Middle Fork Salmon River

Over countless millions of years the Middle Fork Salmon River has been busy carving a spectacular, deep canyon into the granite rock of central Idaho. From the top of the canyon looking down, this massive gash in the Earth is impressive, but it pales in comparison to the awe-inspiring views enjoyed by visitors at the bottom of the canyon who look up at towering walls that rise thousands of feet above the remarkably clear river. One hundred years ago, most of the people who saw these views were trappers and prospectors who established remote homesteads in the canyon. In recent years, the vast majority of visitors have been rafters and kayakers, who are drawn not only to the scenery but also to the challenge of one of America's most legendary whitewater rivers. Hikers are only beginning to discover the wonders of this canyon, but their numbers are sure to increase as word gets out about the excellent scenery and the canyon's other great attribute, its hot springs. The trail passes numerous excellent hot springs, ranging from tiny seeps to huge springs where large volumes of hot water come bubbling out of the ground. Almost all of the springs provide excellent bathing opportunities, which makes the Middle Fork Salmon River Trail perhaps the best extended backpacking trip for hot-springs lovers in the American West.