One of the premier multi-day wilderness river trips in the United States, flowing through the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness. Features continuous rapids, hot springs, sandy beaches, and exceptional solitude.
Snapshot
Important information for this section of river
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Water Level
FAQ: What's the current water level for Main Salmon River?
3,230 CFS
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FAQ: What's the ideal range for this section of river?
2,000 – 23,000 CFS
Rapids
Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
No rapids logged yet for this river.
Boat Launches
Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
No boat launches logged yet for this river.
Camps
Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
No camps logged yet for this river.
Outfitters
3 loggedCommunity-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
- Barker River Trips4.9Shuttle ServiceGuided Trips
3976 21st St, Lewiston, ID 83501, USA
View on Google Maps - Sawtooth Transportation
Offers transportation from Boise, or vehicle shuttles for the Salmon River, Middle Fork of the Salmon, Snake River in Hells Canyon, and Payette River
Shuttle Service
Key Dates
Here are some key dates to remember for Main Salmon River.
Jun 20 – Sep 7
Peak season requiring permits allocated through lottery system
Permit Details
Permits are required year-round for individuals wishing to float the Wild section of the Salmon River, which extends from Corn Creek to Long Tom Bar. The lottery control season extends from June 20 through September 7. Reservations for pre/post season launch dates open around October 1 at 8 AM Mountain Time
Common Questions
What paddlers most often want to know about Main Salmon River.
Do I need a permit to float the Main Salmon River from Corn Creek to Carey Creek?
Yes — a permit from Recreation.gov is required year-round for the Wild section of the Main Salmon River from Corn Creek to Long Tom Bar. The lottery control season runs June 20 through September 7; reservations for pre- and post-season dates open around October 1 at 8:00 AM Mountain Time.
What class of rapids does the Main Salmon River have?
The Main Salmon runs Class II–IV, with the most significant rapids being Salmon Falls, Gunbarrel, and Pine Creek — powerful, technical drops set in the heart of the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness.
How long is the Main Salmon River trip from Corn Creek to Carey Creek?
The classic Main Salmon trip from Corn Creek to Carey Creek covers approximately 79 miles through the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness, typically run over 5–7 days with outstanding riverside camping throughout.
What is the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness?
The Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness is the largest contiguous wilderness area in the contiguous United States, encompassing 2.3 million acres of central Idaho. The Main Salmon River runs through its heart, offering complete roadless solitude for the entire length of the trip.
What are the ideal flow levels for the Main Salmon River?
The Main Salmon runs well from 2,000 to 23,000 CFS. Flows of 3,000–8,000 CFS are considered ideal — providing solid Class III–IV action at major rapids while keeping the quieter stretches enjoyable and the river readable.
Weather Forecast
What's the daily forecast at the put-in for Main Salmon River?