Middle Fork of the Salmon River

Idaho

Salmon-Challis National Forest
Middle Fork Ranger District
Post Office Box 750
Challis, Idaho 83226

Designated Reach: October 2, 1968. From its origin to its confluence with the Main Salmon River.

Classification/Mileage: Wild — 103.0 miles; Recreational — 1.0 mile; Total — 104.0 miles.

The River

One of the original eight rivers in the nation designated as Wild and Scenic on October 2, 1968, the Middle Fork of the Salmon River originates 20 miles northwest of Stanley, Idaho, with the merging of Bear Valley and Marsh Creeks. The designated segment extends 100 miles from Dagger Falls to the confluence of the Middle Fork and the Main Salmon. The river traverses northeast through the heart of Idaho and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, flowing through a canyon that is the third deepest in North America. The Middle Fork is one of the last free flowing tributaries of the Salmon River system. Because of its remote location, man's presence in the area was somewhat limited, leaving it in the condition we see today. Only a few trails, landing strips, private ranches, and Forest Service stations are evidence of man's intrusion.

While man's impact on the area has been relatively light, it has been diverse. The Native Americans who occupied the Middle Fork drainage were known as The Sheepeaters. They gained their name from the bighorn sheep that were prevalent in the area and constituted much of their diet. White trappers, miners and settlers began coming into the area in the 1850's. No road access was ever built, and all supplies came in by horseback. Floating the river began in the 20's with a few adventurous souls who wanted to see beyond the rock wall canyon at Big Creek where the trail ended.

Wildlife along the Middle Fork river is abundant due to the designation and isolation of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The river moves through a variety of climates and land types, from alpine forest to high mountain desert to sheer rock walled canyon, creating a wide variety of habitats. Deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, bear and cougar are just a few of the animals to make the area their home. The Middle Fork drainage was one of the sites for the wolf reintroduction program. The fishery is one of the best catch and release fly fisheries in the nation.

The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness occupies part of an extensive geological formation known as the Idaho Batholith. This formation, mainly granite, has been severely eroded, exposing underlying rock formations laid down during the Precambrian, Permian, Triassic, and Cretaceous periods.

Recreation Opportunities

The Middle Fork is now an internationally recognized white water/wilderness float trip. Known for its rugged scenic beauty, quiet isolation, crystal clear water and the challenge of its whitewater, it is floated by more than 10,000 people each summer. Class III - IV+ rapids offer boating excitement for both families and hard-core adventure types. Hiking from the river campsites offers a taste of the wilderness experience, and you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the past and present inhabitants.

The floating activity on the Middle Fork is managed and regulated to preserve the pristine character of the area and experience. Permits to float the river are required all year. The highest use is from June 1 through September 3. This is known as the control season, and permits for this time are allocated through a computerized lottery. During the rest of year, permits are issued on a first-come/first-served call-in basis, starting in the October before the floating season. Fire pans, porta-pottys, ash containers, shovels, buckets and strainers are required equipment to float the river during any season. Leave no trace, pack-in, pack-out is the camping ethic mandatory to all camping in the corridor and throughout the entire wilderness. During high use periods, campsites are assigned to boaters at the launch sites.

Historic cabins and mining operations along the river are a testimony to the hard life that faced anyone brave enough to live in such an isolated area. Many of the sites are intact and can make for a history lesson to those who want to stop.

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.