Salmon River

Idaho

Salmon-Challis National Forest
North Fork Ranger District
Box 180
North Fork, Idaho 83466

Designated Reach: July 23, 1980. The segment of the main stem from the mouth of the North Fork of the Salmon River downstream to Long Tom Bar.

Classification/Mileage: Wild — 79.0 miles; Recreational — 46.0 miles; Total — 125.0 miles.

The River

Known as "The River of No Return," the Salmon River is the longest free flowing river (425 miles) within one state in the lower 48. It originates in the Sawtooth and Lemhi Valleys of central and eastern Idaho, and snows from the Sawtooth and Salmon River Mountains in the south, and the Clearwater and Bitterroot Mountains in the north, feed this wild river. The upper section passes through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, while the lower section forms the southern boundary of the Gospel-Hump Wilderness.

The Salmon flows through a vast wilderness in the second deepest gorge on the continent. Only the Snake River (Hells) Canyon is deeper. The Salmon's granite-walled canyon is one-fifth of a mile deeper than the Grand Canyon. For approximately 180 miles, the Salmon Canyon is more than one mile deep. Largely due to this incredible wilderness, Congress designated 46 miles of the river, from North Fork to Corn Creek, as a recreational river and 79 miles, from Corn Creek to Long Tom Bar, as a wild river.

From North Fork to Corn Creek, the spectacular canyon of the Salmon River has exposed some of the oldest known rocks in the state of Idaho. In the vicinity of Shoup, these rocks, called gneiss, have been dated as 1.5 billion years old. From Corn Creek to Long Tom Bar, the majority of the rocks exposed in the canyon walls are part of the Idaho Batholith. These rocks are generally called quartz monzonite and are approximately 65 million years old. The canyon itself was formed 35 to 45 million years ago.

This rugged canyon provides habitat for an abundant and varied wildlife resource. Big game species commonly observed along the river include bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain goats, black bear, cougar, and moose. Small mammal populations also are well represented by species such as bobcat, coyote, red fox, porcupine, badger, beaver, mink, marten, river otter, muskrat, weasel, marmots and skunks. Waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds are particularly abundant during seasonal migrations. Chukar, partridge, blue grouse, ruffed grouse, and spruce grouse are also common residents.

The main stem of the Salmon River provides habitat for a variety of fish species. These include: cutthroat trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, mountain white fish, sockeye salmon, chinook salmon (spring/summer/fall run), steelhead, smallmouth bass, squawfish, sucker and sturgeon. The river offers high quality sportfishing for resident populations of cutthroat and rainbow trout, steelhead and whitefish.

Evidence suggests that man first inhabited the Salmon River country 8,000 years ago. White man came to the Salmon river in the very early 1800's following Lewis and Clark's 1805 expedition. There are several Native American and pioneer historical sites to visit along the river corridor. Many, such as the Jim Moore place, an early mining claim, are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Recreation Opportunities

For more than 150 years after the first white men came to this valley, only one-way trips down the Salmon River were possible due to its whitewater. In recent years, with the advent of power boats, skilled operators have been able to travel up river. Even today, however, this trip demands the best in skill, experience and equipment.

Since 1976, controlled permits have been required to float the river during the June 20 - September 7 period. Approximately 7000 people go down the corridor via float boat each summer through class I to class IV white water. The Salmon's abundant sandy beaches provide campsites to float groups throughout the summer and fall. Floaters are not the only recreationists to enjoy the canyon; hikers, horse packers and jet boaters all share in the Salmon River experience. The historical use of jetboats was recognized by Congress as an integral part of the transportation system on the Salmon River; therefore, provisions were made to continue powerboat use.

Permits are required for both float boats and jetboats on the wild section during the control period of June 20 - September 7. Permits for float boats are issued in a computer lottery in December and January of the previous year. Applications are available from the managing office. All floaters are required to carry fire pans, porta-pottys, ash containers, shovel, bucket, and food strainer. Leave No Trace and minimum-impact camping techniques are the required method of dealing with your overnight stay in the corridor. Jet boat permits are issued on a phone-in, first-come/first-served basis.

For More Information

• U.S. Forest Service Permit Application Page (For all 4 Idaho Permit rivers.)
• Payette National Forest
• Salmon-Challis National Forest
• Several outfitters also carry information on the Salmon River; if you would like to visit those sites, please search for them through your favorite search engine, or you can search through the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association.