How to Plan a Middle Fork of the Salmon Trip
So, you got the email— "You won a Middle Fork of the Salmon permit" email? Congrats! The Middle Fork isn’t just a river trip—it’s 100 miles of wild Idaho winding through the heart of the Frank Church Wilderness. With (usually) crystal-clear flows, riverside hot springs, epic views, and splashy Class III-IV rapids, it’s the stuff river dreams are made of. Whether it’s your first trip or your tenth, here are some tips to help you plan.
How to Get a Permit for the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
A permit is required to float the Middle Fork downstream of Dagger Falls. For trips between May 28th and September 3rd, you’ll need to enter the lottery and win a permit. Outside of those dates, permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis through Recreation.gov. Check frequently—cancellations do happen, and you might snag a last-minute spot.
Driving to the Put-In
Boundary Creek boat ramp is the classic put-in and the only option if you want to drive your boat in without running Marsh Creek. The road to Boundary is a long dirt road not maintained in the winter. If you are considering a spring trip, ask around and make sure the road is passable before heading to put-in.
Most river users arrive to put in the day before their trip start date. This gives you time to rig boats and slide them down the iconic Boundary Creek boat ramp. You'll want to show up with a plan and keep your group's gear in one area so you don't get mixed up with other groups.
Boundary Creek Put-in Gets Busy
Boundary Creek Gets Busy
When it is time to use the ramp, make sure to have all hands on deck for that boat and move it down to the water as soon as possible. Once in the eddy, you'll want to keep your group close together as it will get quite crowded in the busy season. You'll likely tie some boats off the back of other boats. The ranger only allows three boats per group to be touching the shore.
Flying Into the Middle Fork
Once the water starts to drop, you have a couple of options. Get ready for a low water adventure. Below 2 feet, some groups choose to fly their trip into the river. While many backcountry airstrips on the Middle Fork, the one that most groups choose to fly into is Indian Creek.
Flying Gear Into Indian Creek
Is the water level getting low, but you're not quite ready to fly your whole trip in? I recommend flying some gear into Indian Creek to keep your boats light for the first 25 miles. The section of the river from Boundary to Indian creek is considerably shallower than the rest of the trip, and it is so much easer with a light boat. I have seen too many groups with heavy boats still on the river trying to get to camp, while I'm at camp finishing up dinner dishes.
There are a few options for planes into the Middle Fork, and they probably are not as expensive as you think.
Take-out
Cache Bar is the take-out for all trips. The boat ramp has just three lanes, and seven or more trips might be pulling out on any given day. Commercial outfitters have a tight turn around between trips, and are usually all at the boat ramp between 11-1:30 pm.
If you are on the river during the busy season, consider spending some more time in the Impassable Canyon and hitting the take-out after 2:00 p.m., when the crowd has cleared. Be patient and ready for work quick and fast when you have a lane at the boat ramp.
Camping at Otter Bar on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
Campsites
Campsites are assigned before launching your trip with the help of the ranger.
While all camps on the Middle Fork are great, it is smart to go into the camp selection meeting with a plan. It is great to pick camps for their side hike and views, but is important to also think about the river mileage between camps. If you have a 30 mile day just to get to a camp with a certain hike, you might not have enough time to enjoy it after a long day on the water.
You'll also want to consider your group size while selecting camps. If you are a small group, look into what small camps you'll want to stay at. The Ranger will probably not let you select all large group campsites if the river is busy.
Important to Note: Boating groups must camp at the designated sites listed on their permit, and all group members must stay together. While camps are assigned to river groups, they are not exclusive—other Forest Service users, like backpackers or horse packers, are not assigned campsites and may also camp there. Boating groups are required to share their camp.
Camp selection rules:
- You can't stay at more than one camp with hot spring access
- Only one night per trip below mile 78 during lottery control season
- Layover days are only allowed at certain camps, with ranger approval
The official Forest service camp list with miles and rules can be helpful in planning out prespective camps.
