This Is Our Story
NOMAD WHITEWATER ADVENTURES was born from a simple idea: that the river is best experienced when we share it. What started as a dream to bring people together on the Main Salmon River has grown into a full-fledged outfitting company committed to creating unforgettable adventures.
For us, rafting isn’t just about the thrill of rapids — it’s about the friendships forged around a riverside campfire, the knowledge passed down about wilderness and whitewater, and the moments that stay with you long after the trip ends.
Nomad was built to make those experiences possible for anyone who’s ready to step into the canyon and discover what makes the Salmon so special.
● Nomad Whitewater Adventures
Meet the Founders
WE ARE dreamers and adventure chasers living the life we were designed to navigate.
Braden Hanson
CO-FounderI’VE SPENT MY LIFE chasing rivers and the experiences they create. Before starting Nomad, I guided multi-day expeditions, trained new guides, and served as a trip lead and instructor at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC. My background isn’t just in rowing boats — it’s in teaching others how to thrive in the wilderness, stay safe on the water, and find joy in adventure.
I founded Nomad Whitewater Adventures because I believe adventure is better when it’s shared. My passion comes from seeing guests light up as they paddle their first rapid, hike to a hidden view, or swap stories under a star-filled Idaho sky. Every trip is an opportunity to blend safety, fun, and discovery — and I’m proud to share that with each person who joins us.
Crispin & Carmin McDonald
CO-FOUNDERSOPERATING A RIVER OUTFITTER in Western Idaho with our family is a dream come true. We spent our childhoods on the waters of the AuSable and St. Lawrence rivers as well as in the Great Lakes, but nothing we experienced growing up in the outdoors of Michigan and upstate New York compares to the beauty we discovered in the Idaho wilderness! In 2020, while most of the world was shutting down during the Pandemic, our adventure was just beginning. Our son was determined to spend a semester in high school studying in Idaho, so in January 2021, we traveled to Idaho for the first time. Our family instantly fell in love with all that the Idaho wilderness has to offer and has made it our goal to provide others with the same opportunity. We are certain that once you experience the Idaho wilderness with Nomad, you, too, will fall in love!
Nomad is a local, family-owned business that prides itself on hiring the very best guides with the skills and experience necessary to give our guests the best experience possible. Come on a trip with us and see for yourself all that Idaho, the Salmon River, and Nomad have to offer!