rawhide outfitters

I'm actually not exaggerating in the title. My husband and I took the 1 day Salmon River White Water Rafting trip with Rawhide Guides as part of our vacation to Triple Creek Ranch in Darby, Montana. To be fair, we knew nothing about the outfitter. We saw on a list of off-ranch activities white water rafting and decided we wanted to do it. The ranch set everything up and all we did was show up for the best time of our lives. We went the beginning of June, and it had been unseasonably cold our first few days in Montana. So Rawhide contacted the ranch about our sizes for wet suits and when we met our guides they had wet suits in tow and directed us to a public bathroom where we could put them on. They also provided 3 or 4 fleeces per person since the water was quite cold that day. Apparently the snows had just started melting so the river was high and fast, which meant that we actually encountered a class IV rapid. We have never had so much fun. Our guide Steve was incredible. We laughed so hard, we cried. We got to try new things, like riding the bull (where you sit on the front edge of the raft and dangle your feet in the water and hold on for dear life when you shoot through a rapid), we heard great stories about the land, and it was probably the safest outdoor adventure I've ever been on (and I can't even swim!). Seriously, one of the couples on our trip was an older couple in their late 60s, and the gentleman had some mobility difficulties but he got in the raft, hung on, and helped paddle when he could and clearly had the time of his life too. The best part was probably when his wife rode the bull. Our guide Steve, very deliberately positioned us in the boat for optimal safety (based on paddling ability and size), so the older couple was back by him, my husband a 30 year old male in front paddling, me in front kneeling on the floor of the raft to paddle because I am very small, and the other two girls (mid twenties) sitting on the sides paddling. Between rapids, the scenery was stunning. We saw goats, big horn sheep, and elk. But we had a crystal clear blue sky the day we went and it was just breathtaking. We also saw almost no one else out on the river so it feel like you were really out there on your own.Rawhide literally thinks of everything. They bring what felt like a 5 course lunch and snacks for those hunger pains in the boat. The food was all home made and it was absolutely delicious. They have a local man, who is a whole other character in of himself who was so fun to talk to, who takes photos while you go through one of the rapids. Then at the end of the day you pay a visit to him and you can buy the photos. The photos are pretty awesome, and well worth the price (we still have ours on our refrigerator). And perhaps the best part of this trip...the cost! We paid $108 per person which was a steal in my book! I have been white water rafting in other places out west and on the east coast (Maine) and have never paid under $350 a person. They also offer 2 and 3 day rafting trip where you camp on an island in the middle of the river. Apparently they like cook steak dinners (of course) in dutch ovens over the fire. As soon as Steve began talking about this trip my husband was sold. We are moving to Denver from the East Coast and this multi day rafting trip with Rawhide Guides will undoubtedly be our first long weekend adventure! We can't wait!And on a side note, we actually went on this trip almost three years ago (June 2012), but I couldn't find Rawhide on Trip Advisor back then. I thought so highly of this family business that almost three years later I decided to look and see if I could find them on here to write a glowing review, because they deserve it.

Guides were knowledgeable and knew where to catch the big ones. Packed lunch included homemade soup - all so delicious during a cold day on the river.

This family business treats you like royalty! We were transported to/from our lodging. The guide was superior with his skills and knowledge of the river and the area. We were served a snack and then a hot lunch on our adventure! There was a small problem a nd our guide was so apologetic and offered the right solution ! I highly recommend this outfitter!

We took the half day trail ride on the Wagonhammer trail with Rawhide. What a great experience. Justin arrived to pick us up at our lodge right on time. I had not ridden a horse for quite a few years, but my horse, Darby was very well trained and responded to very light touch of the reins. Justin pointed out the historical parts of the Lewis and Clark trek through the trail.The next day, we took a float trip down the Salmon River with Steve as our guide. He took good care of us. Steve is quite a good story teller and had us laughing a lot. A very pleasant trip even though it was cold and rainy, with some hail. He had hot chocolate and coffee to keep us warm and fleece coats if you needed them.This is a family business and not a high tech operation. Cathy takes care of the reservations, with no written confirmation, and she makes great cookies for your snack.

We were looking for a steelhead guide and we are so glad we found Rawhide Outfitters website. Our cell didn't work and we asked them to call us. Cathy called and answered all of our questions. She set us up with Ernie who guided us to good pools. You float the river. We caught 2 steelheads and 3 other fish. The lunch was all homemade. Chili with chips, sandwich of your choice and cookies. We asked for Oatmeal Raisin. After lots of laughs on the river and really good fishing, we learned at the boat ramp that we caught the most fish of the day!Thanks Rawhide for a GOOD Day. Hope to fish again with you. I understand that they have awesome whitewater rafting trips.