Steve ZettEL

Steve Zettel’s journey into the Idaho wilderness began in 1980 when he arrived from Philadelphia on a Greyhound bus. Since then, he has dedicated his life to outfitting and guiding in Idaho and Alaska, building a reputation as a skilled outdoorsman and expert in wilderness adventures.

In 1996, Steve met Michelle, a Challis, Idaho native, and the two were married in 1998. Together, they founded Idaho Wilderness Company, turning their passion for the outdoors into a thriving outfitting business. Over the years, they built a life in the remote town of Challis, located just outside the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. Their home, set along the Salmon River, offers a front-row seat to nature’s beauty, with migrating salmon, steelhead, elk, mule deer, and more right outside their door.

Steve is a past president of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association (IOGA) and has spent decades sharing his love of the wilderness with others. Through Idaho Wilderness Company, he continues to provide unforgettable experiences for those looking to explore the untamed beauty of Idaho’s rivers and backcountry.