With most private trips on a gem such as Idaho’s Main Salmon River, your trip starts with an invite from a friend. After three years of this family rafting adventure group getting out, our summer was complete with a July 25 launch on the permitted section of the Main. My old roommate Ian landed the permit, and the plan came together: seven families, all with kids, destined for an adventure in the wilderness.
As I approached the campground at the Corn Creek put-in, the temperature dial in my van inched to 105 degrees F. “Can that be right?” I asked. We found a campsite to relax in until the sun went down behind the mountains, and that’s when the rigging rafts began. As the kids frolicked with squirt guns in the background we laid out the gear needed to comfortably enjoy six days on the water in the Idaho heat.
After watching some clips of the big four rapids at low water before the drive out from Seattle, I decided not to stress out too much and just heed the instructions of the guidebook while floating. Being a competent kayaker is one thing but making a raft that weighs thousands of pounds go where you want it to is another. Luckily, our warmups of the Grand Ronde River in 2024 and the San Juan River in 2025 had me primed.
Our first day was 17 miles to camp, of mainly Class I-II. But with up to 30 mph gusts, there were a few sections where it was tough to make downriver progress . We all took our lumps, and those with a Bimini Shade or umbrella collapsed their shades, so they could be more streamlined.
Our families were thriving — even though every kid had moments and broke down crying after missing established bedtimes by hours. But the children also ran in packs, creating games each night and having an absolute ball. Each child retired and slept so hard most nights, enough that they then needed to be roused for breakfast as we broke down camp each morning.
We ended up getting two guidebooks, one loaned to me by friend. Ours might’ve been the alarmist’s version of the two, but it gave solid information on camps and rapids, making our informed decisions easier —like for choosing larger camps with sandy beaches for Bocce, Kubb, and general kid fun. Each camp provided something unique, and the variety was nice; some have creek beds to explore with clear clean water , and others shade or fishing spots.
When we arrived at some of the larger Class III-IV rapids, my family donned helmets. With an 8-year-old and my wife on board, my precious cargo was delivered safely downstream. At this low water, it went well, but each moment I tried to stay focused on the big holes, as well as smaller features that could sneak up on a big raft.
By the time we reached Vinegar Rapid, our team had served each day with their respective duties. The collaboration of specialized labor for each day made trip run smoothly, be it kitchen setup, cocktails, appertizers, dinner, dessert, breakfast, and groover duty.
We all styled Vinegar, with one final Class II to go. Ian was lax on the oars and ended up right and had to row a nasty pourover right above the takeout on the right. Luckily, he pulled hard into the hydraulic and out of the backwash, making it look good even though he could have missed the takeout.
Bottom line? While our team suffered some scares — including a rattlersnake in Camp, and five kids getting stung by bees — we had the time of our lives. While the rigging and camp set up can seem like work, all the smiles and fun far overshadows the tough times. And the kids? Well, they’re a pack of wild animals. But I wouldn’t have my summers any other way.
Gear I Used That Made My Life Easier
I needed some expert advice on the exact raft that fit my needs, so I called up Cascade River Gear for the full setup. https://cascaderivergear.com/
Maravia 15 foot Zephyr Raft
This boat is amazing, I love the way it handles whitewater and carries a load. I need to buy the thwarts and start paddle guiding it on the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers, too. But it rows like a dream and slides over rocks with ease. I also love the texture on the top of the tubes for rafttop walking. The shape of the tapered tubes and design is exactly what I was looking for in a 15-footer for multiday family use around the West. I purchased it from Cascade River Gear and they helped me outfit it with a frame, dry boxes and bow line, stern line and chicken line too! Great expert advice! $8,499; https://maravia.com/product/maravia-zephyr-self-bailing-raft/
Recretec Frame and Dryboxes
The luxurious frame holds two dryboxes and a massive Yeti Cooler perfectly for my Maravia 15-foot boat. I love the walking zones and hard floor for rowing with foot braces. My buddy Taylor Robertson from Werner said I had to invest in a top-notch frame when I got my setup, and he was right. Custom pricing and setups can be viewed at https://www.recretec.com/ .
