Recreation Region: Salmon River - Highway 95 Corridor

Salmon River / Highway 95 Corridor

The Salmon River/Highway 95 Corridor offers a wide range of recreation opportunities ranging from mushroom hunting to wilderness backpacking. The western boundary is formed by the Snake River, popularly known as "Hells Canyon" - the deepest gorge in North America. The Salmon River - often referred to as "The River of No Return" - forms the southern border before turning to the north and forming a central corridor to the Salmon River District.

The Salmon River District covers 449,309 acres (91,057 wilderness) of land. The highest point on the Forest, He Devil Peak, at 9,393 feet and lowest point at Jones Creek at Pittsburg Landing on the Snake River at 2,050 feet, are both in the District. The Clearwater Ranger District, within the Corridor, is the most accessible of the forest's districts. The entire northwest side of the district is the forest boundary bordering the Camas Prairie, a short distance from Grangeville. The district area encompasses approximately 220,000 acres. Initial access across the district was provided by the Nez Perce Trail, a primary Indian route between the Bitterroot and Clearwater valleys. The Milner Toll Road between Mount Idaho and Florence, was constructed around 1893. The toll road, now called Milner Trail, is a popular ATV trail.

Learn More about this Corridor

Road and Trail Status Reports

General Information

A river reservation permit to raft or kayak the main Salmon river can be obtained from the West Fork Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest at (406) 821-1211 or online at the Salmon-Challis NF web site.

Portions of this corridor are wilderness, please follow wilderness restrictions. This is rugged wild country with no cell phone service.

Getting There

Elevation

9393 feet

Directions

From the east end of Grangeville turn south on the Grangeville-Salmon Road #221. The road is paved to Boulder Creek (milepost 36.6). From Riggins leave Highway 95 near the south city limits. Cross the Little Salmon River and follow the Salmon River Road #1614 to milepost 9.7. Turn north on Road #221. There are also access roads along the US95 corridor between Riggins and White Bird.