Middle Fork River
- 58.1 mi
- round trip
- 6,779 ft
- climb
- 5,182 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Jun, Aug–Oct
- best months
Is Middle Fork River open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists an alert for Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Stoddard Bridge Construction Closure
Agency alert covering Salmon-Challis National Forest · Order 0413-07-17 · USFS · Salmon-Challis National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Salmon-Challis National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
The Middle Fork River is a hard hike in the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District of Idaho's Salmon-Challis National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about 58 miles, with a one-way climb of roughly 3,367 feet. The total round-trip gain is about 6,779 feet, and the trail's natural surface makes it a long, steep day on foot. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Challis show July highs around 87°F with lows near 52°F, while winter highs stay in the upper 20s. Horses are allowed on the trail. The closest nearby options are Woodtick Ridge, about 2 miles away, and Camas Creek, a canoeing spot about 3 miles off. Castle and Pole Creek are both within about 6 miles.
Local outfitters
- The Sawmill Station40 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Oct
Best time to visit Middle Fork River
Best months: May–June and August–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
29° / 11°
7 wet
Feb
37° / 17°
5 wet
Mar
49° / 25°
7 wet
Apr
57° / 31°
7 wet
May
67° / 40°
9 wet
Jun
75° / 46°
7 wet
Jul
87° / 52°
5 wet
Aug
85° / 50°
5 wet
Sep
74° / 42°
5 wet
Oct
59° / 32°
5 wet
Nov
40° / 21°
6 wet
Dec
29° / 11°
7 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Challis Ap, ID, 26 mi away at 5,033 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
Woodtick Ridge
~3 min drive
21.20-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 4,063 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Melville Ridge
~10 min drive
4.19-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 2,336 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
WOODTICK CUTOFF
~12 min drive
6.98-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 5,101 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Singheiser
~16 min drive
5.37-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 739 ft gain.
HIKE
Castle
~7 min drive
18.83-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 3,032 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Lower Yellowjacket
~15 min drive
11.12-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,283 ft gain.
HIKE
FURNACE CREEK
~14 min drive
21.56-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 5,859 ft elevation gain and loss.
HIKE
Rock Lake
~17 min drive
0.78-mile out-and-back trail to Rock Lake in Idaho with 22 ft gain.
HIKE
Pole Creek
~9 min drive
10.83-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 3,042 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
WEST FORK LAKES CUTOFF
~16 min drive
2.58-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,136 ft elevation gain and loss.
