How to Elope on the Salmon River in Idaho
Eloping on the River of No Return: sounds kind of ominous, doesn’t it? Far from it, actually; the River of No Return, also known as the Salmon River, just so happens to be one of the most beautiful destinations in Idaho—making it an absolutely incredible place to elope. I am an Idaho-based elopement photographer who also owns a jet boating business with my husband. Together our businesses provide couples with a one-of-a-kind elopement experience, and today I wanted to give you an in-depth look into what it’s like to elope on the Salmon River in Idaho.
You’ll be guided through some history and background of the Salmon, and then given all of the best locations to visit during your Salmon River elopement for an unforgettable day. I’ve even made sure to include the best lodging in the Riggins area of the Salmon to make sure you have a cozy, relaxing place to stay during your trip. If a laid-back, untraditional, and outdoor-focused day sounds like your perfect elopement experience, then you’re in the right place—bookmark this guide for later if you end up finding it helpful to your planning process!
Where is the Salmon River?
Located in the state of Idaho, the Salmon River begins in the Sawtooth and Lemhi Valleys, flowing for over 400 miles through central Idaho. It’s actually the longest undammed river in the country, as well as the longest river system contained wholly in one US state. A portion of the Salmon River—specifically, the 79-mile section from Corn Creek Campground to Long Tom Bar—has been designated as a Wild and Scenic River by the USDA, meaning it’s more heavily protected and regulated than other parts of the Salmon. This Wild section of the Main Salmon winds through the stunning Frank Church Wilderness, where you’ll find some of the most pristine white sand beaches in the northwest.
Why is it called the “River of No Return”?
The “River of No Return” nickname came about in the 1870’s. The very first boats used along the Salmon (wooden scows) were only able to float with the current—therefore making the trip back up the river impossible. Boats would travel down the river with only the current to push them along to their destination, where they would arrive and then be taken apart and sold as lumber due to their inability to make the journey back.
If you’d like to dive deeper into the fascinating history of the Salmon River, I recommend reading our guide to the Best Historic Stops Along Idaho’s Salmon “River Of No Return”. Throughout this guide, you will also learn more about some of our favorite historic stops along the Salmon that may be great additions to your Salmon River elopement itinerary.
Why Elope on the Salmon River?
With a wide array of opportunities for nature-focused activities and a seemingly never ending collection of scenic viewpoints, the Salmon River is most known for its incredible outdoor adventures—and that’s a huge reason why it makes for such a fantastic elopement location. The canyon that holds the Salmon is the second deepest in the US, deeper than the iconic Grand Canyon! Along the river you’ll find plenty of opportunities to relax, disconnect, and escape from life for a few days. Here’s a list of just some of the best things to do along the Salmon River, all of which would be incredibly fun to do on your elopement day:
- Scenic jet boat tours
- World-class white water rafting
- Steelhead fishing
- River floating
- Hot springs
- Camping
- Scenic drives
- Drift boat fishing
- Helicopter tours
- Hiking
- Biking
- Stargazing
- Horseback riding
If you want to make the most out of your time in the Riggins area, be sure to look through our guide to the 8 Best Things to Do in Riggins, Idaho before making the journey over here.
Best Salmon River Wedding Venues
Along with the fact that the Salmon River is a haven for outdoor lovers, there are also quite a variety of beautiful lodges & ranches that you can rent out for your special day. This is a great option if you’re having any sort of reception after your private elopement/vows, or if you’re having an elopement/intimate wedding with guests. Below are three of my personal favorite Salmon River wedding venues that would be perfect for hosting your heartfelt, romantic celebration.
Salmon Rapids Lodge
Salmon Rapids Lodge is a family-owned lodge in Riggins that offers stunning views of the Salmon, a variety of cozy suites, and a very classically-Idaho experience. You get the best of both worlds when you celebrate at Salmon Rapids Lodge—the rustic, outdoorsy experience of staying in a riverside lodge as well as the comfort of contemporary amenities. The Point at Salmon Rapids Lodge is an ideal spot for a ceremony and/or reception, overlooking the point where the Little Salmon meets the Main Salmon.
RV Landing
The RV Landing at Carlson Ranch can also be rented out for a wedding and offers a collection of private RV sites, off-park RV sites, and three dry cabins. This ranch is located on really beautiful property along the Salmon and offers easy access to all kinds of outdoor activities such as kayaking, rafting, fishing, camping, hiking, ATV/UTV riding, jet boating, wildlife viewing, and more. If you’re looking for an intimate place to stay with a few of your closest friends and family members, Gus Creek Cabin at the RV Landing is an awesome option!
Mackay Bar Guest Ranch
Finally, Mackay Bar Guest Ranch is a fantastic full service wedding venue for weddings with up to 34 guests. Wedding and elopement packages at the ranch include jet boat transportation to the ranch itself, two nights of lodging and meals, activities such as fishing and hiking, lighting, and full catering for three days—it’s an incredible, all-inclusive experience.
How to Elope on the Salmon River
Next, let’s get into the details of how to actually plan an elopement on the Salmon River, including how to pick a season, hire your vendors, book your travel, and more.
