The first known outsiders into the Middle Fork drainage came in the 1830’s when trappers tried to find beaver in the river and side creeks with little success. The area was quiet for awhile then mining exploration began in the 1860’s, and gold was discovered on Panther Creek in 1866. From this time there were mining settlements created near many existing native fishing camps, including one on Loon Creek. This mining camp built the current hot tub at the hot spring on Loon Creek.  Prospectors were widely dispersed, searching for gold up any creek they could find. A fun read about this period of history is ‘Thunder Mountain’ by Zane Grey, the author who created the genre we know today as the Western.  (See further reading.)

Homesteaders:
Some successful mining operations began to attract more settlers and people interested in homesteading on free land from the government. In the Middle Fork most homesteads were established later in the 1890’s and into the early decades of the twentieth century. It was not legal to homestead in the Idaho territory until after 1906 but many people squatted in anticipation of filing for a homestead prior to this time. After 1906 people could get 160 acres for agriculture land in the newly established national forest. Most of these sections were given out between1920-1930. At this time many people grazed sheep and some cattle on their land. Families moved in and out of the canyon and many were there through the 1960’s.

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Geology | Wildlife | Plant Life

Native People | Early Settlers & Homesteads | Boating History