The Salmon River is the second longest river without a single dam in the lower 48 states.

The main stem of the Salmon and its East Fork, Middle Fork, North Fork, South Fork, and Yankee Fork, as well as many other major tributaries and hundreds of creeks are almost entirely free of dams.

The Main Fork consists of an upper reach from its  headwaters to Challis, middle reach from Challis northward to North Fork, and a lower reach from North Fork across the middle of Idaho to its confluence with the Snake River on the Idaho-Washington border.

Copyright © Ralph Maughan
Main stem of the Salmon River just upstream from North Fork, Idaho.

 

Copyright © Jackie Johnson Maughan
Salmon River canyon as it cuts across Central Idaho. Photo from Bear Point, 6000 feet above the river.

Copyright © Ralph Maughan
Salmon River canyon near the town of Riggins, a very popular floating and fishing area quite a way downstream.