The Grande Ronde River Golden Stonefly Hatch is a remarkable, one-time-a-year occurrence. Beautiful Golden Stoneflies become thick in the air and fish cannot get enough of these succulent morsels. Come join the fun during this hatch on our 4 day, fully-guided, and all-inclusive expedition on the beautiful waters of the Grande Ronde wild and scenic section. We’ll take care of every logistic for you, from putting you in the best spots to catch Rainbow Trout to setting up your tent and preparing gourmet meals. When you finish the day, you’ll be greeted with delicious appetizers and drinks. Life doesn’t get much better than that. And we are happy to accommodate most dietary needs upon request. Please note: these dates are flexible within reason (the hatch has a window). *Contact us if you would like to explore other date options for a group of at least 4-6 anglers.
The beautiful Grande Ronde River canyon
Our multi-day trips float through the Wild & Scenic section of the Grande Ronde River
Common Merganser family. Parents adopt young who have drifted downstream of their folks.
Camp scene among the Ponderosa Pines
Our guests never go hungry! We use local ingredients whenever possible.
River otters are a familiar site on all of our rivers
Evening light on the canyon walls
Oregon Swallowtail Butterflies along the Grande Ronde's banks
Columbia River Basalt forms the canyon walls of the Grande Ronde
Majestic Ponderosa Pines lord over the Grande Ronde's river banks
Hikes with fantastic views
Class II and III white water on this beautiful scenic float
Great fly fishing river, especially for Grande Ronde Steelhead
May 13-17 Photography & Wildflowers May 20: Open May 31: Open June 8: Open June 16: Open June 24: Open July 2: Open July 10: Open July 18: Open July 26: Full August 3: Open August 11:Plate and Pitchfork trip August 19: Open August 27: open
2023 space still available(updated Aug 3rd)
August 11: Call for availability August: 19 Open (2 seats open) August: 27 Open (4 seats available) September: 4 Fishtrap
Float the deepest river canyon in North America, the Snake River through Hells Canyon on our 5 day rafting adventure. This whitewater rafting trip runs 79 miles through the heart of Hells Canyon, from Hells Canyon Dam to Heller Bar in Idaho. Each trip begins and ends in Joseph, Oregon where round-trip transportation to and from the river is included in your trip cost. Run world-class, powerful class III and IV whitewater, the likes of Granite and Wild Sheep rapids. Visit historical sites, fish for Rainbow Trout and prehistoric White Sturgeon, and let our guides take care of your every last need. And we’d to like to mention that our gourmet menu is capstoned with locally raised and grown ingredients when available. We are happy to accommodate most dietary needs upon request. A perfect trip for adventure-seekers ages 7 and up.
Sunrise in the canyon
Sunset at Eureka Bar, confluence of the Snake and Imnaha Rivers.
Farm fresh eggs (we have our own chickens, so we know they're fresh!), fresh breads, and seasonal fruits are always on the menu.
Inflatable kayaks are on every trip
Nez Perce pictograph sites are abundant in the canyon. We stop to visit them throughout the trip.
Tomato and blue cheese bruschetta
World-class whitewater (Class III & IV). That's an 18 foot raft.
Hells Canyon, the deepest river canyon in North America
One of the many campsites in the canyon
Trails are abundant throughout the canyon and there are many hiking opportunities.
White Sturgeon, indigenous to the Snake River watershed, can grow up to 20 feet in length.
Black Bear are among the myriad of wildlife we see in the canyon.
Wild caught Salmon cooked on a cedar plank, one of our specialties.
Custom Private Charter Dates available upon request
Join us on 5 day trip of a lifetime through the lower portion of the Salmon River known as the Canyons. This rafting adventure is quite possibly the best family vacation available today. As the longest free-flowing river contained within 1 state in the lower 48 United States, the Salmon River is arguably one of the most beautiful rivers in North America. Crystal clear water flows 425 miles through a pristine watershed, which is primarily wilderness. Float through 4 deep river canyons while navigating exhilarating class III and IV whitewater in a guided oar boat, paddle raft, and/or inflatable kayak. The white sand beaches are perfect for beach games as well as camping. Let our guides take care of every last detail while you build memories to last a lifetime. And we’d like to mention that our gourmet menu is capstoned with locally raised and grown ingredients. We are happy to accommodate most dietary needs upon request. This rafting trip is ideal for both thrill-seekers and relaxation-seekers alike ages 5 and up.
