Day trips along the Salmon River are always something we’ll recommend if you’re looking for a classic summertime Idaho adventure, but if you want to take it up a notch, why not take an overnight jet boat tour instead? Overnight jet boat tours on the Salmon River are perfect for seeing as much of the Salmon as possible during your time in the area, and for spending quality time exploring beautiful places with the people you love. We can’t wait to share with you our brand new two-day Salmon River jet boat trip, complete with an overnight stay at the scenic Salmon River Lodge.
What is an Overnight Jet Boat Tour on the Salmon River?
While scenic day trips have been our bread and butter up until now, we’ve also been looking for a way to offer multi-day trips to those looking for an extended adventure along the Salmon. One day truly could never be enough to see and experience everything that this breathtaking wilderness has to offer, so we’ve decided to partner up with our friends over at Salmon River Lodge to create an unforgettable overnight trip.
Where does this trip go?
Instead of leaving Vinegar Creek in the morning, seeing 30 miles of the river, and then being back at the boat ramp by 4pm like we do for our regular scenic tours, we’ll leave Vinegar Creek and head all the way to Corn Creek, covering approximately 80 miles of river in one day. After an exciting day out on the water, you’ll stay the night at Salmon River Lodge—a gorgeous, rustic resort located right across from Corn Creek, nestled on the sandy shores where the Wild & Scenic portion of the Salmon begins.
During your relaxing stay at Salmon River Lodge, you’ll enjoy an experience that is both rustic and modern, classic and contemporary, with access to thoughtfully-designed private rooms, modern amenities and Wi-Fi (although we recommend staying as unplugged and present as possible), family style home-cooked meals, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Take advantage of the disc golf course, volleyball, yard games, and fishing to make the most of your one-night stay! The riverfront scenery is really something else, and we couldn’t be happier to provide you with the chance to have a night here before heading back to Vinegar Creek for the latter half of your trip.
Below is a map showing the route you’ll be taking for this overnight jet boat tour on the Salmon River:
Who is this trip for?
This overnight Salmon River jet boat trip is best for couples, or for large groups of friends/family. It is a lot of boating, covering 80 miles each day! Because of this, it’s not the best trip for younger kids. So if you have children you’re looking to plan a trip with, you may want to consider our family fun trip instead: this trip is ideal for families who are looking for an unforgettable day out on the water, spending quality time swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, and beaching together. The trip was designed to be enjoyed by young children and older adults alike, so it’s a much more accommodating trip than our overnight trip that covers nearly 180 miles of river round trip. We’ll be more than happy to help you decide which kind of trip better fits your vision and your group.
When does this trip occur?
While we wish we could offer this trip all summer long, this trip only happens in early May, when the water is low but high enough to boat to Corn Creek—and not too high that it’s in a flood stage. If you know anything about boating or jet backing, then you know how important water levels are to traversing the rapids at different times of year; you need to time it right to ensure your boat is able to access all the places you want to go.
May is not only the perfect time to take this trip due to ideal water levels, but beautiful weather, as well; it’s a gorgeous month on the Salmon. Everything is green, making the natural beauty of the Frank Church Wilderness extra stunning. It’s important to note that the beaches are all under water this time of year, so you won’t be spending your time lounging around on the sandy shores—our scenic day trips or family fun trips during the later summer months may be better for you if that’s what you are envisioning. Keep in mind also that it can be somewhat rainy in May, so you’ll want to dress and pack accordingly.
Top 5 Things to See During Your Salmon River Jet Boat Tour
As this trip covers 80 miles of river, you bet there is plenty to see, do, and experience, from relaxing in peaceful hot springs to learning about the rich history of the Salmon. The first 30 miles of this trip is the section of river where we do our scenic tours, so any of those stops can be made—read more about the best historic stops along the Salmon River here. Below, we’ve included 5 of our favorite stops to make during this overnight tour, but of course it all depends on what kind of experience you’d like to have and what interests you/your group the most.
1. Barth Hot Springs
One of our favorite stops on this trip is Barth Hot Springs, located at river mile 22 above the Salmon. It’s a pretty cool hot spring, and its mineral-rich waters make for the perfect place to rest, recharge, and rejuvenate, enjoying the serenity and natural beauty of the landscapes around you before heading back out on the water. People of all ages can enjoy this hot spring, as long as you make sure to follow hot spring etiquette and Leave No Trace guidelines.
When visiting Barth Hot Springs (or any hot spring, for that matter), be sure to:
- Pack out all trash, and leave it cleaner than you found it
- Avoid bringing glass containers into the hot spring
- Avoid bringing pets into the hot spring
- Be considerate of other visitors and share the space
- Wear shoes for your safety
- Avoid using the hot spring as a bathroom
2. Salmon River Lodge
Like we mentioned earlier, this trip entails an overnight stay at Salmon River Lodge, which will no doubt be one of your favorite parts of the entire tour. With unmatched views of the river, you’ll spend your evening admiring the scenic beauty around you as you roast s’mores over a campfire, unwind in your riverfront suite, and connect & create memories with your loved ones that you’ll want to relive forever. It’s truly the perfect place to call home even if only for one night, and will make you crave more time on the river—maybe you turn this into an annual trip, or come back to the lodge for an extended stay?
3. Polly Bemis Ranch
Polly Bemis is one of the stops available on both our day trips & our overnight trips, located about twelve miles from Vinegar Creek, and across the river from Shepp Ranch. Both ranches played an important role in the rich history of the Salmon, named after two key figures: Charlie Shepp, who homesteaded the ranch before it was developed into an outfitting business, and Polly Bemis, who was sold into slavery as a child in China before being smuggled into the US and brought to work in Idaho. You can see Polly’s original cabin during our stop here, and we’ll also talk about the history of Shepp Ranch while visiting Polly Bemis, as Shepp is a private ranch not open to the public.
4. Mackay Bar
Mackay Bar Ranch is a unique and incredibly scenic destination in the Frank Church Wilderness, accessible only by jet boat, raft, airplane, or ATV road during certain seasons. It provides an absolutely beautiful and pristine wilderness setting featuring a few privately owned homes, as well as Mackay Bar Ranch, and is fascinating to learn about as you boat along the Salmon. The area is closed to the public, so it’s one we’ll talk about from the river, but it’s worth coming back to if you’d like to visit for a future group trip, or even a wedding.
5. Buckskin Bill’s Museum
Last but certainly not least is one of the more quirky stops along the Salmon, Buckskin Bill’s Museum. Located 26 miles above Vinegar Creek and accessible only by raft or jet boat, this museum is an homage to a legend of the Salmon River, Sylvan Hart—also known as “Buckskin Bill”—who homesteaded Five mile Bar from 1932-1980. The museum showcases the preserved area that he called home, as well as collections of items he left behind during his time sharing his knowledge of the backcountry with visitors. It’s a popular stop along the Salmon for visitors interested in getting a glimpse into what life was like for this unique resident of the Frank Church Wilderness.
We hope to see you in the spring for your overnight jet boat tour on the Salmon River, where we’ll provide you with the wilderness experience of a lifetime. Learn more about the trips we offer at Whitewater Expeditions and book your once-in-a-lifetime tour here.
For more Salmon River resources and recommendations, take a look at our latest blog posts below, where we cover everything you need to know about the Riggins area, outdoor rec in Idaho, and steelhead fishing on the river.
