Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness, Federal wilderness area in central Idaho, United States
The area spans 2.3 million acres across six national forests, featuring the Salmon River Mountains, deep canyons, and extensive whitewater rivers.
The United States Congress established this protected zone in 1980 and named it after Senator Frank Church in 1984 for his conservation efforts.
The Salmon River earned its 'No Return' name from early settlers who could only navigate downstream through the challenging rapids and fast waters.
Visitors access the wilderness through 296 maintained trails covering 2,616 miles, with 32 forest service roads leading to 66 trailheads.
The wilderness maintains 26 operational airstrips and permits jet boats on the Salmon River, exceptions to standard wilderness regulations.
Location: Idaho
Inception: 1980
Operator: United States Forest Service
Website: https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=194
GPS coordinates: 45.06530,-114.95400
Latest update: May 27, 2025 07:04
Idaho's remote locations offer access to diverse landscapes ranging from alpine lakes nestled in mountain ranges to volcanic formations and high desert terrain. The state contains geological features formed over thousands of years, including lava tubes that preserve ice year-round, sand dunes rising hundreds of feet, and one of North America's deepest river canyons. Historic mining towns preserve architecture from the silver boom era, while natural hot springs dot the landscape alongside waterfalls that cascade through forested valleys. These destinations span from the granite spires of City of Rocks National Reserve, where climbers tackle routes on 600-foot rock formations, to Priest Lake in the northern forests, stretching 19 miles through conifer-covered wilderness. Visitors can explore the black lava fields of Craters of the Moon, spanning over 1,100 square miles, or descend into caves where ice formations persist despite surface temperatures. The Snake River carves through Hell's Canyon at depths reaching 7,900 feet, creating opportunities for rafting and fishing. Whether hiking to Sawtooth Lake at 8,800 feet elevation, observing stars from an observatory at Bruneau Dunes State Park, or walking through the Victorian streets of Wallace, these locations provide experiences across Idaho's varied terrain.
Lake Cascade
104.2 km
Goldbug Hot Springs
82.6 km
Ponderosa State Park
89.7 km
Custer
78.2 km
Bayhorse
90 km
Thompson Peak
102.9 km
Deadwood Reservoir
101.8 km
Gospel Hump Wilderness
85.1 km
Polly Bemis House
69.5 km
Lake Cascade State Park
105.8 km
Land of the Yankee Fork State Park
88.1 km
Leesburg, Idaho
68.3 km
Mount Regan
101.2 km
Mickey's Spire
103.3 km
Mount Carter
103.2 km
Gold Point Mill
86.8 km
Arctic Point Fire Lookout
46 km
Odd Fellows Hall
84.3 km
Lemhi County Courthouse
83.7 km
Col. E. M. Heigho House
104.9 km
Deep Creek Ranger Station
73.5 km
Elo School
89.3 km
Salmon City Hall and Library
84.3 km
Ivan W. Day House
88.7 km
Matt Ruatsale Homestead
90 km
Thomas Chivers House
84.4 km
Gust Laituri Homestead
91.4 km
Nickolai Wargelin Homestead
90 kmReviews
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