Sunset on the Salmon
Snowhole Canyon
Class III and IV whitewater
Beautiful white sand beaches
Snowhole Rapid, Class IV Whitewater
Deep canyons where all you hear is the trill of Canyon Wrens & laughter from the group
Fascinating geology, including Columnar Basalt
Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep
Class III and IV whitewater
Beautiful white sand beaches and warm, crystal clear water.
Quality family time
A typical beach camp along the Salmon
Sumo wrestling…a hilarious scene
Rest, relax, and let us take care of everything
Native American pictograph site in Green Canyon
Cliff jumping
Wild caught salmon cooked on a cedar plank is one of our mouth-watering specialties.
The zen of the canyons
Perfect adventure for individuals, families, and groups
Farm fresh eggs (from our WWRE chickens), fresh breads, and seasonal fruits are always on the menu.
Custom Private Charter Dates available upon request
Join us on a 4 day trip of a lifetime through the lower portion of the Salmon River known as the Canyons. This rafting adventure is quite possibly the best family vacation available today. As the longest free-flowing river contained within 1 state in the lower 48 United States, the Salmon River is arguably one of the most beautiful rivers in North America. Crystal clear water flows 425 miles through a pristine watershed, which is primarily wilderness. Float through 4 deep river canyons while navigating exhilarating class III and IV whitewater in a guided oar boat, paddle raft, and/or inflatable kayak. We also bring along stand up paddle boards. The white sand beaches are perfect for beach games as well as camping. And we’d like to mention that our gourmet menu is capstoned with locally raised and grown ingredients. We are happy to accommodate most dietary needs upon request. Let our guides take care of every last detail while you build memories to last a lifetime. This trip is ideal for both thrill-seekers and relaxation-seekers alike ages 5 and up.
Sunset on the Salmon
Snowhole Canyon
Class III and IV whitewater
Beautiful white sand beaches
Snowhole Rapid, Class IV Whitewater
Deep canyons where all you hear is the trill of Canyon Wrens & laughter from the group
Fascinating geology, including Columnar Basalt
Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep
Class III and IV whitewater
Beautiful white sand beaches and warm, crystal clear water.
Quality family time
A typical beach camp along the Salmon
Sumo wrestling…a hilarious scene
Rest, relax, and let us take care of everything
Native American pictograph site in Green Canyon
Cliff jumping
Wild caught salmon cooked on a cedar plank is one of our mouth-watering specialties.
The zen of the canyons
Perfect adventure for individuals, families, and groups
Farm fresh eggs (from our WWRE chickens), fresh breads, and seasonal fruits are always on the menu.
May 20: Open May 31: Open June 8: Open June 16: Open June 24: Open July 2: Open July 10: Open July 18: Open July 26: Full August 3: Open August 11:Plate and Pitchfork August 19: Open August 27: Open September 4 Fishtrap
2023 Remaining Availability (updated Aug 3)
August 11 call for availability August 19 Open (2 seats open) August 27 Open (4 seats open) September 4 Fishtrap
Float the deepest river canyon in North America, the Snake River through Hells Canyon on our 3 day rafting adventure, which runs 32 miles through the upper section of Hells Canyon, from Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing in Idaho. This trip begins in Joseph, Oregon. You will drive your vehicle to Hells Canyon Dam (the launch) the morning of the trip and your vehicle will be shuttled to the take-out at Pittsburg Landing, Idaho. Pittsburg Landing is located 5 hours from Joseph, where you will start your trip. Run the biggest whitewater in the Pacific Northwest, visit historical sites, fish for prehistoric White Sturgeon, and let our guides take care of your every last need. And we’d to like to mention that our gourmet menu is capstoned with locally raised and grown ingredients when available. We are happy to accommodate most dietary needs upon request. A perfect trip for adventure-seekers ages 7 and up.
Sunrise in the canyon
Sunset at Eureka Bar, confluence of the Snake and Imnaha Rivers.
Farm fresh eggs (we have our own chickens, so we know they're fresh!), fresh breads, and seasonal fruits are always on the menu.
