The rafts are tied up for the evening as everyone in camp enjoyed another magnificent meal. Second only to dessert was the magical sunset that punctuated a fun-filled day on the river. Each night on the river is unique. Riding wave trains is the obvious crowd-pleaser, but embrace the pace of beach life.
Another option is to extend the float from the Wallowa River and continue on the Grande Ronde River. There are a handful of takeout options, and this will depend on how many days you want to spend on the river. Typically, we only have a night, and it is possible at higher flow to raft from Minam Station Day-Use Area to Powatka Bridge Takeout. This requires two long days on the river, so two or more nights is ideal.
The Grande Ronde River is a family-friendly float. There are plenty of smaller rapids to keep everyone entertained, but just enough big water to dust off the rowing skills. The campsites are numerous, each with their own vibe. This remote landscape offers solitude, peace, and rejuvenation, not to mention fun, thrills, and, most importantly, uninterrupted time to connect.
To reach these remote places requires less time than you would expect from the dessert-like conditions of the valley. It requires just an hour and a half to reach the put in for both rivers. The Wallowa River is a much easier shuttle, while the Grande Ronde River (again, depending on where you take out) is at minimum an hour and a half shuttle back to the Minam Station Day-Use Area. This means that if you are traveling to Walla Walla for more traditional reasons, rafting pairs well with blend of activities—toast to recreation!
Speaking of wine, the Minam Store & Outfitters runs a Wine & Food on the River trip on the Grande Ronde, Salmon, and Snake Rivers. If you thought rafting was fun, try running a river with a winemaker! From family-friendly to fishing to food and more, they have a trip for you—no experience necessary!
The last river our team considers a regional attraction is the Salmon (lower). The main reason centers on the shuttle—the trip starts and ends in Clarkston, Washington, which is only two hours from Walla Walla. This might seem way outside Walla Walla (see what I did there), but as any avid rafter will attest, it is a mere drop in the groover in comparison to the commute many rivers require.
We had the good fortune of rafting with a lovely gentleman from Texas who spent four days floating the Salmon River followed by, I believe, a week in Walla Walla wine tasting with friends, so it is definitely possible and recommended.