An 18' raft in the hole at Velvet Falls at 6.5 feet
Required Gear
The Forest Service Ranger will inspect your group’s gear before issuing your permit. Here is the list of required items that they will be checking for:
- Portable Toilet (Groover)
- Fire Pan
- Fire Blanket
- Mesh strainer
- Ash Container
- Shovel
- Bucket
- Mesh Strainer
If you need to rent, check out White Otter in Stanley or Blackadar in Salmon.
Transportation/Shuttle
No matter which combinations of put-in you choose, your trip will probably need to have at least one vehicle shuttled. My recommendation is River Shuttles.
Food, Groceries, and Meal Prep
If you’re doing a grocery run en route, Saveway in Salmon is your best bet—but it’s closed Sundays.
You’ll also find Mountain Harvest on Main Street for local produce and vegetarian-friendly items.
Grocery options in Stanley are limited and expensive, so shop before you head up.
Want to skip the hassle? Check out Salmon River Food Packs to have meals prepped for your trip.
Soaking in Sunflower hot spring along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
River Maps
The classic best map that most people use is the Middle Fork Guide written by Matt Lidecker. You can buy this from a few stores online, or purchase it at almost any river or outdoor store in Salmon or Stanley on your way to put-in.
If you want to try something more technology driven, check out the digital map from GoRafting.com. The perks of this is that it uses GPS to track where you are, no more attempting to read topo maps on the fly!
Also check out our Middle Fork Page on Whitewater Guidebook before the trip to read about the river and watch some videos.
Chinook Salmon
Chinook salmon spawn in late summer and early fall. If your trip overlaps with the season, take time to learn about fish behavior and river etiquette. They are a keystone species in the Frank Church Wilderness, and it's up to all of us to protect them. If you are interested in donating to an organization rallying to help the wild salmon in Idaho, check out Idaho Rivers United
The Underwater Canyon was a major Salmon fishing spot for the Tuka Deka People
Trash, Recycling, and Groover Cleaning
The Newland Ranch Dump Station on the drive out from Cache Bar has garbage dumpsters, aluminum recycling, and a Scat Machine to clean groovers. Services are free for river users, but the Scat Machine has been known to break down frequently—have a backup plan just in case.
Rules for the Middle Fork
The Forest Service has a set of rules that all river users and required to know and follow:
- All watercraft must arrive clean, drained, and dry, and display a valid Idaho AIS sticker.
- Boats must be inspected by Forest Service staff before entering the river. The Rangers typically clock out around 5pm, so if you want to get your boats down the ramp the day you get there, you'l have to get them inspected by then - or wait until the next morning when the Rangers are back on duty.
- Pack out all waste, including trash, ashes, and human waste.
- Do not use soap, even biodegradable, in any stream, river, lake, or hot springs.
- Public nudity is prohibited. - This goes for Hot Springs too.
- Leave all archaeological artifacts and natural features undisturbed. - Don't touch the pictographs.
- The river passes through Wilderness Area, where:
- Motorized equipment and mechanical transport (e.g., bicycles) are not allowed.
- Drones (UAS) are strictly prohibited.
- Comply with all local, State, and Federal laws.
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River - The Impassable Canyon
Pro Tips for Middle Fork Rafters
- Cell service ends after Stanley and won’t return until you reach Salmon.
- Be mindful of Sweep Boats on the river, they have the right of way. Their only forward propulsion is to be in the current and it is hard for them to stop. If you see one behind, eddy out and let them pass.
- Show up to the put-in organized to avoid chaos.
- Bring a small daypack for side hikes.
- If you plan on fishing make sure you buy an Idaho Fishing License and know the rules (catch and release - barbless hooks)
Additional Resources
- Advice for Low Water
- Advice for High Water
- Best Instagram Hikes on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
- Whitewater Kayaking on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
- Watch some Gear Garage videos.
- Have a question that isn't answered in this blog? Submit a question to be answered on the next Gear Garage Live Show.
Happy trip planning!
