Middle Fork Salmon River

The Middle Fork Salmon River winds for about 105 miles through the heart of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in central Idaho. It begins at the confluence of Bear Valley Creek and Marsh Creek northwest of Stanley and flows undammed from alpine forests across open high-mountain desert into the sheer granite walls of Impassable Canyon, one of the deepest gorges in North America. The landscape shifts dramatically, framed by crystal-clear water and vast remote terrain. Recreationally it ranks among the most sought-after destinations: multi-day rafting and kayaking trips featuring numerous technical Class III to IV+ rapids, catch-and-release fly fishing for native cutthroat trout, riverside and side-canyon hiking, and soaking in natural hot springs combine into an intense wilderness experience far from any civilization.