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Compare Extreme U.S. Canoe Trips head to head
Pick any two picks from this list and see specs, current price, pros, cons and reader ratings side by side.
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#1 on this list
Yukon River: Eagle to Circle
Yukon-Charley Rivers, Alaska
Roughly 158 roadless river miles where cold water, braided channels, driftwood, and delayed rescue demand expedition-level self-reliance.
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- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#2 on this list
Middle Fork Salmon River
Frank Church Wilderness, Idaho
A 104-mile wilderness river with continuous rapids; an open-canoe descent belongs only to expert whitewater paddlers.
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- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Yukon River: Eagle to Circle | Middle Fork Salmon River |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Eagle to Circle | Boundary Creek to Cache Bar |
| Distance | About 158 river miles | 104 miles |
| Typical time | 7–10 days | 5–7 days |
| Prime window | Late June–August | — |
| Primary hazard | Remote cold-water travel | — |
| Difficulty | — | Continuous wilderness whitewater |
| Permit | — | Required in control season |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Yukon River: Eagle to Circle
- Extraordinary wilderness
- Strong natural current
- No quick exits
- Cold silty water
Middle Fork Salmon River
- Iconic wilderness river
- Continuous challenge
- Expert-only in an open canoe
- Competitive permit
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.


