Everybody loves a sweet Valentine’s Day gift from their partner—a romantic dinner date for two at your favorite restaurant, a luxurious stay at a hotel nearby, or a bouquet of roses and a heart-shaped box of chocolates—but have you ever considered gifting your partner an unforgettable experience, rather than the traditional material items we typically see sold in the stores? We think that one of the best gifts you can give to the person you love is a unique experience they’ll treasure forever; memories to last a lifetime. That’s why we’ve put together this Valentine’s Day gift guide for outdoorsy couples, full of exciting experiences out in nature rather than items you might use once or twice, then store away in the attic for the next 10 years. From UTV tours to helicopter rides, each and every one of these outdoorsy Valentine’s Day gift ideas will help you create lifelong memories together (and maybe even spark a new yearly tradition)!

10 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Outdoor Lovers

1. Fishing trip

Our number one favorite Valentine’s Day gift idea for outdoorsy couples is a multi-day fishing trip, whether it be a trip you take together, or a trip you gift to your partner for them to take with a few of their best friends. Chartered fishing trips are an incredible way to get out on the water and enjoy a private fishing experience with everything taken care of for you; no need to worry about bringing your own fishing gear, being familiar with the area, or taking your own boat out on the river. These trips are a great chance to take a break from the stresses of day-to-day life, escape the constant noise of the world, and retreat into nature for a tranquil getaway.

We offer two different Salmon River fishing trips here at Whitewater Expeditions: a 1-day fishing trip and a 3-day fishing trip. Our 1-day trip is perfect for groups between 5-10 people, maybe the two of you and a small group of your closest friends who you want to have this unique experience with. For folks who want a more extensive fishing experience, our 3-day trip offers an incredible opportunity to explore the breathtaking Frank Church Wilderness, where you’ll spend a full 3 days fishing and 2 nights at a local backcountry ranch. This trip is great for groups of up to 6 people, but it could easily be a trip planned exclusively for the two of you if you’d like more privacy. Meals and lodging are provided for 2 nights, and the experiences you’ll share together while fishing on a private jet boat along the Salmon are ones you’ll never forget.

We’ve got an entire guide to How to Prepare for a Fishing Trip on the Salmon River, which your partner can use to get ready for their once-in-a-lifetime fishing trip and ensure they know what to expect, what to pack, & how to get their fishing license. If you’d like to learn more about steelhead fishing specifically, check out our Full Guide to Steelhead Fishing on the Salmon River.

2. Overnight jet boat tour

How fun would it be to gift your outdoorsy partner an overnight jet boat tour on one of the most historic and scenic rivers in the country? Day trips along the Salmon River are great for a classic summertime Idaho adventure if you only have a few hours to explore, but our overnight jet boat tours provide an incredible chance to explore miles and miles of the river alongside your partner, and maybe even a few family members or friends who you invite along for the ride. 

Beginning at Vinegar Creek, you’ll get the opportunity to see nearly 80 miles of river in one day, which can be filled with any kinds of outdoor adventures you’re craving—maybe a relaxing stop at the iconic Barth Hot Springs, a walk around Buckskin Bill’s Museum, or some quality beach time enjoying the sunshine and picturesque scenery together. In its entirety, this trip covers around 180 miles of river, so it’s an exciting way to experience a huge chunk of the Frank Church Wilderness in a fairly short timespan. You’ll get to stay the night at Salmon River Lodge, a gorgeous lodge that sits on the edge of the Wild & Scenic portion of the river, where you’ll enjoy delicious home-cooked meals, stay in a cozy cabin, and take in the scenery around you. 

Learn more about our overnight jet boat tours here to find out if they’re the right gift for your outdoorsy valentine!

3. Summer family fun trip

If the two of you have kiddos and are looking to give the entire family an unforgettable, nature-focused adventure, consider gifting your partner a summer family fun trip that you can all experience together. We know how difficult it can be to get everyone on the same page to choose a destination for your next family trip, so why not make it easier on everyone and book an all-inclusive trip as your Valentine’s Day gift?

Summer family fun trips are the perfect way to create memories that your kids will look back on forever, always remembering the fun times you had together out on the water going fishing, paddleboarding, swimming, exploring the wild and rugged Idaho landscapes. . . these are precious moments that are such a gift to be able to experience together. Simply pack up a cooler for the day and we’ll take you on a memorable family adventure through the Frank Church Wilderness (just like we do with our own kids), completely custom-tailored to your family. It’s a private trip, so it’s up to you to pick out the activities you’d like to spend your time doing! Great for all ages, a summer family fun trip is an unbeatable opportunity to disconnect from your phones and reconnect with the people you love, all while exploring a stunning place.

4. White water rafting trip

Did you know that Riggins is nicknamed the “whitewater capital of Idaho?” We’ve got some phenomenal white water rafting opportunities along our section of the Salmon here in Riggins, and for all ages—making a rafting trip a great gift idea for your adventure-seeking valentine. Whether you’d prefer to take an exciting day trip down the river with time to swim, relax on the beach, and dive deep into the history of the Salmon, or a multi-day rafting trip sounds more like your jam, we can’t recommend this enough, as rafting is an unparalleled way to experience the scenic wilderness of this area. There are a ton of tour companies who offer premier trips of all kinds, so it’s up to you to find the type of adventure that best fits your rafting experience, the level of thrill you’re looking for, and the amount of people you’d like to take with you.

