We have two base California Salmon trip options – a 3-days and 3-night trip or a 4-day and 4-night trip that allows for even more time to explore the Salmon River canyon. Trips begin in the early afternoon f the trip’s start date in Ashland, OR (or the early evening for those doing the driving option). Example: on a Friday start date we meet Friday early afternoon in Ashland for the shuttle to camp and then raft Saturday through Sunday or Monday) and end in the afternoon of the last day. The combination of our unique ‘glamping’ style camp, remote and spectacular scenery, and one of the best whitewater rivers in the world makes for an active, comfortable, and one-of-a-kind trip.
Please Note:
- Our river trips take place in the wonderfully unpredictable natural environment. Because of this our itineraries are always flexible to accommodate water levels, weather, and our guest’s needs and interests.
- We also do many custom itineraries – including more relaxed whitewater options and Lodge Based trips. If you are on a custom trip it may be different from the one below.
The 3-day/3-night itinerary follows
For the 4-day/4-night Itinerary Click here >>
3-Day/3-Night Itinerary
Day 1 (early afternoon/evening only):
We will pick you up in the early afternoon in Ashland for the shuttle to the river. The drive is about 3 hours and ends at our comfortable riverside ‘pop-up’ base camp set deep in the Salmon River canyon. Your walk-in tent with cots will be set up among the trees, there is a tented eating and hang-out area, hot showers, a wood-fired sauna, and there will be a big campfire burning. Happy hour and dinner will be served and you will have a chance to meet your guides and fellow paddlers.
Note: For those doing the driving option you will meet at our base camp in the early evening.
Day 2:
The first day of rafting starts with a big, relaxed breakfast served under the enormous trees of coastal California. After food and plenty of time for that second (or third) cup of coffee or tea, we all gather together for some paddling instruction. Afterwards, we’re ready to tackle the lower section of river, which is filled with big, fun class III, IV, and IV+ rapids, cascading waterfalls, and emerald-green side streams. The day will end back out our base camp with a big dinner, the sauna, a campfire, plenty of time to relax, and anticipation for the next day.
Day 3:
The second day of rafting is a big day: get ready for some of the most incredible whitewater anywhere on the class-V Nordheimer section. For many guides this stretch’s combination of big-water rapids and beauty is unmatched. After catching your breath and congratulating yourself and your fellow paddlers on an amazing day we get ready for dinner and another night in the canyon.
Day 4:
For the third day on the water get ready for one of two rarely run stretches – Rafting the technical class V whitewater of the Scott River or kayaking in stunningly beautiful Clear Creek. The Scott River is a sister to the California Salmon and shares many of its attributes. It is an incredible and seldom run river with technical and continuous class IV and V rapids. A true high adventure trip set in a beautiful canyon with tons of wildlife. Clear Creek is like no other stretch of river in the country – it is very narrow with high canyon walls and the water is as clear and clean as its name implies. It is truly a place you have to see to believe. We will choose the stretch with the most ideal water level.
4-Day/4-Night Itinerary
For those who have the time, the 4-day / 4-night itinerary allows people to completely settle and get a huge taste of what this remote whitewater playground has to offer.
Day 1 (evening only):
We will pick you up in the early afternoon in Ashland for the shuttle to the river. The drive is about 3 hours and ends at our comfortable riverside ‘pop-up’ base camp set deep in the Salmon River canyon. Your walk-in tent with cots will be set up among the trees, there is a tented eating and hang-out area, hot showers, a wood-fired sauna, and there will be a big campfire burning. Happy hour and dinner will be served and you will have a chance to meet your guides and fellow paddlers.
Note: For those doing the driving option you will meet at our base camp in the early evening.
Day 2:
The first day of rafting starts with a big, relaxed breakfast served under the enormous trees of coastal California. After food and plenty of time for that second (or third) cup of coffee or tea, we all gather together for some paddling instruction. Afterwards, we head for the rarely run Upper North Fork of the Salmon or the South Fork of the Salmon. Both stretches are very off the beaten path and have solid class III/IV whitewater. The day will end back out our base camp with a big dinner, the sauna, a campfire, plenty of time to relax, and anticipation for the next day.
Day 3:
On the secod day on the river we tackle the famous lower section of Salmon known as the ‘Butler Stretch’. It is is filled with big, fun class III, IV, and IV+ rapids, cascading waterfalls, and emerald-green side streams. It has some of the most continuous whitewater and it might be the most beautiful stretch of river (which says a lot in this place).
Day 4:
The third day of rafting is a big day: get ready for some of the most incredible whitewater anywhere on the class-V Nordheimer section. For many guides this stretch’s combination of big-water rapids and beauty is unmatched. After catching your breath and congratulating yourself and your fellow paddlers on an amazing day we get ready for dinner and another night in the canyon.
Day 5:
For the fourth day on the water get ready for one of two rarely run stretches – Rafting the technical class V whitewater of the Scott River or kayaking in stunningly beautiful Clear Creek. The Scott River is a sister to the California Salmon and shares many of its attributes. It is an incredible and seldom run river with technical and continuous class IV and V rapids. A true high adventure trip set in a beautiful canyon with tons of wildlife. Clear Creek is like no other stretch of river in the country – it is very narrow with high canyon walls and the water is as clear and clean as its name implies. It is truly a place you have to see to believe. We will choose the stretch with the most ideal water level.