Idaho
Whitewater Rafting Adventure on Idaho's Lower Salmon River
Program No. 4830RJ
Join us for a challenging and enriching adventure that’ll have you rafting the Salmon River, learning about local wildlife and gaining insight into the region’s unique history and lore.
Participant Reviews
Based on 21 Reviews
SHOWING
If you like a thrilling kayak experience, this is safe enough as the guides are always looking out there for your safety
— Review left September 8, 2025
The trip was amazing. The natural beauty of the Salmon River Canyon is awe inspiring- thousands of stars at night, the pure cool rushing river, beautiful canyon walls, and big horn sheep and bald eagles. The best part was the excellent guides that made it possible, and the friendly and engaged group. The healthy, tasty, and creative meals were great too! A first-rate experience.
— Review left September 7, 2025
Very qualified staff. Hoped for more information on local history and greater opportunity for off-river activities.
— Review left September 5, 2025
This is an amazing experience for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. The air is clear, the stars sparkle, the river lulls you to sleep. The rafting team goes above and beyond - I have never seen such a hard-working group - and they work together seamlessly. It was wonderful spotting the wildlife, from eagles to river otters and more.
— Review left September 1, 2025
The lower Salmon River in Idaho is an excellent and fun river to raft with qualified guides. The guides with O.R.E. worked diligently to provide a safe and fun trip. This rafting trip is great and I think any Road Scholar member will enjoy it.
— Review left August 20, 2025
What a fantastic and engaging program. ORE team is very knowledgeable, sharing advice and keeping everyone safe and well fed!!
— Review left August 18, 2025
A real out of your comfort zone trip! Hard to decide whether the scenery, the guides or our fellow travelers made it so special but the whole thing really clicked. The rafting was my personal favorite but that would be unfair to the other aspects: sight seeing, food, conversation. While the trip is vigorous as advertised, it was worth the effort! If you have a bucket list, consider adding this one.
— Review left August 14, 2025
This program was terrific. I loved the adventure of being on the river and in the wilderness, away from the internet, off the grid. The guides were great, the food was good, the rapids were exciting. I had never done anything quite like this and loved every minute of it....even the thunderstorm!
— Review left August 12, 2025
Sleeping outside my tent under the stars. Swimming a rapid. Kayaking several level III rapids. Making new friends. All were highlights for me.
— Review left August 12, 2025
I was looking for a challenge for someone my age. This program definitely fit the bill. I got to experience a totally different part of the USA than I have ever seen. The float down the Salmon River was relaxing and challenging at the same time..I liked that you had options each day - - ride while a guide rowed, paddle with fellow participants with a guide or paddle by yourself in an inflatable kayak. We were off grid for the duration of the trip. No stops for fast food or Starbucks coffee along the way. Our guide did have a satellite phone in case of emergency. Due to the organized staff, we had everything we needed. I highly recommend this trip to those interested in a challenge. You do have to pitch in with unloading and reloading the rafts, setting up your tent and taking it down ,etc. Otherwise, you can customize your rafting experience to your comfort level. Go for it!
— Review left August 28, 2024
This rafting/Glamping trip was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. We had an incredible group of 14 and crew of 6. I’m still walking around in state of bliss. The natural beauty of this canyon is best seen from a raft. This is a real life Tom Sawyer experience. Cowboy chuckwagon style home cooked meals (3) and charcuterie + wine happy hour every day. And to keep it exciting a microburst of hail, gale force wind and rain hit the campsite. A special shout out to Natalie who threw 2 giant rocks into the corners of my tent to keep it from tumbling down the hill. (And Carl, fellow camper, who staked down my tent rain tarp) Also Natalie gave an excellent riverside talk about the formation of the canyon and the impact of water. But the real thanks goes to RYLIN, our fearless leader! Thank you for your attention to keeping us safe and well informed all matters from “the groover” to raft/kayak safety. Your positive/happy/smart approach to life is contagious. Without your support and encouragement I never would have attempted to try the kayak. Many thanks Rylin! And finally, a very special thanks to Pascal, Lucy, Ben and Eli for your behind the scene hustle. Loading the rafts, cooking and all the stuff we take for granted. Thank you crew. Best.ever. vacation.
