Intrigued by the idea of a river trip that includes the remote and peaceful experience of camping in the wilderness? Many of us are, but sometimes we also worry about missing “the spoils.” You know what I mean by “the spoils”, the comforts that often come with car camping, like a cozy bed and of course delicious food! Skip the dried food that comes with backpacking, during our river trips we make food that is possibly even better than what you prepare for yourself at home. Paired with sleeping outside in magnificent and remote wilderness areas.
Let’s get better acquainted with multi-day rafting trips and one of the many reasons they are so incredible – the food!
Food Tastes Best When Prepared with Love & Care
Our guide team puts a lot of care and pride in preparing all the delicious food for the group each day. These devoted guides, usually get up at 6AM and stay joyfully cooking in the beautiful riverside kitchens until 9PM!
Often, it’s not just the food that lingers in your memory, but rather the feelings associated with it – the company you shared, the setting, and the overall experience of the meal. Obvious examples are Thanksgiving days with friends and family where, similar to a day on the river, you spend the day together with a fantastic meal as the finale. As the saying goes, “it’s about the journey not the destination”, and the same can be said for our memorable meals. Much of what makes the food on these trips so incredible is the care put into each meal. Not to mention the magical river setting where it all takes place.
Each day on the river, we enjoy the dichotomy of quiet moments drifting downstream and the amazing scenery mixed with adrenaline-fueled times navigating rapids. Awaiting at the end of each day are stunning riverside campsite that we get just to ourselves. Our home for the evening offers not just a place to rest but a backdrop of breathtaking beauty. Nestled along the remote and private stretches of the Owyhee and Main Salmon Rivers, the campsites provide a serene atmosphere, allowing you to unwind and connect with nature, play beach games, and enjoy treasured moments with friends old and new. Of course, a beautiful evening isn’t complete without a delicious meal to nourish our bodies after a fun day on the river.
Hors d’oeuvre Hour
Once at camp we get settled and dive into snack hour while enjoying the cooling day as the sun drifts below the canyon walls. Our guides craft amazing appetizers while guests enjoy the magic of a riverside camp with new and old friends.
Let’s tantalize those taste buds with a glimpse of the type of appetizers that await you each evening:
Watermelon with Goat Cheese, Fresh Mint, and Balsamic
Experience a refreshing medley of flavors with watermelon slices topped with creamy goat cheese, fresh mint, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze – a symphony of taste inspired by the river’s surroundings.
Nectarine Caprese Salad
We love this fresh and juicy twist on a classic favorite. Fresh summer nectarines, topped with mozzarella, fresh basil, and drizzled with balsamic. Yum!
Artisan Cheese Plate
Only the best for our guests. We never embark on our river trips without a selection of award-winning artisan cheeses from our friends and neighbors at Cascadia Creamery in Trout Lake, WA. Pair it with fresh green apples, juicy grapes, and a selection of crisp and crunchy crackers. Better yet add sipping of red wine for our adult friends, you really can’t go wrong.
A Little Libation
For those of age, and who enjoy an adult beverage after a fun filled day, we welcome guests to bring their favorite libations to enjoy as well.
All appetizers are shared with a choice of a non-alcoholic beverage, a cold beer or bottle of wine from our favorite local White Salmon wineries, and fellow river guides and kayakers: COR Cellars, Syncline Winery, and Everybody’s Brewing.
If you are a wine lover, we highly recommend joining our semi-annual Main Salmon trip with our friends from Elk Cove vineyards where our meals get paired with spectacular award winning wines from this renowned Willamette Valley. Our next Elk Cove trip will be in September of 2025!
Main Courses
While the group enjoys appetizers and a beverages. Games are played, warm clothes are adorned, and sleeping spots are solidified. All the while the Wet Planet guide team starts to prepare the main course when we all gather the group back together to enjoy a hard-earned and delicious meal together.
Enjoy this sneak peek into some of the delectable meals prepared and enjoyed riverside:
Grilled, Juicy Salmon with Crispy Skin and Fresh Cilantro Lime Rice
Savor the flavors of the river with perfectly grilled salmon, with its crispy skin giving a delightful crunch. Paired with cilantro lime rice, this dish embodies the essence of riverside dining.
Charcoal Grilled Goods
No good outdoor cook neglects the opportunity for some good grilling. From fresh Salmon to marinated chicken, and delicious chimichurri steak, these dishes are complimented with a perfect hint of smoke and charcoal from a perfect outdoor BBQ. Paired with a green salad, cornbread, and more. Simple, incredible, camping-comfort food.
Worried about dietary restrictions? No problem! We are always happy to accommodate any allergies and intolerances. We’ve been known to excel at baking moist gluten-free chocolate cakes and truly magnificent vegetarian meals.
Muffuletta Sandwich
Our lunches include a variety of wraps and sandwiches, always with proteins, fresh greens and delicious freshly made salads. One of our favorites is the Muffuletta, salami, fresh arugula, tomatoes, home made olive tapenade, and avocado. It’s truly delectable.
Dessert to Top it Off
For all the sweet tooths out there, we never forget about the post-dinner dessert. Our guides whip up a delightful upside-down pineapple cake in a Dutch oven, providing the perfect sweet ending to your day. Other days you will be tantalized by steaming brownies, real ice cream, a peach cobbler or cheese cake! We are not kidding around with our desserts!
More than Just a Good Meal
More than anything, the ingredients that make our shared meals truly spectacular are the people and places you share it with. The fresh grilled salmon tastes that much better when you’re enjoying it sitting with friends new and old, rehashing the day, listening to that ever moving river current gurgle in the backdrop alongside stories and laughter from the group.
Join Us for a Multi-Day River Adventure
For those seeking a unique blend of excitement and culinary delight, our multi-day river rafting trips await. Immerse yourself in the thrill of rapids, unwind in the tranquility of remote campsites, and indulge in gourmet meals prepared by our expert guides. This is more than a journey; it’s a feast for the senses.
Ready for an adventure this spring? Join us on the coveted Owyhee River before water levels go down. Trips are available in May and April, so make your reservations for this stellar spring adventure now.
If you’re waiting for a trip to escape the summer heat, the Main Salmon is a delectable treat. Trips run from June through September on Idaho’s Main Salmon River.
Both multi-day river rafting trips offer incredible meals, stunning views, and an excellent way to slow down and enjoy the magnificent outdoors.
What are you waiting for? Plan that next trip and know that not only are you in for incredible scenery, fun and exhilarating rapids, but you’re also in for some GOOD FOOD!
