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RiverBrain

Salmon River

Corn Creek to Vinegar Creek/Carey Creek (Main Salmon)

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Idaho – US

Class
III to IV
Length
79 Mile(s)
Put-in elevation
2,908 Feet
Take-out elevation
2,007 Feet
Typical season
January to December

Current Flow

8,970 CFS

Gauge height: 15.01 FT

Reading from Jul 10, 2026 9:45 PM

▼ -10.00/hr (12h) ▼ -5.00/hr (24h)

Running

Hit some laps

Primary gauge
SALMON RIVER AT WHITE BIRD ID Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗ NOAA river forecast ↗
Flow formula
[MIDDLE FORK SALMON RIVER AT MOUTH NR SHOUP ID] + [SALMON RIVER NR SHOUP ID] computes to 5,130.0 right now
Alternative gauge
[MIDDLE FORK SALMON RIVER AT MOUTH NR SHOUP ID] + [SALMON RIVER NR SHOUP ID] 5,130 CFS

Recommended levels

Minimum4,000
Average20,000
Maximum35,000

Recommended use

  • Kayaking
  • Rafting
  • Canoeing
  • SUP
  • Packrafting
  • Fishing

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Flow history — last 6 days

Photos

Main Salmon at Corn Creek · 09-13-2012 · A smokey canyon from the fires

Open in full map →

Description

This is the river of no return.  Besides the Middle Fork this should be on your todo list before you die.  Many awesome camps, rapids and points of interest.  See info below for specifics.

Rapids

# Rapid Class Recommended flow Description Scout
1 Kitchen Creek Rapid III 4,000–35,000

This is a newer rapid that formed in the early 2000's.  

Scout from the road on river right
2 Proctor Creek Rapid II 4,000–35,000

A straight forward rapid.

Read and run
3 Unnamed Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
4 Killum Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Run right or follow the main V tongue.

Read and run
5 Gunbarrel Rapid II 4,000–35,000

A straight forward rapid.  Watch for rocks at lower levels.

Read and run
6 Horse Creek Rapid II 4,000–35,000

A minor rapid here from the debris fan of Horse Creek

Read and run
7 Stub Creek Rapid II 4,000–35,000

A minor class II rapid

Read and run
8 Ranier Rapid III 4,000–35,000

At lower flows steer clear of the rock and hole near the center of the river.  At higher flows the hole washes out.  This is the first class III rapid on the main salmon stretch.

Read and run
9 Alder Creek Rapid III 4,000–35,000

This is a newer rapid that formed in 2011.

Scout on river left from the Alder Creek Camp (if you want).
10 Lantz Rapid III 4,000–35,000

A large ledge is at the bottom right of this rapid.

Read and run or scout from Lantz Bar.
11 Devils Teeth Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
12 Little Devils Teeth Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
13 Salmon Falls Rapid II- to II 4,000–35,000

This used to be one of the biggest drops on the Main Salmon.  But due to a blowout in Black Creek rapid down river, this rapid has been flooded out and is not mostly a class II riffle.  Unless Black Creek changes in the future there's not much here anymore.

Read and run
14 Black Creek Rapid III to IV 4,000–35,000

This rapid is still evolving over time.  Most flows you can run the main tongue towards river left, pulling from the right to the left.

Scoiut from the left bank.
15 Sabe Creek Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
16 Barth Rapid II 3,000–35,000

Another easy class II on the Main

Read and run
17 Hancock Rapid II 4,000–35,000

River widens and shallows here.  Left channel is pretty boney.  Most go right where the current is deeper.

Read and run
18 Masie's Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
19 Bailey Rapid III 4,000–35,000

Run the main tongue down the center.  When scouting, check for a large hydraulic hole that can form at lower water levels in the main tongue line.  Pull appropriately to avoid it if it's there.

Scout from the right bank
20 Allison Ranch Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Class II

Read and run
21 Sapp Creek Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
22 Five Mile Rapid III to III+ 4,000–35,000

Large holes can form on this rapid at high flows.

Read and run
23 Split Rock Rapid III 4,000–35,000

Rocks line the center of the river and split the main rapid tongues.  Go right of the rocks (which can be submerged at high water levels)

Read and run
24 Stinker Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Rocky at low flows

Read and run
25 Big Mallard Rapid III to IV 4,000–35,000

Run far left close to the river bank to avoid holes in the main tongue.

Scout from river right at lower yellow pine camp.
26 Little Mallard Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
27 Elkhorn Rapid III to IV 4,000–35,000

This rapid begins with a large rock in the center of the river.  Choose which side to run relative to the rock and then boulder dodge your way through the rest of the rapid.  At swifter flows avoid getting wrapped or pinballed of any of the big rocks in the river here.

Scout from the left bank.
28 Elkhorn Big Rock Rapid II+ to IV 3,000–35,000

There is a large rock at the bottom of the Elkhorn Rapid.  Huge holes can form behind this rock.  Best to avoid the rock at all levels.  Class II+ on either side of the rock and Class IV is you decide to go over or on it.

