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