Below is a handy checklist you can use for Idaho whitewater rafting trips on either the Main Stem or the Middle Fork of the Salmon River! Decades of river running experience has MFRE compile a fail-proof packing checklist for you!
Weather
Idaho weather can be variable and vigorous. So come prepared with warm and cold weather clothing. There is no such thing as bad weather if you bring the right clothing. Synthetics are best for layering and keeping you warm in all weather conditions. The temperatures during the daytime range from 70-90F and in the evenings from 40-60F. The easiest way to think of river trip clothing is having both daytime “river” clothes which are synthetic and dry camp clothes which are cotton and more comfortable. The daytime clothes will be wet and your camp clothes will be dry. Have a backup set for both and you will be very well prepared. Below is our recommended clothing and equipment list. If you bring what’s on our Idaho whitewater rafting checklist you will be all set for the trip. If it rains at camp we set up large tarps so everyone stays dry and if it’s chilly we’ll have a roaring fire to keep warm. During the day, the oar rafts have large umbrellas that can be used in addition to your splash gear.
MFRE Supplies
- Large rectangular freshly washed sleeping bag (rated 20F)
- 2” thick “Paco” sleeping pad
- Pillow (this is a camp pillow- 10” x 12”, so if you want a full-sized pillow please bring it).
- Splash gear (jacket and pants) for daytime- For Middle Fork only
- 3 Dry Bags (1 for sleep kit, 1 for evening gear, 1 small for daytime gear)
- Kelty Gunnison 4.1 tents (4 person tents for 1-2 people)
- Farmer John wetsuit (when needed in June and early July)
- Waterproof socks and neoprene gloves (for June and early July trips only or if cold-sensitive)
- Life Jacket
- Helmets (for inflatable kayaks, paddle raft and stand up paddle board only)
- All water craft and commissary equipment, including camp chairs
- MFRE coffee mug– a gift for you to take home
Clothing List – You Bring
- Sarong or quick dry towel (good for sun, drying off, or changing clothes)
- Water bottle with carabiner
- Personal toiletry items
- Biodegradable soap (no bathing within 100 feet of any water source is allowed)
- Sunscreen lotion and Chapstick
- Sunglasses with retainer
- Sun hat (baseball hat ok, but larger full brim with chin strap is better)
- Bathing suit
- Socks – 4 pair (2 cotton for camp, 2 synthetic for hiking)
- T-shirts – 3 (two cotton for evenings and one synthetic for daytime)
- Long sleeved shirts – 2 (one cotton for evenings and one synthetic SPF sun shirt for daytime)
- Long pants – 1 (jeans for evening)
- Shorts – 2 (one cotton for evenings and one synthetic for daytime)
- Underwear – assorted (cotton for evening and silk/synthetic for daytime)
- Rain jacket (we provide splash gear tops and bottoms on Middle Fork only for daytime but nice to have a dry rain jacket at camp)
- Medium weight fleece or sweater
- Shoes – dry shoes for camp (lightweight hiking boots or tennis shoes)
- Shoes – river shoes (Tekstra or Keens with toe coverage is best but Teva’s will work too)
- Camera and spare battery
- Headlamp (better than flashlight for getting into dry bags at night!)
Optional
- Ziploc bags – handy for small items or to isolate wet articles from rest of gear
- Olay face wipes or other brand for cleaning face
- Fishing fly rod in sturdy hard case
- Fishing license (only if you are fishing)
- Shoes- flip flop sandals (for drying out feet at camp)
- Full sized pillow
** May/June & Sept/Oct trips- bring a ski hat, camp gloves, 1 pair of synthetic long john top and bottoms, and fleece type pants.
Proper Clothing is essential. If you follow the MFRE clothing list you will be well prepared. There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. We have put together the Clothing List based on many decades of running these trips, so please follow the clothing list. Try GEAR.COM to find the River Essentials you need!