Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho

The Middle Fork of the Salmon is what most people think of when asked to describe a perfect week of rafting. Outstanding fishing, spectacular scenery, fun rapids, and abundant wildlife is what makes the Middle Fork one of the most sought-after permits in the United States.

Middle Fork Salmon Access

Depending on the water level, most trips put-in at Boundary Creek, which is just a 1.5 hour drive from Stanley. The name "Boundary" comes from when sheep and cattle ranchers used the creek as a boundary back in the day. If the gauge at the Middle Fork lodge shows water levels at or below 2.2 feet, you should consider flying into Indian Creek (Mile 26) so that you have more water to put-in with. With a light load and small rafts, groups commonly "go off the top," as it's called, without much trouble at low water. The upper section of the river can become incredibly technical and when the water gets too low groups can spend days pulling their boats downstream to where there's more water. Likewise, if the water is high (above 6.0 feet), first-timers down the Middle Fork should consider flying into the Indian Creek air strip.

The upper part of the river (from Boundary Creek to Indian Creek) drops 40 feet per mile and is fairly continuous. At higher flows the upper end becomes a solid class IV run. For first timers on the Middle Fork, it is important to keep an eye on your map to anticipate recommended scouts. Velvet Falls has been known to catch more than a few boaters off-guard.

Middle Fork Salmon Airstrips

Although remote and far away from any road, the Middle Fork has a handful of dirt airstrips that can be used for any evacutation. Pistol Creek, Indian Creek, Loon Creek, Mahoney, and the Flying B are just a few to remember or write down. The "Impassable Canyon" begins after passing Big Creek (around mile 75) because the Middle Fork trail leaves the canyon and there is "no way out" besides floating.

To top the trip off, half a mile above the normal take-out (Cache Bar), there is a relatively new rapid called Cramer Creek. Click here for a brief history of Cramer and a few other recent Middle Fork blow-outs.

Sometimes when the Boundary Creek Road is snowed in private groups launch from the highway onto Marsh Creek. Marsh Creek and Bear Valley Creek form the Middle Fork. Due to the nature of the run and the weather normally associated with a Marsh Creek run, it is strongly discouraged to run Marsh Creek. Logs are a huge issue and during high water it can be next to impossible for a raft to stop along the flooded banks. If you decide to run Marsh Creek, be smart, scout every rapid that you can't see the bottom of, and make sure you look at Dagger Falls, the class V drop right above Boundary Creek.

Some "musts"if you find yourself on the MF:
-Sleep outside and check out those stars.
-Buy a fishing license and do some fly-fishing. (Catch and release, remember)
-Check out some of the hotsprings along the river and up side creeks.
-Hike to Veil Falls and put mint leaves in your nose.

Interested in the Middle Fork of the Salmon?