rafting in the McCall area

My wife and I will be staying in McCall for a few days. We would like to take a rafting trip, up to two days/one night. Our choices are the Salmon (main or lower) and the Snake River/Hells Canyon. We would love some thoughts about these choices and especially reputable river rafting companies.

rafting in the McCall area

Both are far from McCall, a close trip would be to do the Payette which is a day trip but amazing water. Try Cascade rafting company for a start, they can point you in the right direction. If you really want to do the Salmon call Middle Fork Rapid Transit, they are a very reputable family owned and run company and have been doing the Salmon out of Stanley for about 20 years. Both are available on the Web as well. The water is unpredictable, I have seen huge water in August and low water in June, it all depends on the snowpack. If you go in the spring or early summer plan on dry suits, if you go in mid summer wet suits unless it is very warm or late summer, the company will advise you and supply you.

Above all have a lot of fun, this is water and country like you have never seen anywhere else.

rafting in the McCall area

You are coming to the mecca of whitewater. There are plenty of rivers and companies to choose from. Hells Canyon Raft www.hellscanyonraft.com offers 3-6 day Snake trips, they have been on the river for over 35 years and run a fantastic trip. They also run the Lower Salmon, the shortest trip being 4-days. Both trips are excellent.

I have not floated the Payette, but hear it is beautiful, especially the Cabarton section.

The short trips on the Salmon tend to float next to the highway, so its best to get on the longer trips. You will float in more desolate areas.

I will also mention that the day trips are fun, but hold no comparison to overnight trips. There is a wonderful element of camping with the overnight river trips. As well as, overnight trips allow you to get in more desolate areas of the country.