Sawyer MSX Oar Shafts
This oar shaft is built for durability and giving some flex on whitewater, and so far it has done great work for our family raft. I love the grip on the handle; it is tacky to the touch and can be held firm when in splashy water.($245 Per Shaft)
https://sawyerstation.com/ALL-OARS/SAWYER-COMPOSITE-OARS/mxs-oar-shaft-w-wrap-stop
DyneLite Oar Blade Wide
I chose these wider blades to make moves with a serious load in my raft. They are consistent with each pull and do exactly what they were designed to. There has been some scratching on the poly finish, but just cosmetic after two years of use. A solid choice at $195 per blade.
https://sawyerstation.com/ALL-OARS/SAWYER-OAR-BLADES/dynelite-oar-blade
Montana Raft Frames 14’ Trailer with Locking Oar Box
There is no luxury as great as never deflating or rolling your raft. Pulling up to the put-in or takeout with a trailer with a roller bar on the end and a winch on the front is just pure joy. I’ve owned a variety of trailers and the construction and longevity of the Montana Raft Frames build is top-notch. The 14’ trailer comes standard with the 14” tire/wheel combo and a 14’ deck that is 94” wide and weighs approximately 700 lbs. It is 17’10” long overall by 98” wide overall. $5,000 (with winch, full-sized tire and oar box underneath). https://www.montanaraftframes.com/trailers
Rapid Rung Ladder (4 Rung)
Getting back into the raft can be a bear with all your bimini lines, oars, and more along your raft, especially with kids in tow. The Rapid Rung made a quick swim no big deal instead of an ordeal. We loved this year’s addition to the raft. Be wary, though, as it didn’t deploy when hung on by the smaller kids. My 70-lb. kid wasn’t able to pull this down. But any adult used it with ease and it deployed perfectly each time we wanted to get back up into the raft easily. https://www.rapidrung.com, $184
Down River Equipment (DRE) Cargo Floor
Keeping the gear off the inflated floor saves your floor from wear. It’s also a big help during any type of snag or pin, and makes it easier to rig. $65, www.downriverequip.com
Down River Equipment (DRE) Raft King Sling
Having a large cover for your gear pile helps you shape the pile of gear, helps secure your load, and makes it quicker and easier to rig (a Godsend when your kids are running around). If you fiip, you never want to have a yardsale, and this prevents that. It saves tons of time instead of making a spiderweb of knots and cam straps. Get one. $107, www.downriverequip.com
Bimini
The one I got from Amazon was super cheap and pretty effective, and mounted pretty easily on the raft. Mine folded forward which was weird, but with a gear mound on the stern that worked in high winds. If I was freaked about the bigger rapids I would collapse it in case of a flip. Fancier versions (we found some for $800), might be more durable, rbut we decided to go cheap and it worked out great. Order Here, $170
Better yet, read a review of 4 Corners’ Coyote Bimini here!
Tom Grant Oar Rights
Some people like them, some don’t. I do. As a kayaker turned rafter, I prefer to have a locked-in position on my oars. There’s just less to think about and possible go wrong. I might remove them for the Grand, where feathering might be better on the flats and in the wind, but for these shorter runs I like them. $28 (each),
https://paddlesandoars.com/ACCESSORIES/OAR-RIGHTS-STOPS/oar-right
Sawyer Oar Leashes
Oar leashes are nice insurance. Oars cost a lot and can pop out of your oar clip with a shallow rock knock. These make it a quick problem to fix. $28 (set),
https://sawyerstation.com/ACCESSORIES/Gear-Stickers/Sawyer-Oar-Tethers
Photos by Salka Barrett, Katie Shelby, Alyson Hinds, and Nick Hinds