Inflatable kayaks are on every trip
Nez Perce pictograph sites are abundant in the canyon. We stop to visit them throughout the trip.
Tomato and blue cheese bruschetta
World-class whitewater (Class III & IV). That's an 18 foot raft.
Hells Canyon, the deepest river canyon in North America
One of the many campsites in the canyon
Trails are abundant throughout the canyon and there are many hiking opportunities.
White Sturgeon, indigenous to the Snake River watershed, can grow up to 20 feet in length.
Black Bear are among the myriad of wildlife we see in the canyon.
Wild caught Salmon cooked on a cedar plank, one of our specialties.
Join Adventure/Fine Art Photographer & Naturalist Kendrick Moholt on a 5 day photography workshop and wildflower tour while rafting on the Snake River in Hells Canyon during the spectacular spring wildflower bloom. This trip is open to photographers and non-photographers simply interested in the natural history of Hells Canyon. Float 51 miles through the heart of Hells Canyon, from Hells Canyon Creek to Heller Bar. This trip begins and ends in Joseph, Oregon where round-trip transportation to and from the river is included in your trip cost. Run powerful class III and IV whitewater, the likes of Granite and Wild Sheep rapids. Visit historical sites, fish for prehistoric White Sturgeon, and let the Winding Waters’ guides take care of your every last need. And we’d like to mention that our gourmet menu is capstoned with locally raised and grown ingredients when available. We are happy to accommodate most dietary needs upon request.
About the Photography Workshop: Photographers of all skill levels are welcome. Kendrick will provide photographic instruction tailored to individual needs. Photography topics will range from basic setting for outdoor digital work to finding the right landscape composition through perspective and from techniques for capturing moving water to action/recreation photography. A priority on this trip will be getting to know the canyon with extra time out of camp and off the raft. And Hells Canyon will come alive with Kendrick’s enthusiasm for Hells Canyon’s natural history, especially wildflowers. This adventure is open to all outdoor enthusiasts who want to learn more about the natural wonders of Hells Canyon. Learn more about the workshop.
About Kendrick Moholt: Kendrick has photographed some of the most remote corners of the planet while traveling on all seven continents. Though he continues to love working in faraway places, Kendrick equally enjoys working from his home base in northeast Oregon because of the outstanding wildlife and landscape opportunities. He has worked extensively in Hells Canyon as both a field biologist and professional photographer. Learn more about Kendrick.
Wallowa Resources Whitewater Retreat:
The confluence of history, restoration and adventure
May 31st, 2024: Experience the beauty, history, and union of natural resources and rural communities on this unique 3-day guided river trip through the Wild & Scenic section of the beautiful Grande Ronde River in Northeastern Oregon. Float the river and run the rapids by day, then sit by the campfire and listen to live music and inspiring speakers by night while eating locally sourced food and sipping a cold Terminal Gravity pilsner.
Learn about a rural community’s connection to the land on this unique educational adventure. Featured speakers will cover a wide range of topics related to their history, sense of place, and the promise of a sustainable future through exciting new land management practices and an innovative new stewardship economy.
Highlights:
Welcome gathering at the Winding Water’s boathouse in Joseph
Inspiring Campfire Storytellers
Live acoustic music each day
Local sourced meals and & Terminal Gravity beer
Volunteer opportunities available for those interested
Seventy Five percent of your trip cost will go towards 501(c)3 non-profit Wallowa Resources Stewardship Programs that are strengthening our rural communities, investing in people and the land, and fostering the next generation of rural leaders.
Musical Entertainment: provided by the talented Darrell Brann and his daughter Meredith owners/operators of the almost 100 year old OK Theater in Enterprise, OR. Locally Sourced Food and Beer: Winding Waters’ gourmet menu is capstoned with locally raised, grown and sourced ingredients, including beef from Liza Jane’s 6 Ranch. We are happy to accommodate most dietary needs upon request. Let our guides take care of every last detail while you build memories to last a lifetime.
For more information about Wallowa Resources and their work, please visit these websites:
Wallowa Resources – A nationally recognized community based non-profit.
Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition – a coalition of community-based groups, small businesses, county governments, and regional and national partners promoting balanced conservation-based approaches to the ecological and economic problems facing the rural West and the nation.