--mo--
— Review left August 19, 2024
This was a well run raft trip--much like I would expect from any professional outfitter. Food was great and staff were capable and a joy to be around. Unfortunately, there was no instructor along to enrich our understanding of the geology, history, river hydrology, rafting techniques, wildlife or flora. We were given a couple of handouts, and had tidbits shared like you would expect from any outfitter, but sadly, some of information shared was even inaccurate. There was a lot of free time just hanging out that would be spent with instruction in a typical Road Scholar trip. I was so looking forward to learning in the field setting and, while I enjoyed floating down the river, could have done that with anyone--I wanted the Road Scholar experience.
— Review left November 13, 2023
Oregon River Experiences gave me an opportunity to white water raft without pulling together my personal equipment, plan food, cook and cleanup on a multi day float trip --I could just relax and enjoy the river and my companions.
I am ready to sign up for the Owyhee and Rogue! Thank you Todd, Mike, Alex and Ben for a memorable Lower Salmon float.
— Review left September 6, 2023
I had a fun time expanding my comfort zone by trying the kayaks in the rapids!
A very enjoyable trip with great scenery, good guides, tasty food, fine camping equipment and friendly participants.
— Review left September 6, 2023
I've been on many multi-day river trips, and this was one of the best. The river guides (Todd, Michael, Alex & Ben) were well-organized, skillful, adaptable, and kind. They did all the hard work so participants could relax and enjoy being on the river. The food was delicious and plentiful. Instruction was given in short talks throughout the day rather than in formal lectures, which was appropriate for the outdoor setting. Floating the river, sleeping under the stars, and experiencing the magnificent river canyons was glorious!
I'd like to address comments posted below on 8/25/2023, as my thoughts are very different:
1. I believe adequate kayaking instruction was given. Participants should expect to assume some personal responsibility to assess their own abilities, pay attention to the guides, and ask questions if concepts are unclear. A megaphone for communicating with participants would not be feasible on the river.
2. The River Bank toilet system, made by Selway Fabrication, was provided by the rafting outfitter, not by Road Scholar. This system is widely used and well regarded for multi-day river trips. A river toilet must be sturdy, able to contain enough waste for the entire trip, absolutely leakproof, and compliant with river regulations. An RV-style porta-potty, although more aesthetically pleasing, does not meet these requirements. I did not find the River Bank toilet system "filthy" as stated below.
— Review left August 31, 2023
overall a great program
— Review left August 29, 2023
I used the camping gear provided by the company and was happy with the quality. I recommend taking a personal day bag for use in the raft as the group day bag was not always handy. Also I wish I had a waterproof phone case for taking pictures while on the river.
— Review left August 29, 2023
Good trip. Two suggestions...
1. People were kayaking who had little or no experience in doing so. A 20 minute briefing on terms used and how to manage a kayak in whitewater would be a good idea. We were lucky that no one was seriously hurt. Also, a megaphone to be used by trip leader when giving commands to kayakers might be a good idea. Some of the kayakers either ignored directions being given or could not hear above the noise of the water.
2. Toilet situation...I am sure that Road Scholar could afford to invest in some nifty outdoor toilet system. There are plenty of these on the market. We were continually reminded of the importance of cleanliness and washing our hands. But, then we were asked to use these filthy toilets. Sort of a contradiction.
*Ted-less story telling, more factual information I read the books suggested beforhand and expected that he would elaborate upon that information.
— Review left August 25, 2023
A well planned program. Leaders made extra effort to accommodate everyone and adapt to the changing weather and water conditions throughout the program.
— Review left August 15, 2023
Our lower Salmon River raft trip was nigh on to a religious experience. Water, nature, flow, wildlife, stars. I'm still floating
— Review left August 14, 2023
I had a very enjoyable time and highly recommend to others.
— Review left August 12, 2023