Idaho · Hiking · Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness

Salmon River

3.6 mi
round trip
110 ft
climb
2,816 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Salmon River open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Payette National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Payette National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Salmon River hike is a 3.6-mile out-and-back in Idaho's Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, on the Krassel Ranger District of the Payette National Forest. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and runs on natural surface, with a low point of 2,675 feet and a high of 2,816 feet. The climb is moderate, with an elevation gain of 110 feet. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Yellowpine Bar weather station show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 81°F, while July and August average in the low 90s. The closest neighbor is Prospect Ridge, about 0.4 miles away. Chamberlain Creek, Elkhorn Spring and Cabin Springs all lie within about 4.5 miles.

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Salmon River

    Best months: June and September–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.

    1. Jan

      37° / 21°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      44° / 23°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      54° / 29°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      63° / 35°

      14 wet

    5. May

      73° / 41°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 48°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      92° / 53°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 52°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 45°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 35°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      45° / 28°

      14 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 22°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yellowpine Bar, ID, 14.6 mi away at 2,480 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.