Salmon, Middle Fork

Boundary Creek Boat Launch. Mile 0 for most trips. Permits and schedules are issued here. From Highway 21 mile 109.4, take FR 579 (Bear Valley Road) 9.4 miles, and then bear right on FR 568 which goes another 11 miles to the launch ramp (be sure to stay left at the Y at 9.6 miles on this road).

Bends right and divides in the middle. Center channel is usually best.

At high water (above 4 feet) this is one of the most difficult rapids on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. You can scout it the night before by walking down the trail on river left. There is a boat flipping hole on the right that gets harder to avoid as the flows get higher. If you flip here at flows above 5 feet you may not be able to recover the boat for a few miles. A swim could be very long and potentially life threatening.

Teepee Hole Camp. A small but heavily used site popular with fishermen in summer who hike down the trail. The camp is good for 10 people or less.

Cable Hole Camp. A small camp located on a rocky bench with some clear areas. Suitable for 10 people of less.

A low water rapid.

Gardell's Hole Camp. A large camp on a sand and gravel bar just above a large pool and Sulfur Slide Rapid. It is a small camp at higher flows.

Sulphur Slide Rapid (Class III). This is a steep, fairly long rock garden. At moderate to high water start left and work center. Advisable to scout at low water.

Ramshorn Rapid (Class III).

A creek on river right delivered signficant debris to the river and changed this rapid in 2023. The preferred line varies with flow and the rapid entrance can be scouted from the right or left. At low flows the lower part of the rapid gets very shallow making this one of the tougher spots to navigate during summer low flows.

Velvet Falls Rapid (Class IV). This rapid underwent signficant change with a 2023 debris flow that altered the rapid. It is advisable to scout this rapid which has a line down the right side.

Boy Scout Camp. A small rocky camp on river right.

Big Bend Camp. A large camp on a low sandy bench with both timber and open areas.

Trail Flat Camp. A large camp on a bench just above the river. Hot springs at water's edge washes out at high water.

These rapids are immediately following the hot springs at Trail Flat and are very challenging to navigate at flows below 2.2 feet.

The Chutes Rapids (Class III). Stay left, avoiding the rock at the channel entrance.

Elkhorn Bar Camp. Camping is possible both on the higher bank and just around the bend at this large camp. Look for a large rock in the center of the river, just above the camp.

Saddle Camp. This site is named for the large grassy saddle on the ridge above the timbered flat, where the camp is located.

Boot Camp. A very small site located on a high, timbered bench.

Powerhouse Rapids (Class III-IV). You can land on the right just above to scout from a bench above the river. A cabin and other ruins are found here.

Joe Bump Cabin and Camp. This large camp is on a timbered bench just across from Soldier Creek. Joe Bump's cabin can be found upstream by following the well worn trail a couple hundred yards.

This is a great camp near Sheepeater Hot Springs

Sheepeater Camp. Landing can be a problem at low water because the river is wide and shallow here. A hot spring can be found on the terrace above the camp.

Lake Creek Camp. Mile 14.9. This large camp is just across the river from Lake Creek.

Fire Island Camp. Space for a large party on this low timber and grassy bench.

John's Camp. This large camp occupies the bench where the river bends sharply to the right.

Greyhound Creek Camp is a small camp is by a large pool about 10 feet above the river back into the trees.

Dome Hole Camp is a small camp lies just past the pool on river left.

Artillery Rapids is a series of long but relatively easy rapids.

Rapid River Camp has room for a large party on this timbered bench.

Dolly Lake Camp is located on river left. It is on a large pool, one of the biggest and deepest on the river--the Dolly Lake.

Big Snag Camp is a large campsite on river right marked by big snag at the river's edge (as long as it remains standing).

Cannon Creek Rapids (Class III). Work left to avoid the ledge.

Formed by the debris fan from Lake Creek. The character of this rapid has been dynamic over the years as debris flows have come down the creek.

Quick Stop Camp is a very small camp where the river bends sharply above Pistol Creek Rapid.

Pistol Creek Rapids (Class IV). Mile 21.4. A tight S turn that is generally run left to avoid the rocks and hole jutting from the right bank. The best line can change with flow so this is a good one to scout on the right if you are unfamiliar with the rapid. A scouting trail on river right leads to an outcrop offering a birdseye view and the various approaches.

Pistol Creek Camp is a large camp located on a low sandy bench at the downstream end of the Pistol Creek Gorge.

Pistol Creek Ranch. A small airstrip services a number of privately owned cabins.

