SEASONAL: JUNE – SEPTEMBER
ATV FROM DIXIE IDAHO TO MACKAY BAR RANCH (YOUR STAY INCLUDES OUR HISTORICAL JET BOAT TOUR)
OUR ATV-IN LODGE STAY PACKAGE at Mackay Bar Ranch brings high adventure to your group. You’ll start out making the trek to Dixie Idaho where you’ll haul your ATVs. Next you’ll unload and begin your second arm of the adventure toward Mackay Bar Ranch along the F.S. Trail #222 approximate 26 miles to the Salmon River below.
Together, we coordinate, plan and craft your group’s exclusive stay fun activities that can include fishing, jet boat tours, hikes, and wildlife sightings.
Spend quiet time with friends on the beach, soaking in some warm sunshine and swimming. Spoil yourself with a good book and a nap before dinner.
At nightfall, starry skies and the soft lull of the river flowing by, offer the perfect backdrop for the warm, cozy camp fire, roasted marshmallows, your favorite beverages and the tales that are shared among you.
Whats included in the ATV package:
- 2 Nights Lodging included
- Jet Boat tour and all guided activities is included on second day.
- Accommodations include 3 cabins, 4 private rooms and a two bedroom river suite – enough lodging to host 24 guests depending on time of year and your group makeup
- Minimum 14 guests required (or cost of 14 guests) as well as a 2 night minimum stay
- Includes a 4 PM (MST) check in on Day 1 and a 10 AM check out on your last day
- All Meals are provided.
Sample Itinerary for 2 night stay
4 PM : After your group makes their way to Dixie, Idaho, unloads their ATVs and explores Idaho’s Gospel Hump Wilderness Corridor as they wind their way down to the Salmon River (traveling over 26 miles), all of you will arrive at Mackay Bar Ranch to get settled into your riverfront lodging accommodations!
5 PM : Have cocktails on the beach or the covered patio
7 PM : Mackay Bar will cater all meals.
9 PM : Meet on the beach for bonfire and smores!
9 AM : Breakfast back at Mackay Bar Lodge . . . rehash fish stories and tales along the trail!
10 AM : Jet Boat and white water adventure! Load the boats and head upriver for a full day jet boat tour. We will stop along the way for a sack lunch, ice cream at Buckskin Bills Museum, historical reminiscing at Painter Mine over days gone by, take a quick hike up to Campbell’s Ferry and numerous more sites that provide conversation and great memories!
7 PM : Your group will meet back at Mackay Bar’s riverfront Lodge for dinner and drinks.
9 PM : Meet on the beach for bonfire and smores!
9 AM : Breakfast at Mackay Bar Lodge
10 AM : Load the ATVs and make your way back to Dixie via Forest Service Trail #222, exploring sites along the way (or picking huckleberries!)
Plan Your Trip:
Guests can unload ATVs or side by sides at Dixie Guard Station. Once unloaded, you will follow the clearly marked Forest Service Trail #222 all the way to the Salmon River Breaks where you will then begin to descent down into the River Canyon. Once at the River, you will cross the Mackay Bar Bridge and make your way over to Mackay Bar Ranch! When coming and going from Dixie, ID, most guests choose to overnight in either McCall, ID (2 hour drive from Boise) or Riggins, ID (3 hour drive from Boise). Stay at Mackay Bar Ranch and then take in more exciting adventures in Central Idaho pre or post to your Salmon River trip such as a thrilling one day jet boat tour in Hells Canyon or visit McCall, Idaho and enjoy their many lakes, shopping, spas, hot springs, and forest trails.
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!
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. A limited selection of wine is available for purchase at the ranch. Guests are welcome to bring their own drinks.
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.
All meals are cooked in our Main Lodge and served in our Lodge or outside on the patio overlooking the river. All menu items are prepared at time of booking so please let us know if you have any severe food allergies. Please review our MEALS page for more details.
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.