SEASONAL: June- Early September
View our WEDDING PHOTO GALLERY
Mackay Bar Ranch is more than just another wedding venue . . . it is a story, an adventure, a magical place where your special day will never be forgotten.
At Mackay Bar Ranch, we require a minimum two night stay, allowing the wedding couple to mingle and enjoy their wedding guests before and after their wedding – we do all the catering, so you can relax and not worry about a thing! We have enough lodging accommodations for 23-34 guests (depending on group makeup). If your group is larger than 34, we have a large grassy area for tent campers along the shores of the Salmon River – right on the grounds at Mackay Bar Ranch.
Mackay Bar Ranch offers a myriad of options for guest activities before and after your core wedding event. Unlimited enjoyment of our jet boats, fishing, volleyball, horseshoes, basketball, hiking, beaches, etc.
Most wedding parties will all arrive to Mackay Bar Ranch via our twin engine jet boats, however, some couples opt to arrive to the ranch via backcountry charter plane or raft!
Two packages to choose from: Elopement Package & Wedding Package
- Jet boat transportation from Vinegar Creek Boat Ramp to Mackay Bar Ranch is included
- 2 nights Lodging and Meals
- All major rentals such as chairs, tables, linens, table settings, etc. are included (Wedding Package Only)
- All activities are included (jet boat rides, fishing, hiking, beach time and swimming)
- We can host up to 40 guests: Accommodations include 3 cabins, 4 private rooms, 2 deluxe wall tents, and a two bedroom river suite – enough lodging accommodations to host 23-34 depending on the makeup of your group. The remainder of group can tent camp on the grounds at Mackay Bar.
- String Lighting, Custom Menus, small cake (Wedding Package only)
- Fully catered ranch to help the entire three days from cooking, serving, setup and tear down, to trash removal
Included:
All lodging, meals and jet boat transport to/from Ranch along with jet boat tours and fully guided activities! Cake, rustic vintage wood tables, crossback wood chairs, ice machine, PA system (with Bluetooth), fully staffed ranch for catering all meals, all cleanup, tables and chairs (dinner table setup), plates and silverware (along with all glassware for wedding night dinner), garbage haulout, cold storage, string lights, as well as all paper products (cups, silverware, napkins, plates, etc.) for the entire event.
2 PM: Departure for Ranch – we will be meeting at the Vinegar Creek Boat Ramp on the Main Salmon River, 1 hour drive time east of Riggins, ID. We will leave the boat ramp around 2:30 pm to explore 26 miles of the mighty Salmon River before arriving at Mackay Bar Ranch! White water jet boat adventure, swimming and fishing!
4 PM: Arrive at Ranch – guests shown to rooms & around Ranch
5 PM: Hors d’oeuvres and drinks served
6 PM: Rehearsal – brief wedding party practice/planning (if desired)
7 PM: Dinner: Spice Crusted Salmon with roasted veggies, served over avocado kale salad & chipotle dipping sauce. Salted caramel brownies to follow. Bonfire (seasonal), music, serve yourself beverage station
9 AM: Breakfast served!
11 AM: Decorate, yard games, swimming, fishing, boating, beach time
1 PM: Lunch served at The Lodge at Mackay Bar
3 PM: Relaxation time!
5 PM: Wedding ceremony – its the big day!
7 PM: Dinner – Prime rib feast with brown butter sauce, fried rosemary and smashed baby reds. Wedding cake & cupcakes to follow. Reception: music, dancing, bonfire (seasonal), beverage station
8 AM : Breakfast at Mackay Bar Lodge
10 AM : Load the boats and head downriver for the 26 mile journey back to Vinegar Creek Boat Ramp (arriving at noon)
Plan Your Trip:
Guests meet at Vinegar Creek Boat Ramp (26 miles East of Riggin, Idaho) to be picked up by our Mackay Bar Jet Boats! For guests flying commercially, you will fly into Boise, ID’s airport (BOI). When coming and going from Mackay Bar Ranch, most guests choose to overnight in either McCall, ID (2 hour drive from Boise) or Riggins, ID (3 hour drive from Boise). This is where your adventure truly begins, as we transport you along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Salmon River your eyes will ever see. The Main Salmon River flows through the Frank Church “River of No Return” Wilderness where wildlife sightings are frequent. You will also see gleaming sandy white beaches as you approach your final destination: Mackay Bar Ranch.
