Winding 100 miles through the heart of the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness, the Middle Fork of the Salmon River is widely considered the crown jewel of American whitewater. The journey begins in high-alpine forests at nearly 6,000 feet, plunging through over 100 rapids—including famous drops like Velvet Falls and Tappan Falls—as the landscape shifts into dramatic, sheer-walled granite canyons. Beyond the adrenaline of Class III-IV whitewater, the river is world-renowned for its crystal-clear water, frequent sightings of bighorn sheep, and numerous riverside natural hot springs.
Snapshot
Important information for this section of river
Quick Links
Create An Alert For This River
Current Availability
The following dates have one or more sites available
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Last checked 1 minute ago
Water Level
FAQ: What's the current water level for Middle Fork Salmon River?
492 CFS
Adjust the graph period to view water levels over time
Create a free account for water level trends, CFS alerts, and more.
Already have an account?
FAQ: What's the ideal range for this section of river?
700 – 10,000 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
Permit Details
A permit is required year-round to float the Middle Fork of the Salmon, from Dagger Falls and Boundary Creek to Cache Bar. The lottery control season runs May 28 through September 3, with a maximum of seven launches per day. Lottery applications are accepted on Recreation.gov from December 1 through January 31; results are released February 14 and must be confirmed by March 15. Unclaimed and cancelled control-season dates are released at 8 AM Mountain Time on March 16, and later cancellations are released randomly within 24 hours. Pre- and post-season launch dates open first-come, first-served on October 1 at 8 AM Mountain Time for the following year.
Middle Fork Salmon River Guides
Common Questions
What paddlers most often want to know about Middle Fork Salmon River.
How do I get a permit for the Middle Fork of the Salmon River?
Middle Fork Salmon permits are awarded through a Recreation.gov lottery: apply December 1 through January 31 for launches in the May 28 – September 3 control season, with results on February 14. Unclaimed and cancelled dates are released at 8:00 AM Mountain Time on March 16, and later cancellations reappear randomly within 24 hours. A permit is required year-round; pre- and post-season dates open first-come, first-served on October 1 at 8:00 AM Mountain Time for the following year.
How many days does a Middle Fork Salmon River trip take?
The classic Middle Fork Salmon trip from Boundary Creek to Cache Bar covers 100 miles through the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness, typically completed in 5–7 days. Most groups average 15–20 miles per day depending on flows.
What class of rapids does the Middle Fork of the Salmon have?
The Middle Fork Salmon features over 100 rapids ranging from Class I to Class V, including landmark drops like Velvet Falls and Tappan Falls. The overall character is Class III–IV with a few Class V moves, and the continuous nature of the run demands consistent paddling skill throughout.
Are there hot springs on the Middle Fork Salmon River?
Yes — the Middle Fork Salmon is famous for its accessible riverside hot springs, including Loon Creek Hot Springs, Shower Bath Hot Springs, and several unnamed soaks accessible directly from camp. Hot springs are a defining part of the Middle Fork experience.
What is the ideal flow range for the Middle Fork Salmon River?
The Middle Fork Salmon is runnable from roughly 700 to 10,000 CFS. Flows of 1,500–4,000 CFS are generally considered ideal — providing excellent Class III–IV action through the major rapids while keeping the river technically interesting but not overwhelmingly powerful.
Weather Forecast
What's the daily forecast at the put-in for Middle Fork Salmon River?