My Blue Mountains Woodland – a public-private partnership advancing forest restoration and stewardship across 900,000 acres of family forest lands in Northeast Oregon.
Wallowa Whitman Forest Collaborative – a diverse group of stakeholders working to improve the social, economic, and ecological resiliency of the Wallowa Whitman National Forest and local communities through collaboration.
Guest Speakers:
Nils Christoffersen, Wallowa Resources Executive Director, has diverse experience in place-based natural resource management from working around the world, including ranching in Australia, farming in Israel, fishing and forestry in Norway, and forestry and wildlife in southern Africa. He is passionate about working landscapes and the role of rural communities in their stewardship. He is a graduate of both Williams College (B.A. Economics) and Oxford University (M.S. Forestry), and has served on many local and national boards – including the National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry. He currently serves on the Oregon Board of Forestry, World Forest Center’s Board of Directors, and Enterprise School District Board. He previously served on the National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry (2003-2008), and Chaired the Governor of Oregon’s Eastside Forest Advisory Panel from 2003-2005.
We expect to have 1 or 2 additional speakers along to share their stories with us. These are yet to be scheduled.
The beautiful Grande Ronde River canyon
Our multi-day trips float through the Wild & Scenic section of the Grande Ronde River
Common Merganser family. Parents adopt young who have drifted downstream of their folks.
Camp scene among the Ponderosa Pines
Our guests never go hungry! We use local ingredients whenever possible.
River otters are a familiar site on all of our rivers
Evening light on the canyon walls
Oregon Swallowtail Butterflies along the Grande Ronde's banks
Columbia River Basalt forms the canyon walls of the Grande Ronde
Majestic Ponderosa Pines lord over the Grande Ronde's river banks
Hikes with fantastic views
Class II and III white water on this beautiful scenic float
Great fly fishing river, especially for Grande Ronde Steelhead
Announcing the 12th annualPlate & Pitchfork Raft Trip, a wonderful Ranch to River Bank adventure. We’re thrilled to have Chef/Owner Ben Bettinger from The Laurelhurst Market and Big’s Chicken in Portland, OR joining us again on the rafts this year. Ben’s delicious and hearty meals will feature products grown and raised in Northeastern Oregon, like Carman Ranch beef and Hawkins Sisters Ranch chicken.
Because no trip is complete without good beer, Terminal Gravity Brewery will fill our coolers with their delicious ales. You’ll be well fueled for your adventures. And we are happy to accommodate most dietary needs upon request.
In addition to fabulous food, you’ll enjoy three days filled with thrilling Class III & IV whitewater, incredible scenery, wildlife viewing and fishing opportunities as we venture thirty-two river miles through the heart of the deepest river canyon in North America, the Snake River in Hells Canyon. After dinner, enjoy campfire camaraderie and falling asleep under magnificent starry skis listening to the sound of the river babbling by.
Sunrise in the canyon
Sunset at Eureka Bar, confluence of the Snake and Imnaha Rivers.
Farm fresh eggs (we have our own chickens, so we know they're fresh!), fresh breads, and seasonal fruits are always on the menu.
Inflatable kayaks are on every trip
Nez Perce pictograph sites are abundant in the canyon. We stop to visit them throughout the trip.
Tomato and blue cheese bruschetta
World-class whitewater (Class III & IV). That's an 18 foot raft.
Hells Canyon, the deepest river canyon in North America
One of the many campsites in the canyon
Trails are abundant throughout the canyon and there are many hiking opportunities.
White Sturgeon, indigenous to the Snake River watershed, can grow up to 20 feet in length.
Black Bear are among the myriad of wildlife we see in the canyon.
Wild caught Salmon cooked on a cedar plank, one of our specialties.
September 3-8, 2023: Registration is through Fishtrap
Announcing your dream writing workshop…floating the deepest river gorge wilderness in North America with Beth Piatote. This workshop is an Outpost for Fishtrap, a local non-profit whose mission is to promote “clear thinking and good writing in and about the West.” Raft down one of the world’s most dramatic and rugged canyons while receiving personal instruction from Piatote. To experience the natural world from the bottom of Hells Canyon is sure to stir the imagination and provide stories for a lifetime. Hosting the trip is Winding Waters River Expeditions who will expertly navigate the river, provide delicious meals, and bring you to the best camp spots on the river. The work that will emerge is sure to paint a complex beautiful landscape, true writing of place.
