Lottery8/10
Main Salmon
River of No Return. 79 miles of wilderness....
View Main Salmon River permit details and availability
LotteryRiver AccessVery High Demand
Middle Fork Salmon River
America's premier wilderness rafting adventure—100 miles of continuous whitewater, natural hot springs, and untouched Idaho wilderness through the largest roadless area in the Lower 48.
“Raft 100 miles through America's largest wilderness, dropping nearly 3,000 feet through over 100 rapids, natural hot springs, and canyons deeper than the Grand Canyon.”
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Middle Fork Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodLottery
Demand LevelExtremely High9/10
Cost$6/person/day (permit fee)
Max Group Size24 people
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeRiver Access
Booking MethodLottery
Demand Level9/10
LocationWSR
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
100 miles
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
6-8 days
Difficulty
ExpertElevation Range
2,700 - 5,600 ft
Highlights
- •100 miles over 6-8 days through America's largest wilderness area
- •Over 100 rapids, mostly Class III with several Class IV
- •Multiple natural hot springs for soaking
- •Blue-ribbon catch-and-release fly fishing for native cutthroat
- •Complete wilderness—no roads, no cell service, no resupply
- •Campsites assigned at launch—limited choice
Best Time to Visit
June for high water and big rapids. July-August for warmer weather and more relaxed rapids. September for lowest crowds and technical low-water experience. All times offer excellent fishing.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Class III-IV whitewater—experience required
- !Cold water—hypothermia risk especially early season
- !Remote location—evacuation by helicopter only
- !Recent landslides have created new hazards—check current conditions
- !Wildlife—bears, rattlesnakes present
- !Flash floods possible in side canyons during monsoon season
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Verify your email and add payment info ahead of time.
2
If unsuccessful, monitor cancellations
Permits get cancelled daily. Peak cancellation times are 24-48 hours before the trip date.
3
Set up PermitSnag alerts
Get instant notifications when cancellations happen. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
When to Go
Peak: Summer monthsShoulder: Spring and Fall
Conditions
Summer offers the most reliable conditions for most wilderness areas.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Longest days
- +Warmest temperatures
- +Reliable trail conditions
Challenges
- !Peak demand for permits
- !Book accommodations early
- !Weather varies
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill5/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk4/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment5/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Experienced whitewater rafters or kayakers with multi-day river trip experience.
Recommended Experience
Should have completed Class III+ river trips and have multi-day rafting expedition experience. Self-support skills essential.
Not Recommended For
First-time rafters or those without Class III+ experience.
About This Permit
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River is a 100-mile wilderness rafting expedition through the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness in central Idaho. The river drops nearly 3,000 feet from Boundary Creek to its confluence with the Main Salmon, featuring over 100 rapids ranging from Class II to Class IV.
Permits are highly competitive and distributed via lottery for the 'control season' (late May through early September). Most trips take 6 days, though some groups extend to 8 days for more fishing and hiking.
The Experience
Why It Matters
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River is widely considered the finest multi-day whitewater rafting trip in the United States. It flows through the heart of the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness—the largest roadless area in the contiguous states. The combination of continuous Class III-IV rapids, pristine wilderness, natural hot springs, and native cutthroat trout has made it a bucket-list destination for river runners worldwide.
The Route
The journey begins at Boundary Creek, where the river is narrow and technical. Early miles feature continuous Class III rapids that set the tone. By mile 7, Velvet Falls demands attention—a major drop that has been altered by recent landslides.
The middle section brings the famous natural hot springs: Sunflower at mile 32, with its waterfall shower cascading into soaking pools; Loon Creek at mile 48, requiring a hike to reach massive rock-walled pools.
The lower canyon intensifies. Tappan Falls at mile 57 provides thrills before the river enters Impassable Canyon—where granite walls rise over 3,000 feet and rapids like Haystack and Bernard Creek demand respect. The final miles mellow as the river prepares to meet the Main Salmon at Cache Bar.
