Northwest Rafting Company - Salmon River

My husband, a few other family members, and I used Northwest Rafting Company to float the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in July 2023, and I am constantly wanting to get back on the river because of how the guides made the trip so enjoyable!
The guides, Dan, Brodie, Cody, Katie, Natalie, Conor, and Ellie, were the best of the best! They were fun, knowledgeable, skilled (always felt safe with them), and so hardworking! I was so impressed with them preparing meals, cleaning up meals, setting up/taking down camp, rowing/paddling all day- the list goes on, yet they never showed tiredness and they made time to sit and chat with us.
The food was also amazing - way better than what I was expecting! Not only do you get your three meals - but you also get snacks and appetizers that are excellent! I also just appreciate the overall organization of the trip - camp organization and how our day was spent on the river.
My husband and I are already trying to find some friends and/or family to join us again on the Middle Fork, and we would use this company again with no hesitation.

We had an amazing trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River with NWRC in August! This was my third trip with this company, and it was as incredible as the rest.Their COVID protocols made us feel safe without being invasive. The quality of the guides, excellent gear, and the delicious food make this the best company on this river. The Middle Fork is one of the most beautiful and natural rivers in the US and the rapids are fun without being too intimidating. Book your trip now, you won't regret it!

We had a wonderful family trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River with Northwest Rafting this summer. Everything about it was top-notch, from the pre-trip communications from the NW Rafting office, to the welcome/orientation meeting, the quick flight from Stanley to river put-in, and of course the river itself. NW Rafting's experienced guides are always great, super personable both on- and off-water, really competent, and very hospitable. The rafting & whitewater were really fun, and the off-river activities - hikes, explorations, great campsites - put the trip over the top. Our extended party (3 families, kids aged 9-18) had a good time all around. We booked this trip a year in advance and we're glad we did, as they only get a certain allotment of spaces on the river each year.

One of the coolest experiences I've ever had! Firstly, the people at NRC are fantastic. Every interaction I had was helpful, professional, and clear. Being on the river was wonderful. I felt completely secure with our very experienced and personable guides. It was my first-ever rafting trip and I am a total convert. Would highly recommend this company. It was the perfect blend of being taken care of and camping. We saw bald eagles, mink, and bighorn sheep. The terrain is beyond stunning. Go if you can, and these folks will take good care of you.

I traveled from NH and had the experience of a lifetime! Zach and his crew are incredible guides, and they were a pleasure to get to spend time with. The food provided was great and the crew had positive/supportive attitudes all around. We had some rain during camp time, and the crew reacted by putting up tarp shelters to make us all as comfortable as possible. NWRC does everything they can to provide an A+ trip, I will adventure with them again any time I am able.

Best trip ever. Amazing group of professional, knowledgeable, and easy going guides. We had so much fun! Northwest Rafting took care of us every step of the way. This is one of the greatest outdoor trips anywhere in the world and Northwest is the best company on the Middle Fork.

I had such a wonderful time on the Middle Fork with Northwest! They truly have the best crew; most knowledgeable, personable, professional, and fun crew on the block! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced whitewater kayaker, they know how to help you have the time of your life! We all know that setting up camp, food, and fostering a safe/clean and fun environment is not easy, yet they have it down to a science and make it look effortless! Thanks again! We'll be back =)

I rafted the Middle Fork of the Salmon River with NWRC. It was an absolutely amazing experience. The river and wilderness area are beautiful. All the guides were professional, highly skilled, helpful, and just a pleasure to be around and talk to. The guides really take care of you, including by preparing spectacular meals (and cleaning up afterwards). The other guests were also kind and interesting, and it was wonderful to share the experience with them. I thought the trip was a great balance of going down the river and whitewater and relaxing at camp. I struggle to think how it could've been better. I'm excited to go on another trip with NWRC, and would recommend them without hesitation.

Our trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River from July 3-8 was one of the best experiences my family and I have every had. This is a wonderful adventure on an iconic river in a beautiful wilderness, but what brings everything together is the guides of Northwest Rafting Company. the trip was extremely well-organized, the food was outstanding and the guides all just straight up fun, attentive and cool people who provided for a very memorable experience. If you have any thought of doing this trip, don't wait any longer to pull the trigger. Do it and go with this company. You will not be disappointed.

Just finished a 6 day trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. It was truly an amazing trip. Besides the spectacular scenery, Zach and his guides really made the trip. Not only were they were professional and put our comfort and safety first, they were really awesome people to hang out with. The food was great and there was plenty of good drinks (they even had fancy Scotch!) It really felt like a trip you went on with your friends or family. They all shared great stories about the history of the river. There were kids on the trip and they were really great with them too. I can't recommend this trip or Northwest Rating more. I am definitely going to do another trip with them, probably on the Rouge River but maybe even the trip to Bhutan!