Read and run
29 Growler Rapid II 4,000–35,000

A rocky boulder rapid at low flows

Read and run
30 Whiplash Rapid III to III+ 4,000–35,000

This rapid gets harder at higher flows.

Land at the top of groundhog bar on river right and hike down to scout.
31 Reed Creek Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
32 China Bar Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
33 Unnamed Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
34 Big Blowout Creek Rapid II 4,000–35,000

A long stretch of easy Class II here.

Read and run
35 Boise Bar Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Watch for a hole at the end of this rapid.  Otherwise straight forward.

Read and run
36 Jackson Bar Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
37 Ludwig Rapid III 4,000–35,000

This area is rocky at low water.  Most of the deeper currents run left of center.

Read and run
38 Mann Creek Rapid II 4,000–35,000

A run down the center with a rock dodge or two is usually the run of choice

Read and run
39 Warren Creek Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
40 James Ranch Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Run the wave train right of center

Read and run
41 Pete's Rock Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
42 Bull Creek Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Follow the main wave train down the center

Read and run
43 Cottontail Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
44 Can Opener Rapid II 4,000–35,000

At lower water there is a sharp rock in the center of this rapid that gives the rapid it's name

Read and run
45 T-Bone Creek Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
46 Dried Meat Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Run down the center

Read and run
47 Chittam Rapid III 4,000–35,000

Follow the tongue into the rapid and pull right

Scout from the right bank
48 Vinegar Rapid III to IV 4,000–35,000

Run the main wave tongue and watch for large waves and holes.

Scout from the right bank
49 Boulders Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run
50 Carey Falls Rapid II 4,000–35,000

Read and run

Access

Type Name Elevation Camping Water Boat ramp Vehicle access Description
Put-In Corn Creek Ramp 2,908 Feet Yes Yes Yes All Vehicles

There is a nice paved ramp at Corn Creek.  Camping and water are available here.  There is also a ranger station here so check in with the river rangers.
Take-Out Vinegar Creek Boat Ramp 2,007 Feet No No Yes All Vehicles

There are 2 or 3 concrete ramps here along with pit toilets
Take-Out Carey Creek Ramp 1,968 Feet No No Yes All Vehicles

Land river left just below the pack bridge on a concrete ramp.

Camps

Camp Fee Beach Description
Camp #1 No Yes

River left.
Camp #2 No Yes

river left
Camp #3 No Yes

River left
Camp #4 No Yes

On river right
Camp #5 No Yes

River left
Horse Creek Camp No Yes

River right just above Horse Creek outlet.  This is a larger camp
Bridge Piling Camp No Yes

On river left just below Horse Creek Rapid
Legend Creek Camp No Yes

A very nice large beach camp on river right
Spindle Creek Camp No Yes

A small, shadeless camp on river right.
Phantom Camp No Yes

2 beach camps are on river right here.
Alder Creek Camp No Yes

A large beach camp on river left.
Otter Beach Camp No Yes

River left.
Fawn Creek Camp No Yes

River right
Upper Lantz Bar Camp No Yes

River right.
Lower Lantz Bar Camp No Yes

River right, right above the rapid.
Disappointement Creek Camp No No

A large bench camp on river left.
Upper Devils Teeth Camp No Yes

On river right
Lower Devils Teeth Camp No Yes

Large beach camp on river left.
Overhang Camp No Yes

A small beach camp on river right.
Elkhorn Creek Camp No No

River right
Chamberlain Creek Camp No No

River left
Chukar Beach Camp No Yes

Beach camp on river right.
Blackadar Camp No Yes

A nive large beach with ponderosas lining the back for shade.
Motor Camp No Yes

Another large camp.  On river left.  Named after motor debris left on the beach
Big Squaw No Yes

River right
Corey Bar Camp No No

River right
Lower Corey Bar Camp No No

River right
Pebble Beach No No

River left
Black Canyon Beach Camp No Yes

Small camp on river right
Sunny Bar Camp No No

A rocky beach camp on river right
Hot Springs Camp No No

A bench  camp on river left just below the hot springs.  There aren't any pools to soak in but the springs coming out of the hill are hot.
Barth Camp No No

A larger camp on river left.
Sandy Hole Camp No Yes

A nice beach on river right with some ponderosa shade to boot.
Poor Bar Camp No No

River left camp.  Hard to use at lower water levels.
Nixon Bar Camp No No

A rocky beach and bench camp.  Not used much due to it's unfriendly camp features and landing.
Bruin Bar Camp No Yes

Larger camp on river left.
Hancock Camp No Yes

A nice camp on river left.  Poor camping options after this camp for the next few miles on the river.
Magpie Creek Camp No Yes

