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Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness

The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area

 

In The Frank Church Wilderness River of No Return Area, we can still experience the true Western Frontier, where the vastness of wild untouched nature remains alive all around you. In “The Frank,” the liberating, regenerative power of Solitude still holds its full meaning. Here, the wolves and elk make their gruff peace, the otter and trout find balance, and the birds return to a reputable oasis from during their exhausting migrations.

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River lies within a 2.3 million acre area designated as The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. In this Wilderness area lies the most remote (and one of the most rugged) parts of the contiguous United States. When we enter this area, we are stepping into a western Eden as only the first human explorers know it – no roads and the only society is what we chose to bring.

Idaho Senator Frank Church, one of the namesakes of Idaho’s Wilderness designation, was the Senate floor sponsor for The Wilderness Act of 1964. In 1968, he introduced the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which included the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, so that rivers “shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.”

 

a watercolor painting of a middle fork salmon river drift boat
the Frank Church River Of No Return Wilderness
Milky Way over the Middle Fork
bighorn sheep grazing in the grass next to the middle fork salmon river in the heart of the frank church river of no return wilderness area

Wildlife and Geography

The Middle Fork is one of the healthiest trout fisheries in the world. In addition to offering world-class Salmon River fly fishing and Idaho whitewater rafting, amazing biodiversity stems from this healthy ecological environment. The Middle Fork Canyon is one of the most important remaining environments for many species, including Wolf, Cougar, Lynx, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats, Bobcat, Badger, River Otter, Elk, and Mule Deer. Birds such as Bald and Golden Eagles, Ouzel, Grouse, Chukar, Great Horned Owls, Red Tail Hawk, Osprey, Swallows will fly overhead, and countless cute songbirds will wake you if you are late for breakfast.

Idaho has many flattering nomenclatures, such as ‘The White Water State’ and ‘The Wilderness State.’  Idaho’s first geological surveyors claimed that if you flattened out all of the terrain features in Idaho, it would be bigger than Texas. “The Frank,” as this Wilderness area is endearingly called, lives up to all of these reputations, and the Middle Fork provides a spectacular profile of its wonders. Floating along with the flow of the river is the most comfortable way to experience this incredible river canyon.

The Middle Fork of “The River of No Return”

The Middle Fork is the largest tributary of the Main Salmon River, which is the largest tributary of the Snake, which is the largest tributary of the Columbia, which is the largest North American tributary of the largest Ocean (the Pacific) in the world!

The Middle Fork is over 116 miles long (with no dams) and descends over 4,000ft in elevation. As it grows from a tumbling creek to a mighty river, the Middle Fork is fed by runoff from spectacular mountain ranges such as The Sawtooths, Pistol Ridge, The Bighorn Crags, The Tango Peaks, and the Yellow Jacket Mountains.

A spectacular part of the Middle Fork is how much the geology, wildlife, vegetation, and size of the river changes as you descend from the top of the canyon all the way to the confluence with the Main Salmon. This ecological diversity makes Rafting the Middle Fork Salmon River one of the most unique river experiences in the world.

Middle Fork of the Salmon River Flowing through the frank church river of no return wilderness
rafting through the impassible canyon on the middle fork of the salmon river

The Impassable Canyon

Idaho’s Salmon River holds the second deepest river canyon – surpassing the Grand Canyon in vertical relief – and second only to Hell’s Canyon on the border of Idaho and Oregon. The Impassable Canyon is the deepest section of the Middle Fork, where the river has carved the steepest canyon section into the ancient granite bedrock of the Idaho batholith.

The Impassable Canyon is characterized by sheer cliff walls that rise up thousands of feet before dropping straight down to the river banks. Our camps in the Impassable Canyon are hemmed in by majestic granite amphitheaters and are often visited by Bighorn Sheep and the occasional Mountain Goat that can be spotted high on the cliff walls.

Hot Springs

Geothermal activity emerges all over Idaho. In fact, the whole state has traveled right over the top of Yellowstone caldera. These thermic springs spout steaming hot and healthy mineral waters out of mother nature’s elegant cracks and crevices. Take a break from fishing and rafting for some complete relaxation and rejuvenation while basking in these natural springs.

watercolor of a log on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
Daisy Tappan's cabin on the middle fork of the salmon river in the heart of the frank church river of no return wilderness area

History

The Middle Fork is rich with human history and fascinating characters. The Sheepeater Indians, pioneers, miners, hunters, hermits, murderers, victims of the gruesome frontier, pioneer feminists, and wilderness guides have all left their legendary mark on this rugged area. Our guides are enthusiasts of lore, and love stopping to share an old mine, cabin, cave, or mystery.

Pictographs

One of the most interesting things to explore in the Middle Fork canyon are the pictographs left by the relatively unrevealed Sheepeater people. Part of the Shoshone-Bannock tribe, the Tukudeka (sheepeater) people consider the Middle Fork of the Salmon River Canyon their home. Many of the drawings are a mystery even to modern anthropology; with the slightest application of imagination, their eccentric meaning ignites before your eyes.

releasing a fish on a middle fork salmon river fly fishing trip

Salmon River Ecosystem

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River holds one of the strongest populations of wild West Slope Cutthroat Trout. The Cutthroat Trout is a very fragile species and has suffered massive habitat loss due to overfishing and environmental changes. The Middle Fork has been a stronghold for this incredible species primarily for two reasons: (1) Idaho Fish and Game’s single barbless hook, catch and release policy that has been in place since 1973, and (2) the protection of the Middle Fork from logging, mining, and other human impact on the river environment due to the Idaho Wilderness Act, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and the Wilderness Act.

Where is the Middle Fork of the Salmon River?

Located in central Idaho north of Stanley and the Salmon River Mountains

Our Trips 

summer fly fishing in a wooden drift boat on the middle fork of the salmon river in idaho

Middle Fork Salmon Fly Fishing |

Our professional, Orvis Endorsed fishing guides will show you why the Middle Fork is a world renowned fly fishery.

Duration

6 days/5 nights

Dates

Late June – Sept

$4950

per angler

rafters enjoying the summer weather on the middle fork of the salmon river.

Middle Fork Salmon Rafting |

Our professional river guides will show you why the Middle Fork is one of the world’s premier multi-day whitewater adventures.

Duration

6 days/5 nights

Dates

June – September

From $3250

per person

“What a blessing to be on a world class rafting and fishing river that is almost exactly as it was when the white man first stumbled across it — no roads, houses, billboards, trails of any kind — only the gorgeous sounds and sights and smells of nature.”

Paul O.

Texas

Contact Details

Solitude River Trips

P.O. Box 696 |  Salmon, ID 83467
+1 (208) 806-1218
solitude@rivertrips.com

           Orvis Endorsed since 2003

salmon river float trips