1. Choose a time of year
At the beginning of the planning process, you’ll want to figure out what time of year you’d like to elope.
When is the best time of year to elope on the Salmon River?
Spring is really pretty on the river, but you’ll want to avoid eloping in May and June due to the highwater. During these months all the beaches disappear, so it’s not the best time to elope if you want to enjoy the beaches and clean water—I’d recommend picking a date in March or April, instead.
Summer
Summer is a great time to elope on the Salmon if you want the warmest weather, which is great for water activities such as rafting, floating, swimming, kayaking, etc. The river gets hot in July and August, but the beaches are nice this time of year and the water is warm enough for swimming! The river is very busy with rafters and day-users, so be aware of the fact that you may have less privacy during the summer. This time of year in Idaho also has the potential of wildfires, so make sure to monitor conditions ahead of time and make backup plans/routes just in case. Learn more about the best things to do during the summer in Idaho here.
Fall
Fall is my personal favorite time of year on the river; specifically between September and November. The river is much quieter this time of year. The temperatures in September and October are nice, and the fall colors are beautiful as well! Fall is a nice time of year for jet boating too—it’s not too hot, not too cold, and not too busy.
Winter
Winter isn’t a great time to elope on the Salmon if you want to include a jet boat. The river freezes in the winter. This means no jet boats from December through early February. The Salmon River Canyon doesn’t get a lot of snow due to its low elevation (Riggins is just 1800 feet above sea level), so it’s a good place to elope in the winter if your looking for a place with little snow. However, the canyon is cold during the winter because it doesn’t get a lot of direction sun exposure.
2. Hire your Salmon River elopement vendors
When it comes time to hire your vendors, I suggest hiring your photographer first. I personally provide my couples with vendor recommendations for any of the other vendors they might need for their day. Hiring a local photographer who knows their way around, has connections in the area, and can help you plan your elopement will make your planning process so much easier.
As far as other vendors go, there are very few wedding vendors who are local to the Riggins area; most of my couples pick up their wedding items in Boise before traveling to Riggins. I can give you two recommendations right off the bat, though: Abby is a talented local makeup artist and Amy is a private chef from McCall that makes the most delicious food!
3. Make your travel arrangements
Once you’ve decided on a date and have a trusted photographer by your side, it’s time to make your travel arrangements to Riggins. It’s best to fly into Boise, rent a car, and drive to Riggins either via Highway 95 or Highway 55; either way, it’s a little over a 3-hour drive. The closest major town to Riggins is McCall, which is a resort town about an hour away that has a good selection of nicer restaurants and lodging.
Riggins also has a selection of accommodations if you want to stay in a more remote location, including options such as private cabins, rustic lodges, campsites, and more. Below, you’ll find a few of the Riggins accommodations I’d recommend.
Best Lodging in Riggins, Idaho
- Salmon River Dome (owned by me!)
- Gus Creek Cabin at the RV Landing
- Cozy Cabin Getaway
- Casita With Salmon River Views
- The Building on the River
- Elesel Lodge
4. Choose your ceremony location
There are many different ways to celebrate your elopement along the Salmon River, but my favorite is obviously when couples have a jet boat elopement. Booking a jet boat elopement is by far the best way to see the river in all of its beauty, as you’ll have access to quite a lot more area. My husband and I offer two different options for a jet boat elopement over at Whitewater Expeditions: single-day jet boat elopements and multi-day jet boat elopements. Both options give you access to 30 miles of stunning, roadless area to elope in, but the multi-day elopement includes lodging at a backcountry lodge on the river. If you choose to keep it simple and elope without a jet boat, I will help you choose a location along the river that is accessible via a car or a short hike.
Renting a venue (such as the ones mentioned earlier in this guide) is also a great option if you’d like to invite guests to a post-elopement celebration or some sort of intimate evening gathering.
5. Plan your Salmon River activities & excursions
Finally, set aside plenty of time in your itinerary for fun activities and excursions, whether that is on the actual day of your elopement or during the days surrounding it. Take advantage of the awe-inspiring wilderness you’ll have access to by planning exciting things to do out on the water, in the mountains.. You can’t go wrong no matter what you choose to do, but here are some of my favorite activities to include in a Salmon River elopement:
- Explore the river via jet boat, drift boat, raft, or kayak
- Get a birds-eye-view of the Salmon via helicopter
- Go for a hike up the canyon and take photos with the river behind you
- Camp on a white sand beach and set up a campfire at night
- Elope on the river at sunrise, and then spend sunset in the Seven Devil Mountains
Salmon River Elopement Photographer
If you’ve found yourself at the end of this guide, dreaming up your Salmon River elopement, then it’s very likely that we’d be a good match for your special day. I’m Autumn, a Salmon River elopement photographer who specializes in helping couples elope in scenic Idaho, specifically in the beautiful Riggins area I call home. Learn more about Salmon River elopements and jet boat tours on our Whitewater Expeditions website, or contact me via my photography website to inquire about your elopement. I can’t wait to help you get married in this amazing area of Idaho!