Airplane Camp is a large open timbered site just across from Short Creek.

Pack Bridge Camp is found just upstream of the pack bridge.

Indian Creek Camp is a large camp just upstream of the Indian Creek confluence.

Pungo Creek Camp has an easy landing just downstream of the creek confluence and is a large, heavily used camp. The area is a sensitive cultural site and boaters are asked to camp on the donwstream side of the confluence with the creek.

Formed by the debris fan from Orelano Creek.

Little Soldier Camp is accessed from the landing just below the creek. Plenty of camping is found among the timber on the higher benches.

Upper Marble Creek Camp is on a very large low bench along the upstream end of a quiet pool.

Camp below a small cliff band on river left that has a nice grassy bench among the trees. From the downstream end of the camp you can watch groups pass through Marble Creek Rapid.

Marble Creek Rapids is formed by a bedrock ledge. Run left of center as the ride side tends to form a hole as levels increase.

The riverside hot spring at Sunflower Flat on river right is a popular stop for most river runners and one of the most scenic with some hot pools that overlook the river and an outlet that forms a hot shower closer to the river. A small campsite is located on the terrace just downstream of the hot spring.

Lost Oak Camp is a large camp on a timbered bench on river left towards the end of the pool where Sunflower Hot Spring is located. As long as flow is not too high you can ferry across to river right and access the hot spring from this camp.

Middle Fork Lodge on river right is a privately owned fishing lodge and retreat. The river gage used by river runners is located on river left.

A ponderosa pine covered bench along river left.

State Land Camp is a large camp on a low bench among scattered ponderosa pines.

Little Creek Camp is a large camp located on a large bench just downstream of Little Creek Guard Station.

Hood Ranch Camp is a large campsite signalled by the old cabin. Land in the shallow channel on the right or just below the bar. A hot springs is found on the downstream end of the camp.

Jackass Rapid (Class III). The rapid is formed by bedrock ledges that extend from the left bank and a large boulder at the downstream end of the rapid. At higher flows the boulder forms a hole and at lower flows you can get stuck on it.

Upper Jackass Flat Camp is a large camp just below Jackass Rapid.

Lower Jackass Flat Camp is a large camp on a mostly timbered low bench.

This was a small camp on a large sagebrush flat across from Little Loon Creek, but the Forest Service has closed it to overnight use for protection of cultural resources. A well-worn trail from the river leads up to pictographs and this is a popular mid-day stop for those venturing up to view them.

Cougar Creek Ranch is a patrol cabin and administrative site owned by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG).

Mahoney Camp is a small beach camp adjacent to a large pool.

Pine Creek Flat Camp is a large camp on a sagebrush flat above the river.

Culver Creek Camp is a small camp signalled by a rocky outcrop just upstream.

Whitie Cox Camp is located on a large sandy, gravel bar that was dominated by a single large ponderosa that has fallen and extended out over the river. A hot springs in located on the bench above. The camp is named for a miner who perished while prospecting in 1954 and is buried here.

Rock Island Camp is a large campsite located on a low bench with timber and flat ground.

Pebble Beach Camp in on a low bench with timber and room for a large party.

Rapid where the river makes a hard bend to the left.

White Creek Camp is located just across from White Creek.

Shelf Camp has an easy pull in at a gravel bar that provides access to a tree-covered bench.

Big Loon Camp is large with limited shade aside from some bushes along the shoreline. An excellent hot springs with a creekside tub is found by hiking the trail 0.8 mile up Loon Creek. You will pass the Simplot Ranch on the way. An airstrip adjacent to the ranch provides fly-in access and overnight stays are available. River runners can stop in for a treat on their way to or from the hot springs.

Cow Creek Camp is a small camp on a brush-covered bar with some trees for shade. It is a 1.2 mile hike up river and along the airstrip to access Loon Creek Hot Spring from this camp.

Cave Camp is a small camp located on river right just as the cove on the left bank comes into view.

Hospital Bar Camp is a large camp on a low bench with plenty of shade. A hot springs is found on river's edge just upstream of the camp, but can be under water at high flows.

Horsetail Camp is a small camp on a high-timbered bench.

Cub Creek Camp is a small camp located just above the mouth of the creek.

Upper Grouse Creek Camp is a large camp with an easy landing.

Lower Grouse Creek Camp is in the middle of Grouse Creek rapid just before the river swings left. It requires a quick pull in to the eddy. At low water the camp has a nice beach. The upper bench has an area for tents under the trees and also an open field behind the trees.

