100 miles of wilderness: The Middle Fork of the Salmon runs through the Frank Church River of no Return Wilderness area. This means that there is no road access to the river for the entire trip once you leave the put-in point at Boundary Creek. The only developments are homesteads that were in operation prior to the designation of the Wilderness area.  There are also a few pack bridges that cross the river and some back-country airstrips. 

Hot springs: There are numerous natural hot springs with large pools accessible from the river. Many of these can be reached easily from camps allowing for a relaxing soak in the evening. 

Fishing: The Middle Fork has large populations of cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. The best fishing is in mid to late summer when the water is clear and free from any sediment-laden snow runoff. All fishing is catch and release and those fishing must have a valid Idaho license. 

Wildlife: Since the Middle Fork runs through a large wilderness area the opportunities for wildlife viewing abound. It is not unusual to see black bears, river otter, big horn sheep, deer, eagles and hawks.  If you’re lucky you might also spot moose, mountain goats and even wolves. 

Geology: The Middle Fork was created largely by water erosion as opposed to glacial force, and so it offers a clean slice into the history of the rocks it runs through. The rocks exposed along the Middle Fork are a result of water activity over the past 100 million years and include; Idaho Batholith and Casto Pluton Granites and broken pieces of the Belt Sediments formed when the Idaho was along the coastline of North America. 

Indigenous History: Like many of Idaho’s rivers, the Middle Fork has been home to people for thousands of years.  It is estimated that people arrived to live along the Middle Fork anywhere between 8,000 and 12,000 years ago. The Mountain Shoshone resided in this drainage and have left enduring pictographs and pit house depressions at many sites near the water. 

Settler History/River exploration: Explorers and prospectors began investigating the Middle Fork drainage in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Settlers followed and established homesteads along the river in the early to mid 1900’s. There are still many cabin remains to see along the river, though fires have destroyed some. 

Glimpse at Fire Ecology: periodic fires drive Central Idaho ecosystems. The Middle Fork has experienced scattered fires over the past century as well. The most recent of these was in 2007. Such fires do change the landscape; they open areas for increased moose habitat and allow a plethora of wildflowers to flourish.

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Middle Fork Salmon Rafting | Whitewater Difficulty | Middle Fork Highlights