Attractions

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Seasons in Riggins

The protective Salmon River canyon, combined with its 1800-foot elevation produces a temperate climate year-round. In any season there is a wide variety of activities for you to enjoy with your family and friends.

Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking

Riggins is Idaho's Whitewater Capital!

Experience whitewater thrills mixed with quiet pools and spectacular scenery. Blast through class 3 waves with family and frinds for a great outdoor adventure. The Salmon River is a "pool and drop" river, meaning that after the rapids there is calm water below, making it the ideal river for families and beginners - yet offering experienced boaters excitement that brings them back for years to come.

The towering cliffs give way to rugged canyon walls and white sandy beaches - you will be amazed! Riggins lies at the "big bend" of the Salmon river, providing a starting point for half day, full day and multi day trips.

For kayakers, down river runs on the Main Salmon and Little Salmon Rivers and their tributaries are World Class. If surfing or playboating is more your style, the Salmon River always offers a favorite spot up or down river depending on the flow.

Fishing

Enjoy a World-Class fishing experience in one of the most beautiful settings anywhere, almost any month of the year!

Steelhead Fishing

The Salmon River is one of the best fisheries in Idaho. These large (adults are 20-40") anadromous trout travel 800 miles from the Pacific to return to the Snake and Salmon Rivers - a truly marvelous feat.

Fish with your group for Steelhead from the bank, from jet boats or enjoy the quiet solitude in a drift boat. Whichever way you choose, the scenery and great fishing will make your day.

Fishing for steelhead spans three seasons - experience each one! The fall, opening in September, brings the fly fisherman to town. The months of October and November are prime months; these hard fighting fish will challenge even the best anglers! During winter months, the steelhead stage in different sections of the river, so book your trip with an outfitter and their guide will lead you to the best holes. In February and March the fish are on the move again providing more great action.

Sturgeon Fishing

For a real thrill, hook into the prehistoric sturgeon ranging up to ten feet in size! Some of these fish are estimated to be over 100 years old. A jet boat trip on the Snake River or Salmon River provides a tremendous opportunity to get up-close to these fish which are catch and release only and may not be removed form the water.

Salmon Fishing

Each spring the Salmon return to the Salmon River and the Little Salmon River to complete their migration. These tackle bending (18-40" in length), line snapping, heavy weights are a challenge to land! If spectating is more your sport, don't forget your camera!

Trout Fishing

Mountain lakes and streams provide fabulous opportunities for the ambitious fisherman or woman.

Jet Boat Adventures

In addition to jet boat trips for steelhead fishing, chukar hunting, and rafting jet backs, scenic trips are also available on the Salmon and Snake Rivers. Jet boats provide a way to access these wilderness areas and see spectacular, untouched mountain scenery, wildlife, and historical homesteads and mining sites.

Snow Sports

While snow rarely falls in Riggins because of our "banana belt" climate, winter activities abound just a couple of miles up the mountains! There are a variety of roads and trails designated for snowmobile use where you can experience the high country and its wonderful winter vistas. Alpine ski and snowboard terrain is available one hour away at Brundage Mountain Resort to the south or Snowhaven to the north. Then return to Riggins to get out of the snow!

Hiking

Trails of all kinds can be found in every direction from Riggins. Choose from a day hike along the Rapid River or get out for several days on miles of trails in the Seven Devils Mountains, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Gospel Hump Wilderness Area, and the Frank Church Wilderness. Dotted with high mountain lakes, clear running streams, and an abundance of wildlife, you can really return to nature in these alpine forests. Outfitters and supplies can be found in Riggins. You can also explore the area on horseback or mountain bike.

Rapid River Salmon Hatchery

In a picturesque canyon, seven miles southwest of Riggins, lies the Rapid River Salmon Hatchery. Every spring in May, thousands of big Chinook salmon start coming back to Rapid River to spawn. The hatchery crew welcomes visitors every day of the year from 8:00am to 4:00pm. The hatchery includes a beautiful day use picnic area.

Hunting

Bird Hunting

Upland game bird hunting includes chukar, Hungarian partridge, pheasant, and grouse. We offer perhaps the most unique and effective way to hunt chukar anywhere. Because of the low elevation of our river corridors and perfect habitat, chukar populations thrive. Hunting them from drift boats and jet boats provides access to the steep rocky terrain they love. Flat benches along the river make for relatively easy hunting. The lower Salmon River has the earliest open season (usually the 3rd weekend in September) in the country.

Big Game Hunting

Surrounded by wilderness, national forests, and steep mountain terrain, Salmon River country offers some of the best big game hunting in the United States. Hunt for trophy elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, cougar, black bear, moose, big horn sheep, or mountain goat.

Remote rugged forests provide vast wildlife habitat. Large blocks of public lands offer easy access to prime hunting areas.

You can hunt effectively with day excursions while staying in town with fine accommodations and friendly hospitality, or camp in the mountains. Do it yourself or hire the professional expertise of the area's outfitters and guides.

Scenic Drives

Scenery and history are available in all directions from Riggins and scenic drives are a wonderful way to experience and photograph this unique country.

The Big Salmon River Road is a 28-mile trip following the Salmon into the wilderness and ends at Vinegar Creek. Along the river corridor, rock hounds will be delighted with the diverse geology, gems such as garnets at Ruby Rapids, and mining history.

Further up the river see why the Salmon is called the "River of No Return". Steep canyon walls and rushing green water rapids have turned back the bravest of expeditions. Up Allison Creek Road you can access the ghost town of Florence where it was believed that up to 10,000 people once lived in this gold mining metropolis. Only a few structures are left standing-be sure to take a map!

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area west of Riggins, includes the Seven Devils Mountains and offers a huge variety of scenic views. This area is accessible from Seven Devils, Race Creek, Cow Creek and Deer Creek Roads. Maps are available from the Hells Canyon visitors center just south of town.