My friends and I had the most amazing trip. It far exceeded my expectations. The water, the scenery, the guides, and the food were all top notch. I would highly recommend this trip and Northwest Rafting to anyone consider a trip in this region. Thank you, team!

A trip with a stunning river canyon setting every day, with guides who know the river and how best to share it's beauties and rich history with you, with a great camp atmosphere and fantastic menus to keep your belly happy and your energy up for some great paddling.
Zach and the crew he has put together for the Middle Fork are top notch and I cannot praise them enough for the well crafted experience they provide on river as well as in camp. spending comfortable nights under the stars.
Not the first time I've floated the Middle Fork of the Salmon with NWRC and hopefully not the last.

I have done a trip with NWRC twice now on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River (as an 11yo and a 23yo), and they are the two best trips I have ever been on. This trip attracts people who are incredibly down-to-earth, friendly, interesting, and excited. The guides are no different. Each day they cook amazing food, engage with guests on a personal level, lead rowboats and navigate extremely competently and safely on the river, and then they get up and do it all over again the next day.

We went on a number of adventures beyond rafting the river as well. On multiple days we hiked to hot springs, incredible waterfalls, cliff jumps, and wonderful overlook points (I am told, because that afternoon I opted to play bocci ball and drink margaritas instead of hiking up a mountain – but to each their own). Along the journey we spotted tons of natural wildlife: bighorn sheep, bears, eagles, osprey, and snakes.

If you are a nature lover, an adventure lover, a lover of great conversation, a lover of the dark night sky, or just want a break from technology, I truly cannot recommend this trip or this group of people more.

I can't say enough about the professionalism and friendliness of the staff. They take the time to get to know each and every person on day one. The food is unbelievable. We had a pretty large group and I was so impressed by how easy they made their jobs look. These guys work so hard and created a trip of a lifetime!

This is a truly amazing trip. The river and scenery are unmatched in my experience, but what really makes the trip great are NWRC and the guides. Everything is extremely well run and organized. While cognizant of safety, they work hard to make sure everyone experiences everything the river has to offer -- rapids, jumps, hikes, hot springs, etc. And the meals are great!

This is the second trip we've taken with NWRC. I'd come EVERY summer if I could. Guides are professional and also AMAZING. So much knowledge about the area and also very safety conscious. Tents, sleeping bags they give you are great. Food in camp is awesome and so many games to play while you're enjoying the fire. The views are beautiful, rapids are super fun and to be completely off the grid for 6 days is life changing. We loved being with Zach, Yann, Nataly, Brody, Cody, Daniel, Caleb and Katie on the trip. You guys made it awesome.

My wife and I rafted down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. This was a 6-day, 5-night trip; we had a great time! The people associated with NW Rafting we’re professional, safety conscious, warm and friendly. I’d highly recommend NW Rafting and this trip.

Having never been on a multi day rafting trip I was unsure about what to expect, and a little apprehensive about a week on the river. Would I be the first guest of NWRC to fall from the raft in quiet water? Would I have to fend off a bear on the way to the groover? And what the heck is a groover? I need not have worried. It was evident from Zach’s first world famous talk that NWRC staff prioritize safety during every aspect of the trip. Luckily for guests, the guides and staff also prioritize fun, food, games, professionalism, kindness and education. No question was too stupid (I challenged this theory multiple times), and the guides were more than happy to share their expertise. The friendly, confident, and easygoing nature of NWRC guides and staff helped our group of guests click right away, which made our trip even more magical. Basically the staff kept our group of 19 (17 adults) safe, warm and fed for six days while we played on, in, and near the river. And the only living thing I needed to fend off were a few bees who thought I might share my bagel/cream cheese and lox (with capers and red onions). You know, typical camping food. We’ve been home less than a week, and I miss everyone, especially the guides, who shared their love of the river, wildlife, and adventure every moment of the trip.

My family and I went on a 6 day rafting trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River with NWRC. The guides were extremely professional, kind and fun. They took care of everyone's needs and daily made sure that we knew what was coming up the next day. They judged the abilities of all to determine who could safely navigate the river by themselves, with help or who got to be the motor on the rafting boat for the day. They were knowledgeable about the history of the river and how to continue to keep it pristine. The food and gear were great, so all we had to bring was ourselves and personal gear. All in all, it was a great trip and I would recommend it to families and individuals alike.

The folks at Northwest Rafting are awesome. For over 20 years, I've been on many different rafting and river trips, and the Northwest team is the best. The team enjoys working with one-another, tends to clients in helpful ways, and keeps the trips safe, fun, and easy while still allowing for adventure. They also have very pragmatic and safe practices for dealing with COVID-19 so concerns on that front are addressed. If you're thinking of a Middle Fork Salmon, Rogue, or other trip offered by Zach and the NWR team, I strongly recommend! If you're a whitewater kayaker, they also will welcome you and can find ways to accommodate kayakers on the trip - very fun.