Join the Go Wild team for this one-of-a-kind land, air, and water paddling adventure! Take a wilderness flight into Oregon's largest wilderness and paddle out 20+ miles on fun class II+ water. This trip allows ample time for practicing boating skills, fishing, relaxing at camp, wildlife viewing, and includes an opening dinner at the luxury Minam River Lodge in the heart of the wilderness.
Our journey begins with a beautiful stretch of calm water where we'll practice packraft skills, before turning into a class II+ ride for 10 miles with few eddies, fast water, and plenty of fun water. The second half of the trip mellows out with opportunities to enjoy the scenery and a few fun basalt bends with wave trains and splashy water. This trip requires that bring your own boat, gear and food, (or rent from us).
This is a great trip for active adventurers with some paddling experience looking for a guided wilderness river adventure. Contact us with any hesitations or questions.
- FLY-IN & FLOAT-OUT: we'll add fishing, swimming, foraging, and more for a truly multi-sport adventure
-MINAM RIVER LODGE: kick off the adventure with a chef prepared dinner at the luxury Minam River Lodge
- WILD: Experience Oregon's largest wilderness from the water
- LEARN: utilize our guides for practice of paddle strokes, gear how to's, boat loading, safety considerations, how to fly fish, and locally-specific conservation practices
- UNIQUE & EXCLUSIVE: at the time of this writing, Go Wild is the only permitted packrafting guide on the Minam River
- SIP: while meals are on your own, sip on craft cocktails made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients and liquors.
- EXPLORE & DISCONNECT: travel through the best of the Wallowas with local professional and certified guides
What are Packrafts? Packrafts are ultralight (6-10lbs) single-person inflatable boats that can be rolled up and packed in or on a backpack. They make wilderness float trips like this one possible!
Do I need previous experience?
For this trip, we require you to either have participated in a Go Wild packrafting tour before, taken a packrafting skills course from one of our partners, or have demonstrated paddling experience.
How much do I need to carry? While packrafts make a backpacking trip easy when you're on the water (because they carry all the weight), they do add quite a bit to your pack weight despite being lightweight. With the addition of paddling gear (packrafts, paddles, helmets, dry suits), a your food, and your typical backpacking gear, packs can weight anywhere from 40-70lbs. However, with flying in, you shouldn't be carrying a backpack unless part of the group decides to hike downriver to skip the more difficult water.
Is the trail difficult? That's the good news! If we do any hiking on the Minam River Trail, it is gradual and well maintained.
local, professional, certified, naturalist packraft guides / instructors
on our first night in the backcountry enjoy a kickoff dinner at the luxury Minam River Lodge
Flight into the wilderness, plane seats 2-3
meet & greet evening before w/ first beverage hosted by Go Wild
from our take-out to the airport where your cars are waiting
enjoy craft cocktails around the fire each night
we are professional wilderness fun facilitators
professional photographer & download link to photos
transportation to and from Eastern Oregon-- contact us if you need this arranged
All meals are on your own on this trip
lodging before / after your trip -- contact us for local discounts and recommendations
packrafts, paddle, PFD, helmet, tent, pad, sleeping bag, cook gear, etc. --- we'll send you a packing list upon booking and we do have gear available for rent
(we rent for $40/person)
we can help arrange rentals at a discount
for carrying a packraft, paddle, sleeping bag, pad, tent, a portion of group food, personal belongings, and more
drinks purchased at MRL on night 1
appreciated, but not required (typically 10-20% of trip cost)
The evening before our adventure, meet your guides at our favorite La Grande local eatery for a round of drinks on us. Talk shop, test gear, get excited, and ask any last minute questions.
In the morning, meet your guides at the quaint La Grade Airport. It's an 30 min flight into the Eagle Cap Wilderness to reach the Minam River and our camp for night 1.
After setting up camp, hit the river for safety basics and familiarize yourself with the boats: entry, exit, movement, and paddling strokes.
Tonight we kick off the adventure with a hike to the luxury Minam River Lodge for a chef prepared dinner! Dine on hyperlocal grub, drinks are on-your-own, and hike back to camp under the stars.
After a hearty breakfast, it's time to hit the river for our first day of downstream travel. It's 8 miles to our camp along the mighty Minam. Along the way, visit historical indigenous sites, stop for lunch, try your hand at fly fishing, and practice reading river features.
Today we transition out of the forested U-shaped glacier carved wilderness into a classic V-shaped canyon characterized by Columbia River Basalt. Put your paddling practice to work as we float 10 miles downriver to our next camp and some of the best fishing on the river. Watch for wildlife, stare in awe at the towering basalt cliffs, and enjoy the freedom of being on the water.
On our last morning, help break camp and paddle the remaining 5 miles of river to where the Minam meets the Wallowa River on its journey to the Pacific Ocean. After a celebratory beer, our guides will take you back to your cars. Hugs goodbye and a safe drive home.
