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Idaho

North Fork Big Lost River

No verdict for this water

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

Inside Salmon-Challis National Forest
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data

What's missing

No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

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Why you'll love it

21.6 mi run

Flows year-round

115 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water: Flows year-round
Average flow: 115 cfs
Average current: 1.3 ft/s
Gradient: 59.9 ft/mi
Drainage area: 113 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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North Fork Big Lost River

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency: Forest Service

About this water

North Fork Big Lost River is a 22-mile paddling stretch near Mackay, Idaho. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 115 cfs and a gradient of about 59.9 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Photo: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Big Lost River

~59 min drive

Big Lost River is a 39-mile paddling stretch near Mackay, Idaho. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 509 cfs and a gradient of about 16.9 feet per mile.

Sawtooth National Recreation Area

~23 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Idaho.

South Butte Boat Ramp

~43 min drive

South Butte Boat Ramp is a boat launch in Idaho.

Trail Creek

~21 min drive

Trail Creek is a 17-mile paddling stretch near Hailey, Idaho. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 71 cfs and a gradient of about 122.3 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Deadman Hole Boat Ramp

~50 min drive

Deadman Hole Boat Ramp is a boat launch in Idaho.

Herd Creek

~22 min drive

Herd Creek is a 9.5-mile paddling stretch near Clayton, Idaho. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 79 cfs and a gradient of about 71.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Torrey's Hole Boat Ramp

~51 min drive

Torrey's Hole Boat Ramp is a boat launch in Idaho.

East Fork Big Lost River

~24 min drive

East Fork Big Lost River is a 25-mile paddling stretch near Mackay, Idaho. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 265 cfs and a gradient of about 46.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Pettit Boat Dock

~55 min drive

Pettit Boat Dock is a boat launch in Idaho.

East Fork Salmon River

~25 min drive

East Fork Salmon River is a 13-mile paddling stretch near Clayton, Idaho. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 402 cfs and a gradient of about 75.2 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Also worth it near here

BARTLETT CREEK

~2 min drive