Permits and Regulations

Permits are always required on the Middle Fork, regardless of season. For information about private permits, visit our private permits page.

Private vs. Commercial

There are two types of trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon: Private and Commercial. Private trips are those in which all expenses are shared equally, no one is getting paid to be on the trip, and the trip is using a private permit. On commercial trips, customers pay an outfitter (who has a commercial Middle Fork permit), to take them down the river.

According to the Forest Service:

Private non-commercial floaters may not be paid in any manner; they must equally share costs with other members of the group. A trip is noncommercial if there is a bona fide sharing of costs where no part of the fees are collected in excess of actual costs of the activity, for salary or financial gain in any manner for any of the group, its leaders or sponsors or for capital increase or amortization (paying off debt) of the major equipment.

A trip is commercial if any of the participants makes a profit, receives a reimbursement or salary in the form of cash, goods, or service, receives a rental for use of rafts or equipment, increases the value of equipment; or supports in any part other programs or activities from amounts received from other party members.

Middle Fork Regulations

A list of equipment each party must have to launch on the Middle Fork:

• Firepan with 3" sides
• Metal and sealable container for carrying out ash
• Porta-Potty
• Mesh Strainer capable of straining coffee grounds
• Bucket and Shovel