Summer Cooler Trip on Idaho's Salmon River

Welcome to a guide detailing one of our favorite Salmon River trips: The Summer Cooler Trip.

There is simply no better way to experience the scenic Frank Church “River of No Return” Wilderness than with a day out on the river, lounging in the warm summer sun as you sip on chilled drinks, sharing laughs with your friends, and admiring the scenery around you. In fact, many of our fondest memories here at Whitewater include times out on the water with our own families and friends; the river is an essential part of our lives, and we love sharing its beauty with both locals and visitors alike.

That’s why we’ve curated a selection of different Salmon River jet boating trips to cater to every type of group, and adventure you may be seeking this summer—one of our favorites being the Summer Cooler Trip. This is the type of trip you and your friends will look back on years down the road, reminisce on at every reunion, and will hopefully turn into a cherished summertime tradition.

Keep reading to learn about how we’ll help you and your loved ones create once-in-a-lifetime memories together on Idaho’s beautiful Salmon River, and why this summer cooler trip is a must-do the next time you’re in our neck of the woods.

What Is A Summer Cooler Trip?

Think of it as the perfect summertime getaway that doesn’t require extensive planning, or too much time off of work: it’s a one-day adventure on the Salmon River with a group of your favorite people. One day where all you have to worry about is what drink you’ll grab next out of your cooler, or whether you want to kick back & relax in the sun from a jet boat or from a beach. Surrounded by your friends, family members, or whoever you choose to bring on your trip, you’ll be whisked away on the River Of No Return with nothing more than scenic landscapes, fun summer activities, and good times with your favorite people on the horizon.

Trip Info

Wondering what your time on the Salmon could look like? Besides sitting back and relaxing on the boat with a cold beer, basking in the summer sunshine, here are some of the activities that could be on the schedule for your summer cooler trip:

Swimming
Bass/trout fishing
Paddleboarding
Beaching
Jet boating big rapids
Sightseeing
Wildlife viewing

Note that if you’d like to fish during your private tour, we do provide trout and bass gear—but you must purchase an Idaho Fishing License to fish on your tour. Interested in steelhead fishing, instead? Read through our Full Guide to Steelhead Fishing on the Salmon River.

Trip Details

Private boat and fully tailored itinerary.
Offered in July and August.
Suitable for adults
Starts at $1,260 + fees for up to 6 people. Additional people are $214 per person.

Searching for a kid-friendly option? You’ll want to book our Summer Family Trip.

Why We Love Summer Cooler Trips in Idaho

This is exactly the kind of trip we’d take with our own family and friends, so we know how special it is to be able to share an experience like this with your own loved ones. Whether you’re planning a memorable trip for you, your spouse, and your adult children who you rarely get to see anymore, or a unique adventure for your group of close friends, it’s an opportunity to step away from your day-to-day tasks and responsibilities and simply be in the moment with the people you love, in a beautiful place, no worries in sight.

6 Reasons to Take a Summer Cooler Trip

1. Experience the beauty of the Frank Church Wilderness

The Frank Church Wilderness is filled with rugged mountain scenery, vast canyons, winding whitewater rivers, alpine lakes, and more stunning landscapes—nearly 2.4 million acres, in fact. Experiencing the River Of No Return wilderness on foot is one thing, but traversing through the region in a jet boat is a completely different experience, one that allows you to get up close and personal with nature.

2. Create lifelong memories with your favorite people

Booking a private jet boat for your group is an awesome way to spend quality time together. When you venture into the remote wilderness without cell service, laptops, or the constant worry of what needs to get done, you’re able to be fully present with the people you love, something that’s becoming increasingly important and difficult to attain these days.

3. Great for bachelor parties

The Summer Cooler Trip is the perfect way to celebrate an upcoming marriage. You can trade the stereotypical wild-night-out bachelor party for a relaxing day or weekend on the river, celebrating with your crew. Find more outdoorsy Idaho bachelor party ideas here.

4. Itineraries are fully tailored to your group

Speaking of spending the day exactly how you want it, your itinerary is fully tailored to your group for the Summer Cooler Trip, meaning everything is completely your call. Want to find some wild rapids to boat? Or maybe you’re craving a more relaxing day with plenty of time to lay on the beach? We’ll create your itinerary precisely to suit your group’s interests and needs, whether that means spending time stopping at historic sites along the river, fishing, or a bit of both.

5. You’ll have the boat to yourselves

With only your group on the boat, you won’t need to worry about anybody disturbing your fun—the day is yours to enjoy privately. A few of our other jet boat tours are pooled group tours, but the Summer Cooler Trip was designed intentionally to be solely for you and your people.

6. Hassle-free equipment & planning

If you’d like to fish during your tour, we provide trout and bass gear for you. In addition to providing certain gear you’ll need (such as life jackets), we’ll plan your itinerary and take care of all the logistics, making sure you and your group know when and where to meet, as well as what to pack.

Here are a few key things to keep in mind as you prepare for your Summer Cooler Trip with us:

There is no cell service between Riggins and Vinegar Creek, so we suggest downloading offline maps before you get out of cell range
Bring proper footwear to traverse the wet river rocks
Dress for lots of sunshine – bring swimming suites, hats, and sunscreen.
Pack enough lunch, snacks, and drinks to keep you fueled throughout the day

For more information on how to prepare for your Salmon River jet boat tour, please read this guide.

How to Plan a Summer Cooler Trip on the Salmon River

Are you getting excited about the idea of booking a Summer Cooler Trip? We certainly hope so, because we’d be thrilled to take you on the adventure of a lifetime through this incredible wilderness that’s become so central to our lives.

To plan your Summer Cooler Trip, you’ll want to first book your tour with us, and then plan the rest of your trip. We recommend staying in Riggins, which is about 1.5 hours away from our departure point at Vinegar Creek. Salmon Rapids Lodge in Riggins is a great option.

If you’d like to make the most of your time in the area, we highly recommend planning a few additional activities in the Riggins area, such as kayaking, camping, hiking in the Seven Devil Mountains, or booking a white water rafting trip through a company such as Wild River Adventures. These are fantastic ways to maximize your trip and really explore as much of the picturesque landscapes as you can, on both land and water.

Ready to get your Salmon River adventure on the books? We cannot wait to host your group and give you an unforgettable summer memory you’ll look back on forever!