Rafting Hells Canyon Rapids with America’s Rafting Company
Cambridge, Idaho has the distinction of being known as the gateway to Hells Canyon. That said, if you have never experienced the exhilaration of floating the rapids, enjoying the beautiful scenery and wildlife in the canyon, put that on your list to do immediately. It is one of the most exciting things I have done. I have floated the Payette, the Salmon, the Boise, and the Snake rivers, all with varying degree of intensity and I loved every minute of it. You will too and want to return for more.
This week’s story is about America’s Rafting Company, a local business located in Cambridge at 85 South Superior Street. It’s owned and operated by a friendly couple who have a passion for nature and love sharing Hell’s Canyon with people of all ages, from all backgrounds. Lauren and Jarrett von-Jess bought the business seven years ago and specialize in overnight camping trips in the canyon of 3 nights and 4 days or 34 miles upriver . They also do trips on the lower Salmon as well. They will customize trips to fit the wants or needs of the group and they have people flying in to Boise from all over the US and beyond and making the two hour drive to Cambridge for the experience of a lifetime.
These trips are packed full of the history of the canyon including tours of the famous Kirkwood Ranch, hiking, fishing, great food and tons of fun. Everything is provided from tents, sleeping bags, food and gear. All you have to do is bring your clothes and personal items. Each person is given a large dry bag containing a sleeping bag and pillow. A smaller dry bag that stays in the boat with you for personal items such as a change of clothes, sunscreen, ect.
Lauren is the cook and she describes mouth watering pasta salads, Dutch oven desserts and homemade bread. She makes everything from scratch and both she and Jarrett go the extra mile to make sure rafters have the best experience possible on the river. Jarrett says, “Everyone gets a vacation. Dad gets to fish, Mom doesn’t have to cook and the kids get to fish and play in the water.” These trips run from June through September/October depending on the weather and river flows. In October they organize fishing and hunting trips they call Cast and Blast.
The wildlife in Hells Canyon is amazing. You might see bears, bighorn sheep, deer and elk. There are plenty of osprey and eagles and even an occasional group of river otters. If fishing is your thing, you can catch small mouth bass and rainbow trout among other things and if you’re really adventurous there are trips that incorporate sturgeon fishing.
America’s Rafting Company has 16 and 18 foot rafts as well as a 22 foot gear boat and very experienced guides. They put in at Hell’s Canyon Dam and shuttle back from Pittsburg Landing near White Bird. Once a group of lost hikers ventured into camp and figured they had missed their trail by 8 miles. The crew invited them to share dinner and they then floated out with them. During the winter, America’s Rafting Company is offering one day snowmobile trips on the western side of the Payette National Forest.
How do you get more information or to sign up for one of these amazing adventures? Contact America’s Rafting Company at (208) 347-3862 for raft trips and (208) 480-1224 for snowmobiling. You can send them an email at arc@hellscanyon.com or go to their website at idahooutdoortours.com
Hope you enjoy whitewater rafting as much as I do.