The Feeling
Each morning begins with the roar of rapids. You launch into a river that hasn't changed since Lewis and Clark's time—no roads, no cell towers, no sign of modern life beyond your group. By day three, you've forgotten what day it is. By day five, you've soaked in natural hot springs, caught native cutthroat trout, and learned the river's rhythm. The granite walls of Impassable Canyon rise 3,000 feet above you, and you understand why they call this the River of No Return.
Trailhead Information
Boundary Creek
5,600 ft elevationPrimary put-in for the Middle Fork. Long dirt road access from Stanley.
Restrooms
Water Available
No Service
Parking
Primitive camping and parking for permit holders. Very remote.
Getting There
From Stanley, approximately 2.5 hours on dirt roads (FR 568). High clearance recommended.
Nearest Services
Stanley (50+ miles) has limited services. Sun Valley/Ketchum for full services.
Cache Bar
2,700 ft elevationTake-out point near confluence with Main Salmon.
Restrooms
Water Available
No Service
Parking
Shuttle required—cannot drive from put-in to take-out directly.
Getting There
Accessible via long dirt roads from Salmon, Idaho. Most groups arrange commercial shuttle.
Nearest Services
Salmon, Idaho (2+ hours) has full services.
Rules & Regulations
- •Permit required year-round (Four Rivers Lottery for control season)
- •Lottery applications accepted December 1 - January 31 for summer season
- •Maximum group size of 24 people
- •Campsites assigned by ranger at Boundary Creek (round-robin selection)
- •Catch-and-release only for fishing
- •All human waste must be carried out (groover system required)
- •Fire pans required for any fires
Gear Checklist
Required
- Rafts, oars, and appropriate whitewater equipment
- Human waste carry-out system ('groover')
- Fire pan and ash carry-out container
- Strainer and water filtration system
- First aid kit with wilderness medical supplies
- Dry bags for all gear
Recommended
- Wet suits or dry suits for early season (water is COLD)
- Fly fishing gear (catch-and-release)
- Camp chairs and kitchen setup
- Satellite communicator (no cell service)
- Swimsuits for hot springs
- Repair kit for rafts
Key Landmarks
Lottery Statistics
Competitive
estimated success rate
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Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
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🐻
Food Storage
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Middle Fork FAQ
How do I get a Middle Fork permit?
Middle Fork permits are obtained through a lottery system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
When is the best time to visit Middle Fork?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Middle Fork permit?
This permit has a demand score of 9/10, making it extremely competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Middle Fork permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunrise from river camps in Impassable Canyon captures light hitting the massive granite walls. Hot springs at golden hour offer atmospheric shots.
Best Light
Canyon light is best mid-morning when sun penetrates the narrow gorge. Rapids photograph best with action shots from shore or follow boat.
Beat the Crowds
June launches see fewer groups but higher, colder water. Late August/September has lower water but more technical rapids and fewer crowds.
Classic Shots
- 📍Raft running major rapids like Tappan Falls
- 📍Sunflower Hot Springs with shower waterfall
- 📍Impassable Canyon granite walls towering above river
- 📍Native cutthroat trout (catch-and-release only)
- 📍Camp setup on pristine beach
- 📍Wildlife (bighorn sheep, elk, bears commonly spotted)
Can't Get a Middle Fork Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Main Salmon River
Same AreaThe 'River of No Return' proper—79 miles of wilderness rafting with more beach camping and bigger volume rapids.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Easier lottery odds. Different character—bigger water, more beaches, less technical.
Selway River
Similar ExperienceAnother Idaho wilderness river with even more limited permits and a shorter, more intense experience.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Most limited permits in Idaho. Shorter trip but more continuous whitewater.
Commercial Trip
Easier AlternativeOutfitters hold separate permit allocations. Book directly with licensed outfitters.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
No lottery hassle but significant cost. Guides handle all logistics.
Other Idaho Rivers Permits
Consider these alternatives or add them to your tracking list