The Tappan Creek Cabin provides a reminder of ranch life on the Middle Fork Salmon.

Tappan Island Camp is a low open island. To reach the camp, land from the swift water in the right channel towards the downstream end of the island.

Tappan I Rapid (Class II). Stay in the center.

Tappan Falls Rapid (Class III) is typically best run near the righ bank but the preferred line changes with flow. Scouting is recommended at lower flows. Kayakers have multiple lines to choose from.

Tappan II Rapid (Class III). After passing the boulder in river center, move right. The lower part of the rapid was submerged during 2008 when a blowout on Cove Creek delivered debris to the river backing up a pool that inundated the lower part of Tappan II.

Tappan III (Class III). Stay to the left. This rapid was radically altered in 2008 when a debris flow came down Cove Creek.

Final and easiest rapid in the Tappan series.

Camas Creek Camp is a large camp just above the mouth of Camas Creek. This camp offers a fun hike up the creek which has been run by kayakers.

Johnny Walker Camp is a large camp on a low timbered bench backed by a steep rock wall.

Pool Camp is a small camp on a bench next to a large quiet pool.

Funston Camp is a small site at a sandy beach on the river just downstream of Big Bear Creek.

Broken Oar Camp is a small camp on a sandy sagebrush flat with some trees.

Pictographs on rock faces above the river. Large boulders mark the river bank including one that resembles a shark fin.

Aparejo Point Rapids are run by entering center and working left.

Trail Camp is a large popular camp on a low-timbered bench.

Normandy Beach Camp. Mile 64.3. Small camp on a scattered pine and sagebrush beach.

Sheep Creek Camp is a very large camp on the upstream side of Sheep Creek.

Paddlers ofter visit the small store located at Flying B Ranch for cold drinks, ice cream bars, ice, and other items. You can also fill water containers here.

Flying B Camp is a small camp at the water's edge.

Flying B Airport Camp is a large camp found on the bank just across from the airfield.

Haystack Rapid is a long rock garden that presents different routes at different flows before quickly transitioning to Bernard Rapid.

This is really a continuation of Haystack Rapid but earned its own name as a result of a debris flow that came down Bernard Creek in 2003 creating new features.

Bernard Camp is a large camp located just downstream of the Bernard Creek airstrip.

Short Creek Camp is a mid-sized camp on a sage flat bordered by a rocky shore.

Cold Spring Camp is a small camp is located 20 feet above the river and back in the trees.

Thie rapid was created during the 1983 Borah Peak Earthquake that shook a large rock loose from the cliffs above that now forms the defining feature at the downstream end of the rapid.

Jack Creek Rapid comes at the end of a stretch of fun whitewater in Jack Creek Canyon that extends nearly a half mile and at high water contains many fun big waves.

Fun rapid where the river begins the turn to the right.

Little Pine Creek Camp is a medium-sized camp located just below Jack Creek Rapids.

Several large boulders in the river form this rapid.

A large boulder left of center and a cliff at the bottom defines this rapid.

Driftwood Camp is a large camp that has a nice open area on a nice beach and several trees around the outside edge. Boulders throughout this camp form several nice 'rooms' serving as individual camp sites.

A fun wave train below Driftwood Camp.

Wilson Creek Camp is a large, easily seen campsite. The camp is sandy with scattered brush.

Grassy Flat I Camp is a large campsite located on the large open bench opposite Wilson Creek.

Grassy Flat II Camp. Mile 73.2. Another large camp on an open bench.

Rattlesnake Cave is a day-use site and not open for camping. The overhung wall displays and impressive collection of pictographs. To ensure you don't miss it, use the higher upstream pull in and walk down along the shoreline on river right. An alternate pull-in is an option closer to the pictographs but it requires a precise ferry from where the main flow is on river left over to a small landing on river right.

Survey Creek Camp has good timber cover at this large camp with a small sandy beach at the lower end.

Woolard Creek Camp is a large camp on a grassy bench. Land on the upstream end.

Fly Camp is a small camp on a sandy beach identified by Kimmel Creek waterfall on the opposite bank.

Fish Camp is a small camp located at the upstream end of a rock bar bordered by thick brush and timber.

Waterfall Creek and Falls

Big Creek Camp is a small brushy camp the upstream side of the Big Creek. It is not much more than a bivouack site. You can hike up the creek from here which makes for a nice excursion. Of all the tributaries, this is the one that is most commonly boated by kayakers and packrafters.

Last Chance Camp is a very small camp on the downstream end of the bench across from the Big Creek confluence. Camp is on a high narrow bench with sand, grass, and boulders. The quality of this site varies and some years you might not find much here.

