitewater rafting guides were the best ever too!
The guides on our trip from Northwest Voyageurs were incredible! Their days lasted from 6 am until around 10 pm when most of us started heading off to bed. They hauled 26 people and all our gear for 5 days down the rivers.
They cooked us all our meals, rowed our rafts {we helped out by paddling some, but they really did all the work!}, set up our tents, played games with us on the beach {volleyball…washers…frisbee…raft sliding…and, last, but not least, “butt darts”-I’ll only tell if somebody asks :-). All with big smiles on their faces. Truly amazing!
And, then, of course, there were all the fabulous people and families we met and hung out with. It was truly an adventure my family and I will never forget!
Let’s Chat!
Have you ever been on an Idaho whitewater rafting trip? Do you like to camp? What has been your greatest adventure this summer? What about your greatest adventure in life???
Looks like tones of fun..Beautiful photos!
What a fun trip! I love your pictures – especially the food. 🙂
this looks like an awesome trip and great eats love it thanks for sharing EA
You totally make me want to do this. We ski all winter so summer trips can be more tame. My biggest adventure was probably Semester at Sea in college. I’ve never rafted but would love to hmn.
Karriann and Sanjeeta- Thanks so much for your comments Believe it or not it was my first time cliff jumping and I was a little nervous, but just went for it -twice! After my 8 and 9 yo did it, how could I not?!
What a fun filled exciting camping, EA! i can’t do what all you have tried there even in my dreams..jumping off the cliff 🙂 Those veggies look so fresh and full of life.
EA thanks so sharing looks like you had a lovely time in Idaho. Holy Smokes you jumped off the cliff…cheers to you for being brave! Like I mentioned earlier I’ve passed up a few white water rafting trips when I lived in Maine….
Dear EA, your travelog and pictures are spectacular. Thank you so much for such an inspiring post. You nailed it. Might you be interested in allowing us to repost this article on our tourism blog? Coffee riverside on those beaches is heaven. Did you visit any hot springs on your river trip?-that’s what takes my breath away.
No hot springs this time, but looks like we need to go back and surf so we’ll have to check out the hot springs on our next trip 🙂
Regan, Maris, Kristen, and Erin-Thanks so much for your comments! Hope you all get to go rafting one day!
I’ve never been to Idaho, but it’s going on “my list.” Beautiful photos! I love to camp, and I think we’ll take the toddler on his first camping trip next summer. I’d also love to go on a rafting trip once the toddler is a lot older!
Yes-definitely when your son is older 🙂 My kids are 8 and 9 (minimum age for this trip is 7) and they had a blast. I enjoyed reading about our trip to Disneyland!
Andrea, I’m impressed that you are game to take a toddler camping, what a lucky kid. May I suggest taking advantage of some of the yurts and cabins you can find for rent in the Idaho State Park system. It’s not exactly glamping but it helps keep it comfortable and safe for all. http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/lodging/index.aspx
Wow, this looks just amazing! The food does look incredible.
I have never been river rafting but it is definitely up there on my list!
Kristen, should your travels bring you to Idaho here is a page to help you find the perfect rafting trip for you. EA’s dad picked an outstanding outfitter, Northwest Voyageurs. Fortunately we have many others that run everything from simple half day trips up to 7 days and more. She’s right they get addictive! http://www.visitidaho.org/whitewater/
I used to love camping with my family! This trip looks like so much fun!!
Looks like a wonderful trip!! Glad you had such a nice time.
Thanks for sharing EA! Spectacular is the right word–what a fabulous five days:) And some great memories with your dad!
Good thing you had 5-6 hours of hard paddling to work off the calories from all that amazing food!
HI Michelle! It was great getting to go with my dad, but I don’t think we paddled enough to work off all the calories 🙂
Wow, this sounds like a great trip! I am a little scared of white water rafting as we once went “tubing” and it was a life or very close to death situation!!! Rivers do scare me now, but this seems sooo fun! And the food and the activities! Awesome, thanks for sharing!
Thanks Nelly! I could see how you might be a little leery of rafting, but the rafts never came close to tipping over, so it was really fun, more than scary 🙂
The scenery is spectacular!
Thanks so much for your comment Vicky! It truly was a beautiful setting!
What a fabulous trip you had!! Thank you for sharing with us, your readers 🙂
And I am loving your photos as always. I don’t usually consider heading away from the ocean for holiday, but your post has made me reconsider! My hubby would LOVE to have a holiday like this one.
Welcome home 🙂
Thanks Patti! I have a feeling you might love a holiday like this too!