Our Most Recent Weddings:
View our Most recent Weddings:
Andrew & Elizabeth:
VENUE: Mackay Bar Ranch
FLOWERS: South Fork Flowers
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jenny Losee Photography
CAKE: Mackay Bar Ranch
SEASON: July
Rocky Mountain Bride:
VENUE: Mackay Bar Ranch
FLOWERS: South Fork Flowers
PHOTOGRAPHER: Autumn Lynne Photography
CAKE: Mackay Bar Ranch
SEASON: June
Beth & Tyler:
VENUE: Mackay Bar Ranch
FLOWERS: LeAnne’s Flower Shop
PHOTOGRAPHER: Haley Nord Photography
CAKE: Mackay Bar Ranch
SEASON: August
Chad & Diana:
VENUE: Mackay Bar Ranch
FLOWERS: LeAnne’s Flower Shop
PHOTOGRAPHER: Cimbalik Photography
CAKE: Mackay Bar Ranch
SEASON: July
Accommodations
Guest Cabins
Mackay Bar Ranch hosts three private guest cabins: Bear, Bugle and Elkhorn cabin all sleep 2-5 guests each. Each cabin has a private bathroom with shower. One queen bed and one single are on the main floor along with two single beds in the loft.
Guest Rooms
Mackay Bar has four private guest rooms: Flossie Lake, Sheepeater Lake, Cutthroat Lake, and Fish Lake rooms, all sleep 2 guests each and have their own private bathroom with shower. Three rooms have two twin beds each and one room has a queen bed. These rooms are conveniently located next to the lodge on the lower level of the Cougar Den.
River Suite
Mackay Bar’s newest addition to their collection of guest accommodations is the newly renovated Cougar Den River Suite. This suite sleeps 2-6 guests and is perched above the rest of the ranch, with a birds eye view of the river and grounds. The Cougar Den has two bedrooms – each with one queen and one single bed. A sitting area, front porch and full bathroom makes the Cougar Den River Suite the place to hang!
Deluxe Wall Tents
Sitting at the Rivers edge, two seasonal deluxe wall tents offer glamping accommodations unparalleled to any other on the river. The Steelhead Suite sleeps 2 with one queen bed. The Wolf Den sleeps 3 with one queen and one single bed. Guests can utilize the outhouse nearby. Outdoor showers and indoor lodge bathrooms can also accommodate those staying in the wall tents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Due to limited satellite internet in Idaho’s backcountry, internet can be added to your reservations in advance, at an additional price. A WiFi phone is available for brief phone calls, by request (at no additional cost).
We often have beach bonfires, however, if the weather conditions are dry and hot, fire restrictions may not allow us to have a beach bonfire as it would not be safe.
Additional costs would include staff gratuities and alcohol or any specialty drinks. State sales and lodging tax along with a $4 pp/day federal river use fee. Mackay Bar can work with you to transport all specialty drinks to the ranch in advance at a reduced boat trip fee.
Mackay Bar highly recommends lifeflight if traveling anywhere remote. In case of emergencies, the Ranch office does have spot emergency devices and internet capabilities to immediately call out and request life flight. For less serious injuries, an emergency boat ride can be made.
You can choose between the beach, yard, as well as the boat to say your “I dos”. This can be decided prior to or once at the Ranch.
24/7 power is supplied by a hydro system. Supplemental power is provided by generators when needed (so items such as blow dryers and curling irons can only be ran when the generator is going). All rooms have indoor plumbing. Fishing poles, beach chairs, and yard games are available to guests.
Part of the experience is our primitive dinners and meals. We unfortunately do not cater to dietary concerns but do offer plenty of food choices and portions (hors d’oeuvres, salads, breads, meats, fresh greens and desserts). Your guests will not go hungry! If there is a severe dietary concern, please let us know in advance, we will adjust the menu accordingly.
Please visit our Meals page for your menu options. All meals are prepared by the Mackay Bar Ranch private staff, using seasonal ingredients. All meals will be planned in advance by you and Mackay Bar prior to arrival.
We do provide a small, simple cake (provided by a local wedding artist). Your guests will enjoy cupcakes or cake balls. Or, you may choose handmade seasonal pies that can be substituted for an additional cost.