Pine Bluff Camp is a small sandy camp on a timbered site.

Located at the end of the pool after the Big Creek confluence. Beware of the rock right of center at the bottom that is a known spot to wrap or flip a raft. Attentive boaters can easily avoid it by staying left.

Cutthroat Cove Camp is on a small sandbar backed by rock and brush.

Big Pine Camp is a small site at the end of a long pool. Site is a sandbar grading into timber.

Elk Bar Camp is a large site with a sandbar just below a small rapid. The upstream end of the site is rocky grading into a high bench. This is one of the nicer camps in the Impassable Canyon, particularly during low water of summer. It is a great camp for a last night on the river although it makes for an approximately 20 mile day on your final day.

Love Bar Camp is a small site just downstream of Elk Bar Camp.

Veil Falls is a misty falls that cascades off the bedrock ledge high above the river. The steep short hike to the base of the falls is worth the effort making this a popular side excursion particulary on hot days.

Porcupine Rapid is a short straightforward rapid on a sharp right bend. Enter center and then work left.

Redside Camp is a small camp just upstream of Redside Rapid at the mouth of a small creek. The site is on a high bench with scattered timber.

Redside Rapids is one of the classic rapids on the Middle Fork with lines that vary depending on flows.

Weber Rapid can be run center or center left at most flows.

Read and run.

Papoose Camp is a very small camp located at the mouth of Papoose Creek.

Ship Island Camp is a large camp located on the bench above the rocky shore. Landing can be fast.

Lightning Strike Camp is a small beach camp.

Parrot Placer Camp is a large camp on a sandy beach surrounded by trees and brush.

Parrot Cabin Camp is the cabin is just below the mouth of Nugget Creek. The camp area here is small.

Upper Cliffside Rapid is run inside on this right hand corner staying off the wall on river left. The waves can offer some fun surf for kayakers.

Cradle Creek Camp is a mid-sized camp on a bench by a large boulder. Land in the eddy just beyond Upper Cliffside Rapid. This is a nice camp for the last night of the trip with the opportunity for kayakers to surf on the waves at Upper Cliffside dependent on flow.

Lower Cliffside Rapids is a rock garden rapid that develops holes on the right at high flows.

Tumble Creek Camp is a large camp on a high grassy bench above the mouth of Tumble Creek.

Ouzel Camp is a small sandy beach camp with rocks.

Sand bar camp that can fluctuate from year to year.

Long rapid formed by small boulders throughout the channel from Cliffside Camp to Otter Bar Camp, passing the Stoddard Creek confluence along the way. It's a relatively easy read and run rapid.

This camp is accessed in the middle of the class II whitewater of Ouzel Rapid, just after you pass the mouth of Stoddard Creek, and requires a decisive move to get to shore and grab your boat. The camp is up on a spacious bench and a trail leads a short distance up Stoddard Creek to some pictographs.

Long sandbar camp.

Rubber Rapid is one of the Middle Fork's classic rapids. Stay in the center and follow the main current.

Hancock Rapid is a long rapid that develops large standing waves as the river rounds the corner below the creek entering on river right.

Solitude Camp is a small camp located on a low sandbar along a shoreline with swift current. It's the last feasible camp option for a group in the Impassable Canyon and makes for a short last day (you can likely make it first to the ramp for take-out), but it is not a great camp and a group with several tents will likely have trouble finding enough good spaces.

A huge boulder forms the Devil's Molar and signals the approach of the Devil's Tooth a short distance downstream.

Devil's Tooth Rapid is run to the right of center of this drop punctuated by large boulders.

House of Rocks Rapid as the name implies has some large house-sized rocks. The rapid is harder at high flows when a hard left is required.

A large midstream boulder with a jagged profile that opens as if a clamshell on the downstream side.

Read and run.

Several large boulders are in the channel that can form holes at the highest flows.

Fun wave train.

The last of the rapids on the Middle Fork (but don't forget Cramer Creek Rapid as your turn the corner on to the Main) as you approach the confluence.

The trip is nearly over as you arrive at the confluence with the Main Salmon. A rough access here can be used as a take-out but most continue down to the paved access ramps at Cache Bar.

Cramer Creek Rapid is generally run right of center as a huge hole develops left of center. This rapid is actually on the Salmon River but represents the last formidable obstacle for those finishing a Middle Fork trip.

Cache Bar Landing is the standard takeout for the Middle Fork located on the Salmon River.