A very nice, very large beach camp on river left.
Hida Creek Camp No No

River left
Bargamin Creek Camp No Yes

Large beach camp on river right.
Bailey Bar Camp No Yes

River right
Upper Allison Ranch Camp No Yes

River right
Allison Ranch Camp No Yes

Very nice large beach on river right.  
Lower Richardson Bar Camp No No

River left.  Bench camp.
Upper Yellow Pine Camp No No

River right
Lower Yellow Pine Camp No No

River right just below the upper camp
Big Mallard Camp No No

Large shady camp on river right
Oakie's Camp No Yes

Small camp on river left
Boiler Hole Camp No No

River right
Hermit Hanks Camp No No

Large bench camp on river left.
Little Trout Creek Camp No Yes

River left
Easter Egg Camp No No

river left
Jim Moore Camp No No

River right
Ruff Creek Camp No No

River left
Groundhog Bar Camp No Yes

A large sandy beach on river right.  Hard to pull in to at high water flows.
Reed Creek Camp No Yes

Large camp on river right at the base of the rapid
Gaines Bar Camp No Yes

River right
Rhett Creek Camp No Yes

River right
Paine Creek No Yes

River right
Boise Bar Camp No Yes

River right
No Man's Creek Camp No No

Smaller camp on river right
Teepee Creek Camp No No

River right
Fivemile Creek Camp No Yes

A small low water level camp on river left next to a small cliff.
Pebble Beach Camp No No

A large bench camp on river left.
Haynie Bar Camp No Yes

River left
Bluebird Hole Camp No No

River right
Mackay Bar Bridge Camp No Yes

A large shadeless camp on river right just below the pack bridge.
Dead Man Camp No No

River left.
South Fork Island Camp No No

Shadeless camp on a small island where the south fork of the Salmon meets the main.
Cove Creek Camp No Yes

Small camp on river left
Red Harlan Camp No Yes

River right
Upper Pine Tree Hole Camp No Yes

River left.
Lower Pine Tree Hole Camp No Yes

Shadeless camp on river right.
Hungry Bar Camp No Yes

River right
Mann Creek Camp No Yes

A large beach camp on river left.
Warren Creek Camp No Yes

River left
Swimming Hole Camp No Yes

A very large shadeless camp on river right.  A nice pool above the camp provides the swimming opportunity here.
Indian Creek Bar Camp No Yes

River right
Upper James Creek Camp No Yes

River left
Rabbit Creek Camp No Yes

A large beach camp on river left
Alex Meadows Camp No Yes

River right
Basin Creek Camp No No

River right
Whiskey Bob Creek Camp No Yes

Small camp on river right
Upper Bull Creek Camp No Yes

Large camp on river right
Lower Bull Creek Camp No Yes

Another large beach camp on river right
Gold Rush Bar Camp No No

Low water camp on river right
California Creek Camp No Yes

Large beach camp on river left
T-Bone Creek Camp No No

River right
Maxwell Bar Camp No Yes

A large beach camp on river left.
Upper Sheep Creek Camp No Yes

River right
Middle Sheep Creek Camp No Yes

River right
Lower Sheep Creek Camp No Yes

River right
Bush Creek Camp No No

River left
Slide Beach Camp No Yes

Beach camp on river left.
Johnson Creek Bar Camp No No

River right
Wind River Camp No Yes

River right just above the pack bridge

Permit

AgencyUSFS and rec.gov
Phone208-865-2700
Address

US Forest Service
North Fork Ranger District
PO Box 180
North Fork, ID 83466
Phone: 208-865-2700

Application deadlineFebruary 1
Application fee$6.00
Permit info
  • Permits are non-transferable.
  • Permit Holder must be 18 years old by the launch date.
  • Permit Holder must be on the trip for entire duration of the float.
Regulations & required gear
    • Required equipment:
      • Porta-potty
      • Fire pan
      • Ash Container
      • Mesh Strainer
      • Shovel
      • Bucket
    • Group Size and Trip Length:
      • During the Lottery Control Season, (June 20-September 7) group size determines trip length:

Commercial Trips:

        • Group Size (21-30) - Maximum Trip Length : 6 Days (5 nights)
        • Group Size (11-20) - Maximum Trip Length : 7 Days (6 nights)
        • Group Size (1-10) - Maximum Trip Length : 8 Days (7 nights)

Non-Commercial Trips:

        • Group Size (21-30) - Maximum Trip Length : 6 Days (5 nights)
        • Group Size (11-20) - Maximum Trip Length : 7 Days (6 nights)
        • Group Size (1-10) - Maximum Trip Length : 8 Days (7 nights)

 

    • Outside the Lottery Control Season the maximum group size is 30 and the maximum trip length is 10 days.
Agency site http://www.recreation.gov/permits/Salmon_River_4_Rivers/r/wildernessAreaDetails.do?page=detail&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=75533

Full permit page →

Fishing

No fish species have been associated with this run yet.

Points of Interest

Salmon River Lodge Landmark
Legend Creek Pictographs Pictograph
Devils Toe Pictographs Pictograph
River of No Return Lodge Landmark
Hot Spring Hot Spring
Andy Strauss Cabin Site Historical Place
Jim Moore Cabin Historical Place
Frances Zaumiller Pack Bridge Landmark
Pictographs Pictograph
Painter Mine Historical Place
Fivemile Bar (Buckskin Bills) Historical Place

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