Idaho’s Most Underrated National Forest You Need to Visit

I grew up in Utah, not far from some of the Beehive State’s most popular national parks. This area is truly an outdoor lover's paradise, and I felt like I’d never find anywhere nearly as spectacular — until I moved to Idaho. The Gem State is home to rugged mountains, alpine lakes, the rolling hills of the Palouse, and vast wilderness where you truly can feel one with nature. While many breathtaking natural areas dot the Gem State, there’s nothing quite like Idaho’s Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.

The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is certainly a destination worth celebrating and admiring. It is located in central Idaho and encompasses more than 2.3 million acres. In fact, it is the largest contiguous wilderness in the Lower 48. To put it in perspective, the entire state of Delaware could fit within this wilderness area — and then some.

Fun fact: This wilderness area was named in 1984 after Frank Church, an Idaho senator who spent much of his career protecting and improving Idaho’s wilderness.  

Because of its incredible size, you can expect to find extraordinary natural wonders within its borders. For example, four National Forests are located within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness: Salmon-Challis, Bitterroot, Nez Perce, and Payette. It is also home to the Salmon River Mountains, Clearwater Mountain, and the Bighorn Crags. Within these mountains, you’ll find countless hiking trails, including the popular Langer Lake Trail near Stanley.

The Salmon River Canyon is a natural feature that shows the beauty and grandeur found within this wilderness area. The Salmon River Canyon is one of North America's deepest gorges — it is one-fifth of a mile deeper than the Grand Canyon. The Salmon River, also known as “The River of No Return,” flows through this canyon and actually runs for more than 100 miles through this wilderness area. It is not only a popular place for fishing but also for kayaking, canoeing, and whitewater rafting.

But the remarkable natural features aren’t the only things found within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Artifacts of the Shoshone and Nez Perce Indians, early fur trappers, miners, and homestead settlements have also been discovered in the area. This destination certainly has quite a story to tell — it’s so much more than a place with unmatched beauty.

Because this is a protected wilderness area, rules and regulations are heavily enforced. Some of these regulations include no use of mechanized or motorized equipment, including bicycles or motorboats. Additionally, the use of drones is not allowed. Hunting and fishing are allowed under state regulations.

It is also important when exploring this area, whether via the water or on the land (such as on one of the many trails), that you leave no trace. Stay on all trails, camp only in designated campgrounds, pack out all garbage, do not feed wildlife, etc.

Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is one of the many gems that make Idaho a truly remarkable place to call home. It’s a blessing — just one more treasure found in the Gem State. If you're thinking of making the trip, we think you'll love it! And if you're looking for even more things to do in the area, head over to our itinerary planner for nearby recommendations.