Here are a few local tour companies we’d recommend booking your trip with:

5. UTV tour

If your partner prefers to stay on land, consider taking them on a guided UTV tour through the scenic Idaho backcountry. With the Hells Canyon Wilderness so close by, you’ve got to take advantage of the rugged alpine landscapes and everything they have to offer, whether that’s through a hike along one of the most popular routes in the Seven Devils Mountains or an action-packed UTV ride that takes you through the trails, past breathtaking alpine lakes, and up to scenic viewpoints. These tours are perfect for the outdoorsy person who craves an exhilarating adventure, but would prefer not to hike miles and miles to get it—all you’ve gotta do is sit back and enjoy the wild ride. Sawtooth Traxx provides incredible UTV/ATV experiences in the Stanley area, and CM Backcountry Rentals & Adventures offers a variety of tour options in and around McCall. For rides closer to Coeur d’Alene or Priest Lake, check out Adventure Sport Rentals and their wide variety of vehicle options, including snowmobiles, e-bikes, and UTVs.

6. Helicopter tour

What better way to admire the rugged landscapes of Idaho’s backcountry than with a bird’s-eye view from above? If you’ve already spent some time exploring by foot, by boat, or by UTV, gain a completely new perspective by booking a helicopter tour that looks down on the mountains, soars over alpine lakes, and gives you once-in-a-lifetime views of Idaho’s deep river canyons. McCall Helicopter Adventures is our favorite company to recommend to those interested in seeing the Sawtooth Peaks, Payette Lake, Granite Lookout, and more of the most picturesque destinations in the McCall area. There’s truly nothing that compares to traversing the diverse array of landscapes that this area of Idaho has to offer than from up in the sky, whether you take a quick 20 minute ride or an unforgettable hour-long journey over the Payette National Forest.

7. Backpacking/camping trip

What outdoor enthusiast doesn’t love a good hike through some of the most spectacular alpine landscapes in the country? Take advantage of Idaho’s Seven Devils Mountains by gifting your partner with a pre-planned backpacking trip to explore the vast wilderness the area has to offer, whether you’re experienced backpackers and would thrive on a multi-day, challenging trek or a shorter hike with a cozy stay at a campsite. Windy Saddle is the main access point into Hells Canyon from Idaho and is the start of a trail system that features plenty of routes for all levels of hikers. Maybe you opt for a short hike to Heaven’s Gate Lookout before spending the night at Seven Devils Campground, where you sleep under the starry Idaho night skies and enjoy a romantic dinner over a campfire, or maybe you train for a 50-mile hike through all of the epic landscapes that Hells Canyon has to offer, like this. Whatever a hiking, backpacking, or camping trip looks like for the two of you, enjoy it to the fullest and use it as a chance to reconnect and be present together in a beautiful place.

8. Romantic hot springs date

If you’d prefer to relax and rejuvenate out in nature, rather than taking an action-packed adventure through the mountains or high up in the sky, check out a hot spring where you can soak in a warm, alpine pool as you enjoy gorgeous views all around you. While you can’t sip on glasses of champagne while you soak due to hot springs etiquette, you could plan a fun date where you enjoy the hot spring for a bit, and then head to another location nearby for a riverside picnic to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Barth Hot Springs is one of our favorites to recommend, located on a hill above the Salmon River at mile 22. This hot springs can be reached via a jet boat (this is a trip we offer) or it can be rafted to as part of a 5-6 day rafting trip. The mineral-rich waters are known for being an ideal place to get in some R&R, and what a beautiful thing it would be to share that experience with your partner; an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of your daily lives and come back to focusing on your relationship. The Middle Fork of the Salmon River offers a few other hot springs as well that you can find here, ranging from smaller geothermal pools to large soaking tubs nestled on a scenic cliffside.

9. Riverside ranch stay

Elevate the classic Valentine’s Day hotel stay by booking a weekend stay at a ranch along the Salmon River, where you’ll enjoy learning about the fascinating history of the area and get the chance to stay in a rustic cabin, a cozy suite, or even a glamping tent right on the shoreline. Mackay Bar Ranch offers a variety of backcountry accommodations that would be perfect for the two of you, or even for a larger group if you wanted to turn your Valentine’s Day adventure into a memorable group activity with the people you love. This ranch is accessible only by jet boat, raft, airplane, or ATV, making it the ideal destination for a secluded wilderness stay.

10. Mountain biking adventure

Finally, hit the trails together on a mountain biking adventure through the McCall area, which is a prime location for exploring backcountry trails and exploring the forested landscapes. The Payette Rim Loop offers a great, family-friendly route with incredible views of Payette Lake, but there are also longer rides available throughout a trail system just north of McCall such as the Bear Basin Tour. These rides are a fun way to add a little extra thrill into your time on the trails, and the scenery around McCall is just gorgeous!

We hope that this Valentine’s Day gift guide for outdoorsy couples has inspired you to elevate your gift-giving experience this year by giving your partner the experience of a lifetime. If you end up making your way to the Salmon River, we’d love to take you on an incredible adventure tailored just to you, whether that be a scenic tour, a steelhead fishing charter, or a jet boat adventure. Learn more about what we have to offer here!

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