Helpful Information

Non-Commercial Permit Information


Non-commercial permits allow people who own their own equipment to boat the Middle Fork on their own. Individuals looking to do a private trip must obtain a permit from the Forest Service. Non-commercial permits are allocated annually through a computerized lottery system, which accepts applications from December 1 through January 31 each year. To look for any available permits, or to apply to the lottery, visit www.recreation.gov and search for the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. For information about permit requirements contact:

Middle Fork Ranger District
311 N US 93 Highway
HC 63 Box 1669
Challis, ID 83226
email: middlefork@fs.fed.us
(208) 879-4101
8:00 am – 4:30 pm – Information

Sources of Local Information and Equipment

Below is a partial list of suppliers and services you will find helpful in planning a private Middle Fork trip. If you have a service or business that caters to the needs of private boaters, let us know and we’ll try to include you when we update this list.

Stanley-Sawtooth Ch. of Commerce
Box 8
Stanley, Idaho 83278
1-800-878-7950

Local accommodations, restaurants, community information.

Current Stanley weather.

Middle Fork flow information.

Merchandise, Books, Maps, Fly Fishing Gear

River 1
Highway 75
Stanley, ID. 83279
(208) 774-2270

River gear, coffee, and quality apparel.

Riverwear
P.O. Box 148
Stanley, ID 83278
1-208-774-3592

Clothing, maps, books, wetsuit rentals, paddle boat and oar boat rental. Located next to the Mountain Village Lodge.

Stanley Fly Shop
40 Ace of Diamonds Street
Stanley, ID 83278
1-208-774-3377

Fly fishing gear, fishing licenses, current fishing information. An authorized Orvis dealer.

Air and Ground Shuttles

River Shuttles
512 Guleke Street
Salmon, ID 83467
1-800-831-8942

Private vehicle shuttles to Cache Bar and Salmon. Van transportation.

Caldwell Transportation
P.O. Box 366
Stanley, ID 83278
1-208-774-2265 or 1-800-727-9925

Private vehicle shuttles to Cache Bar and Salmon as well as bus shuttles from Stanley to put-in and from take-out.

Gem Air
29 Hamner Dr.
Salmon, ID 83467
1-800-448-3413

Air shuttles to Stanley, Salmon, McCall. Backcountry passenger and gear flights.

Sawtooth Flying Service
1-800-798-6105 or 208-630-3646

Flights throughout Idaho’s Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.

Scott Patrick
Boise, ID 83705
(208) 383-3323

Private flights in or out of the Middle Fork canyon.

Vehicle shuttles from Boise, Stanley, Salmon, McCall, Sun Valley, Twin Falls, and points between.

Middle Fork Aviation
P.O. Box 656
Challis, ID 83226
1-888-283-7258

Backcountry aviation services out of Challis, Idaho.

Equipment Suppliers

NRS
2009 S. Main St.
Moscow, ID 83843
1-877-677-4327

NRS rafts and kayaking gear. A complete line of river equipment including lifevests, wetsuits, commissary, and camping items.

Cascade Outfitters
604 E. 45th Street
Boise, Idaho 83714
1-800-223-RAFT

Maravia and Aire rafts, inflatable kayaks and river equipment including camping and kitchen gear.

AIRE
2021 E. Wilson Lane
Meridian, ID 83642
800-247-3432

Offering a wide selection of rafts, catarafts, inflatable kayaks and accessories for your next wilderness adventure.

Raft and Kayak Rentals

White Otter Raft Rental
Ketchum, Idaho 83340
1-208-726-4331

Raft rentals for the Middle Fork, Main Salmon, and Selway.

Blackadar Boating
Salmon, ID 83467
1-208-756-3958

Raft rentals, vehicle shuttles.

Lodging

Stanley, Idaho hotel.

Stanley, Idaho hotel.

Salmon, Idaho hotel.

Salmon, Idaho hotel.

County Sheriff Phone Numbers

Salmon River Emergency Clinic
1 Niece Street
Stanley, ID 83278
1-208-774-3565

Emergency clinic in Stanley.

St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Ctr.
100 Hospital Drive
Ketchum, ID 83340
1-208-727-8800

Emergency clinic in Stanley. A Medical facility in Sun Valley / Ketchum.

Steele Memorial Hospital
203 Daisy Street
Salmon, ID 83467
1-208-756-5600

A medical facility in Salmon.

Private Boater Organizations and Blogs

Idaho’s largest private organization.

More private boating information.

Oregon’s private boater organization.

Private boating in Oregon and Idaho.

River Conservation Groups


River conservation organization

Idaho’s river conservation organization