About Beth Piatote: Beth is a writer of fiction, poetry, essays, plays, and scholarly works. Her 2019 mixed-genre collection, The Beadworkers: Stories, was longlisted for the Aspen Words Literary Prize and the PEN/Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection, and shortlisted for the California Independent Booksellers “Golden Poppy” Award for Fiction. Her play,Antíkoni, was selected for the 2020 Festival of New Plays by Native Voices at the Autry, and continues in development for stage; her poems, stories, and essays appear in numerous journals and anthologies. She is Nez Perce, enrolled with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and a founding member of luk’upsíimey/North Star Collective, a group of Nez Perce writers and language activists. She is an associate professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley.
Sunrise in the canyon
Sunset at Eureka Bar, confluence of the Snake and Imnaha Rivers.
Farm fresh eggs (we have our own chickens, so we know they're fresh!), fresh breads, and seasonal fruits are always on the menu.
Inflatable kayaks are on every trip
Nez Perce pictograph sites are abundant in the canyon. We stop to visit them throughout the trip.
Tomato and blue cheese bruschetta
World-class whitewater (Class III & IV). That's an 18 foot raft.
Hells Canyon, the deepest river canyon in North America
One of the many campsites in the canyon
Trails are abundant throughout the canyon and there are many hiking opportunities.
White Sturgeon, indigenous to the Snake River watershed, can grow up to 20 feet in length.
Black Bear are among the myriad of wildlife we see in the canyon.
Wild caught Salmon cooked on a cedar plank, one of our specialties.
Join us on our 3 day scenic whitewater float through the Wild & Scenic section of the beautiful Grande Ronde River in Oregon. Easy class II whitewater, a deep basalt river canyon, and stunning Ponderosa Pine forests provide the perfect backdrop for a relaxing, fun-filled adventure on one of Oregon’s hidden gems. Our all-inclusive trips include round-trip transportation to and from Joseph, OR. Float in a guided oar raft, paddle raft and/or inflatable kayak. We also take stand up paddle boards on these adventures. And we’d like to mention that our gourmet menu is capstoned with locally raised and grown ingredients. We are happy to accommodate most dietary needs upon request. Let our guides take care of every last detail while you build memories to last a lifetime. A perfect trip for families, groups, and individuals wishing to explore one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful rivers.
Float the deepest river canyon in North America, the Snake River through Hells Canyon on this 4 day fishing expedition, targeting Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout and White Sturgeon. This Fishing and whitewater rafting trip runs 32 miles through the heart of Hells Canyon, from Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing in Idaho. Each trip begins in Joseph, Oregon, and ends at Pittsburg Landing, where we will have your vehicle shuttled for the end of the trip. Run world-class, powerful class III and IV whitewater, the likes of Granite and Wild Sheep rapids. Fish for Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout and White Sturgeon in this world-class Bass fishery. Our guides are experienced at guiding/teaching all skill levels from beginner to advanced and are happy to accommodate both Fly Fisherman and Spin Casters. This is a perfect trip for the experienced angler and the 12 year old first time angler. There have been a many “First Fish Evers” on this trip.
In addition to catching your fill, you will also have the opportunity to run some amazing whitewater, take a short hike, spot wildlife, and visit many historical sites while our guides take care of your every last need. And we’d like to mention that our gourmet menu is capstoned with locally raised and grown ingredients when available. We are happy to accommodate most dietary needs upon request. A perfect trip for adventure-seeking anglers ages 12 and up.
become thick in the air and fish cannot get enough of these succulent morsels. Come join the fun during this hatch on our 4 day, fully-guided, and all-inclusive expedition on the beautiful waters of the Grande Ronde wild and scenic section. We’ll take care of every logistic for you, from putting you in the best spots to catch Rainbow Trout to setting up your tent and preparing gourmet meals. When you finish the day, you’ll be greeted with delicious appetizers and drinks. Life doesn’t get much better than that. And we are happy to accommodate most dietary needs upon request. Please note: these dates are flexible within reason (the hatch has a window). *Contact us if you would like to explore other date options for a group of at least 4-6 anglers.
