The Salmon-Challis National Forest covers over 4.3 million acres in east-central Idaho. Included within the boundaries of the Forest is 1.3 million acres of the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness Area, the largest wilderness area in the Continental United States. Rugged and remote, this country offers adventure, solitude and breathtaking scenery. The Forest also contains Borah Peak, Idaho’s tallest peak, the Wild & Scenic Salmon. River and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The area is a highly desired destination for hunting, fishing, white-water rafting and many other popular recreational pursuits. The Salmon River continues to carve deeper into the rock, creating canyons with depths of 5,000 feet. The whitewater serpent beckons whitewater lovers from all over the world to descend these raging waters.
The erosion and exposure of Idaho Batholite formed the ridges of the Lost River Range. Rock climbers can scale a labyrinth of sheer rock walls and crags. Hikers can explore over 1,200 miles of trails, half of which penetrate remote reaches of wilderness beneath a canopy of ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, western larch, grand fir and alpine larch.
Recreation
The Salmon-Challis National Forest has camping available in 34 developed campgrounds. Dispersed or backcountry camping is permitted in most areas of the Forest. Campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can fill quickly on summer holiday weekends. There are also five A-frame and cabin rentals available on the Salmon-Challis. The Salmon and Middle Fork Rivers are known as the “Whitewater Capital of the World”. Trips can be arranged privately or through a liscenced outfitter.
Over 2,050 miles of trails traverse the Forest, almost half of which are in Wilderness. Hiking season is usually between April and October, with elevations above 7,500 feet usually clear of snow by early July. Many non-wilderness trails are designated for motorized use.
Most streams and lakes on the Forest are home to trout. Mackay Reservoir offers good fishing for kokanee salmon.
Traveler Facts
Contact Information
Salmon-Challis National Forest
RR2 Box 600
Salmon, ID 83467
Phone: 208-756-5100
Weather/Climate
The weather in the Salmon-Challis National Forest varies tremendously with location and elevation. Summers tend to bring clear days, with afternoon thunderstorms possible. Daytime highs are normally warm to moderate, with relatively cool to cold nights, depending on elevation. Winter can bring cold temperatures with heavy snows, especially at the high elevations. Sunny days are common between winter storms.
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