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Middle Fork Salmon River Permit

Wilderness Permit

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Overview

Float permit for the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, 104 miles through the Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness in central Idaho. One of North America's premier multi-day whitewater trips -- Class III-IV rapids, natural hot springs, fly fishing (catch-and-release), prehistoric rock art, and the third-deepest canyon on the continent. Non-motorized only. Permit required year-round from Dagger Falls to the confluence with the Main Salmon. Single launch point tracked here: Boundary Creek (division 377). ~10,000 people float the river annually. Max 7 parties launch per day (commercial + private combined).

Bottom Line

The lottery is the primary path to a control-season launch. Applications open December 1 -- January 31 each year; results announced February 14; winners must confirm by March 15 or lose the reservation. Only one lottery application per person allowed -- submitting more than one bans you from holding a permit for three years. Unconfirmed lottery slots and post-March 15 cancellations release on March 16 at 8:00 AM MT as FCFS. After that, control-season cancellations appear randomly within 24 hours. Pre/post season dates (before May 28, after Sep 3) open October 1 at 8:00 AM MT on a rolling FCFS basis. Cancellation monitoring is effective for both shoulder season and control-season pickups. The 21-day cancellation penalty window means most freed control-season dates appear 3+ weeks out.

Lottery and Reservations

Control season (May 28 -- Sep 3):

  • Lottery applications: Dec 1 -- Jan 31
  • Results: Feb 14
  • Confirmation deadline: Mar 15
  • Unconfirmed/cancelled lottery slots released: Mar 16, 8:00 AM MT (FCFS)
  • Post-Mar 16 cancellations: randomly released within 24 hours
  • One application per person, one permit per person during control season
  • Duplicate applications result in a 3-year ban

Shoulder season (before May 28 / after Sep 3):

  • FCFS reservations open Oct 1, 8:00 AM MT for the following year
  • Multiple permits per person allowed outside control season
  • Max group size 24, max trip length 8 days

Group Size and Trip Length

During control season, group size determines max trip length (regardless of put-in location):

  • 1--10 people: up to 8 days (7 nights)
  • 11--20 people: up to 7 days (6 nights)
  • 21--24 people: up to 6 days (5 nights)

Outside control season: max 24 people, max 8 days.

Aug 8 -- Sep 15 (Chinook spawning): max 12 watercraft per permit.

Fees

  • $6 non-refundable reservation/lottery application fee
  • $4/person/day recreation fee (all floaters)
  • Interagency Senior/Access Pass: 50% discount on recreation fee
  • Salmon Rivers Season Pass ($40/year): recreation fee waived for passholder
  • America the Beautiful Annual Pass does not discount recreation fees

Permit Issuance

This is not a print-at-home permit. The River Office emails permits 5--6 days before launch. You must finalize reservation details (group members, watercraft, trip length) and submit your camp request form at least 7 days before launch. Print, sign, and carry the issued permit for the entire trip. Permit holder must be 18+ and present with the group at all times.

If you pick up a cancellation fewer than 14 days before launch, contact the River Office immediately to request camps and get a permit: sm.fs.middlefork@usda.gov or 208-481-2625.

Cancellation Policy

  • Control season: cancel at least 21 days before launch (by 11:59 PM MT) to avoid penalty
  • Shoulder season: cancel at least 3 days before launch
  • Late cancellation or no-show: 3-year ban from holding a permit on this river
  • $6 reservation fee never refunded; recreation fees refunded on timely cancellation
  • Exception: if water exceeds 5.0 ft, Boundary Creek road is closed, or you booked within 21 days of launch, you may cancel up to 3 days before without late penalty

Required Equipment

Every group must carry (even kayakers, with size allowances):

  • Portable toilet (bag systems allowed for self-support kayak trips only)
  • Metal firepan (min 144 sq in, 3-in sides) -- required even if no fire planned
  • Fire blanket
  • Metal ash container with sealable lid
  • Mesh strainer (fine enough for coffee grounds)
  • Shovel and bucket
  • Idaho Aquatic Invasive Species sticker on each applicable watercraft

All boats must be clean, drained, and dry at launch. Forest Service inspects and tags every boat before it enters the water.

Availability