About Us - Idaho Wilderness Company

STEVE ZETTEL

I came to Idaho from Philadelphia in 1980 on a Greyhound bus, and I’ve been outfitting and guiding in Idaho and Alaska ever since. In 1996, I met Michelle, a Challis, Idaho native. We were married in August of 1998 and soon after, our two sons, Steven and Joel, joined us to make a family.

Idaho Wilderness Company, is the outfitting adventure business that we started and have thoroughly relished through these years. The office view is phenomenal. We live in the remote town of Challis, Idaho. Challis has a population of about one thousand and is located just outside the Frank Church “River Of No Return” Wilderness. Challis is sixty miles from the next equal sized town, and is a two hour drive from the nearest Walmart. Our home is located on the Salmon River with migrating salmon & steelhead, elk, whitetail, mule deer and much more right out the back door.

I’m Past President of the Idaho Outfitter and Guides Association (IOGA).

MY OLDEST SON, STEVEN.

Born in 1997, Steven was raised in wall tents, on the river and mostly in construction dust. He spent the ﬁrst 13 years of his life living through two major home remodels. He was a strong academic student, ran cross country, participated in most of the youth athletics available in Challis, and moved to Post Falls, ID for the last two years of High School to improve his wrestling skills. He was accepted into Grand Canyon University in 2015.

Steven is first and foremost a wrestler. He is now an 8 time Idaho State champion, including a High School State Championship as a freshman. His wrestling passion greatly influenced his choice of colleges. Following in his father’s footsteps, Steven is an IWC guide as well as a licensed guide in Alaska, where he guides for Lance Kronberger, owner of Freelance Outdoor Adventures.

MY YOUNGEST SON, JOEL

Although a year younger, Joel has survived all the same outfitter lifestyle challenges as his brother Steven. Joel has never met a stranger and if you have ever spent time with Joel on the river or at camp, then you have memories of this special little boy that will last a lifetime.

If you have never met Joel, you can only hope that someday you will be fortunate enough to share some time with him. He plays football and, as always, he is a “wrestler”. He never misses a social event and will probably be Governor some day. We invite you to visit Joel’s website at meandjoel.com and become the ‘me’.

I MUST ALSO SHARE

On December 27 of 2014, my wife and mother of our two boys passed away after her 14 year battle with breast cancer. Since her passing I have been asked countless times if there was going to be any kind of a fund set up in her name.

After much consideration I have come to the conclusion that no one will feel the loss more, nor be as negatively impacted, as our youngest son, Joel. If you’ve ever met Joel you know he is as special as they come.Two characteristics about Joel that have never changed are: He has never met a stranger; and he has never met a woman that didn’t love him.

Although Joel has Down Syndrome, we have never treated him as such, nor has he lived life less. We have always held him to high standards and pushed him to be the best he could be, and Joel has responded by accomplishing amazing things.

CONTRIBUTE TO JOEL'S FUTURE

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US

First rate experience! Steve Zettel and his hand-picked team of guides are masters of opening the magic of this wilderness to all regardless of experience. Not only do they provide a peak experience, they do it in a way that is both natural, and seemingly effortless, the kind of experience that only client-focused masters can regularly provide. As beautiful as the Middle Fork of the Salmon River is, all housed in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, one leaves not only with a true appreciation of this unique land, but also with fond memories of Steve and his guides. The process of sharing their wilderness with us left us amazed with the country and feeling like family. We will be doing this again!

Robert W. Spreen, DDS
Steve and his crew are amazingly efficient, competent, and fun people to spend a week with on a river trip.
My wife and I joined some friends on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in 2014. It was our first guided river trip.
We had a lot of fun and made some great memories. The staff were great company. Whether it was stories about the ancient local sheepeater tribe, a tutorial in fly fishing, local geology, river knowledge, or biology of the abundant local wildlife they always were in the know. The fishing was excellent and I caught my first cutthroat trout. I’m afraid after having the camp set up for us before we arrived each day along with the phenomenal food has ruined my wife (former river guide) and I for any future DIY river trips! We can’t wait to return!

Dr. Brett A. Barringer
Without a doubt, floating the Middle Fork of the Salmon, the River of No Return, with Idaho Wilderness Company is a “Bucket List” lifetime event. I have done this trip with Idaho Wilderness Company 8 years in a row now. Great food, excellent fly fishing, fantastic people, full service. You can’t ask for a better experience on a river trip!

Mike Tennent
We wanted to touch every opportunity and we did. Roiling rapids, lazy deep water, diving from boulders and bridge, trail hikes to hot springs, waterfalls, grottos, and petroglyphs, historical elements (old cabins, communication wires, forest burns, landslides), pausing for wildlife, fishing, great food, campfires with stories and music and poetry, starlight nights – everything was delivered. The leaders know how to fit in all of the activities, while other companies’ boats floated past without stopping. The Idaho Wilderness Company gives an overwhelming experience of play and discovery along the Middle Fork, while observing a comprehensive respect for the Wilderness environment.

Richard Muffley
Middle fork of the Salmon River rafting trip was the best family vacation I ever took. My husband knew what to expect but the kids and I didn’t. The thrill of the ride and the wonder of the scenery is overwhelming. Every turn in the river brought a more beautiful view. We saw animals up close and personal. Being as we were on the river, I didn’t expect our meals to be anything special. The meals were fancier than anything I would make at home, with desserts too. Our guides were professional and very helpful. I would recommend this trip to anyone.

Jodi Vandergrift
The very best testimonial I can imagine is that my boys still talk about this trip today (15 years later ). They were 11 and 13 years old at the time. Get those kids out of the house and into the wilderness and trade Xboxes for tackle boxes!

Kent J. Regli
In 2014, I returned to the river for the third time. This time was with Steve and his crew at Idaho Wilderness Company. Having done this trip two times in the past with other companies, I had a basis of comparison. I must say, I could not have been more pleased with Steve and his men. The River never disappoints but a crew can. They didn’t. We were treated like kings. The information given made us feel safe at all time. The food was tremendous. The campsites were chosen with care and were beautiful. The equipment was first class. The guides went out of their way to make sure we had the experience of a lifetime…and we did. I cannot recommend this company highly enough. As mentioned, this was my third trip and I went with my son and daughter-in-law. I will be returning soon to Idaho Wilderness Company for my fourth trip down this magnificent river. This time with my grandchildren.
My sincere thanks for continuing to provide this opportunity year after year, for allowing us to experience a life altering trip. As Mad Dog noted very few people get to take this trip. It is the best kept secret despite my blabbering about it. Perhaps you continue because each trip is different, not replicated. I personally look forward to spending a week on the ‘riva’ every year with you and the many friends that have resulted from the experience.

Ready to Float the Middle Fork with us?

Click here to request more information, or call us at (208) 879-4700.

MEET OUR TEAM

Ask any past guest what made their trip with us most memorable and they will enthusiastically answer, “the guides!” Our guides are your ideal river hosts, excelling at fishing, and culinary skills, not to mention, story telling. Employing seasonal guides is much like keeping track of Canadian geese or Monarch butterﬂies. We know where they are at and what they are up to when they are here, but once the migration begins all bets are off. Guides for Idaho Wilderness Company are: Licensed rescue and first aid trained. Your safety is a top priority; Gracious, helpful and ready to show you the river and wilderness they love; Most willing and able bodied to ensure guest comfort and fun during your wilderness vacation. In no particular order, hereʼs what we know of what our crew is up to.