No phones, no traffic, no hassles - just the splash of oars and paddles or the roar of rushing whitewater as you ride the river through deep arid canyons accessible only by water. From the launch site near Whitebird or Pine Bar you will wind your way through the rugged Salmon River gorge to join the Snake River in Hells Canyon. From the confluence of these two majestic rivers, you will float the last roadless miles of Hells Canyon to our take-out at Heller Bar. During the adventure you will challenge the largest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states, float the two deepest river gorges in North America, and traverse three states. Whitewater! The Lower Gorge has plenty - Snowhole, China Slide, Bodacious Bounce, Gobbler, Sluicebox, Demon's Drop, just to name a few. Choose to participate in a paddle raft, paddle your own inflatable kayak, or just hang on in an oar powered raft; the adventure level is up to you. Guests often trade in and out of rafts and kayaks so even if you're a little apprehensive about paddling a kayak or smaller raft in big water, you'll have an opportunity to hone your skills in calmer water. Because of the nature of free flowing rivers, the Salmon offers an abundance of pristine white sand beaches, affording the highest quality camping of any river we know. Meals include generous portions of hearty western fare. The seasoned Lower Gorge guides pride themselves in their dutch oven and barbecue cuisine. Steak/Salmon feasts and eggs benedict are the norm with plenty of fresh breads, fruits, and vegetables. Pineapple upside down cake tastes especially delicious on the river. A smorgasbord of deli items are served at lunch to satisfy even the most particular dieter. At night, choose to tent camp or just sleep out under the blanket of the Milky Way. The deep gorge frames the clear western night sky to seemingly join the heavens with the canyon rim. Wake to the smell of freshly brewed coffee or the feel of the soft morning sun on your face. The 52 mile Lower Gorge of the Salmon has cut its way through thousands of feet (and millions of years) of geologic history. You'll pass through steep granite and metamorphosed volcanic gorges which will open to roomier columnar basalt formations. The diverse landscapes provide habitat to an equally diverse collection of animals and plant life, including deer, golden eagles, and bighorn sheep. River otter, cougar, and bears are also common in the canyon. We pass by crossings used by Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce in their flight from the U.S. Calvary in 1877. We will also visit Chinese pit dwellings, abandoned homesteads, and old mining claims. The guides will take you deep into the Pullman Mine at the confluence of the Salmon and Snake. Salmon River Experience provides transportation to and from the river, delivering you back to your motel in by about 6:00 p.m. on the last day. You need to bring your personal gear. You are provided with rafting, camping, cooking and eating equipment, along with sleeping pad and tent.

Enjoy a one day trip in Riggins, the Whitewater Capital, for a day of western whitewater excitement. Ride the waves in Time Zone, Tight Squeeze, Traps Creek and Black Rock, just to name a few. If our self-bailing paddle and rowing rafts aren't exciting enough to suit your thrill level, hop into an inflatable kayak. The "pool and drop" Salmon River offers calm pools between rapids; so even if you do tip, just keep your feet up and ride it out in your highly buoyant commercial whitewater life jacket. This one day whitewater adventure is perfect for groups, reunions, and parties, as well as adventurous individuals. If you want to add a new dimension to your whitewater adventure, try the two day trip in Riggins. You will enjoy camping along the river, Dutch oven meals, camaraderie around the campfire, and falling asleep out under the open summer skies. You will raft 19 miles per day and camp near Spring Bar Campground. The first day is spent floating the more scenic upper section and the second day rafting the more challenging Riggins stretch where we run our 1-day adventures.

Salmon River Experience invites you to experience the magnificent beauty and awesome power of Hells Canyon and the Snake River. According to Nez Perce legend, Coyote dug this massive canyon with a stick. He did a pretty darn good job, creating North America's deepest gorge; the river lies more than 8,000 feet below He Devil Mountain in the Seven Devils Range. Exhilarating rapids, an awesomely gorgeous canyon, historical places and stories, friendly, knowledgeable, safe guides and camaraderie await you on your Hells Canyon whitewater adventure. Whitewater! Plenty of BIG, BIG water! Class IV rapids Wild Sheep and Granite Creek will fill your need to rock out; other Class II and III rapids such as Bernard Creek, Water Spout, Rush Creek, and the Imnaha, will challenge even the most adventurous whitewater enthusiast in SRE's fun sized self-bailing rafts and inflatable kayaks. You may choose to actively participate in a stern mount paddle raft or inflatable kayak; or hang on and let your guide do all the work in a center mount raft. The adventure level is up to you. Hells Canyon affords SRE the opportunity to showcase Idaho in all its splendor. In early summer the canyon abounds in luscious green and wildflowers. By peak summer the canyon turns golden, with hot days and warm water. You may find yourself floating beside your raft more than in it; regardless, you will find that your fellow travelers are more than willing to cool you down with a spirited water fight. Hells Canyon is home to an abundant array of wildlife including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, deer, elk, bears, otters, along with song birds and raptors (eagles, owls, hawks and vultures). You will explore old homesteads and mining claims and view pictographs and petroglyphs. In the evening SRE guides will wine, dine and entertain. With our 30+ years in the hospitality business, those who have traveled with us before know that SRE guides put on a Dutch oven affair to remember. SRE provides transportation to and from the river on the 3-day adventures, delivering you back to Riggins by about 5:00 p.m. on the last day. On 5-day adventures SRE provides transportation to the river from the meeting place at Riggins, then have your car professionally shuttled to Heller Bar to be waiting for you when you get off the river by about 3:00 p.m. A shuttle charge of $150 per vehicle applies to 5-day adventures.