Materials for all Middle Fork of the Salmon Group Members to Review

This page is intended for all members of a group to review. The permit holder is responsible for ensuring that their group has read this information. The permit holder is also responsible for ensuring that their group will follow the rules and guidelines described below.

Scroll down for information on the following topics:

  • Checking in and Boat Inspection
  • Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention
  • Drinking Water
  • Gray Water and Food/Kitchen Waste
  • Soap and Toothpaste
  • Garbage and Recycling
  • Human Waste (and Dogs too)
  • Camping
  • Use of Firepan and Fire Blanket
  • Dogs
  • Cultural Resources
  • Wildlife
  • Fishing and Hunting
  • Use of Drones is Prohibited
  • Ending your trip at Cache Bar
  • Above All – Be Courteous 

Checking In and Boat Inspection

Boats must be inspected and tagged by Forest Service personnel prior to being put in the water!

Boaters can arrive the afternoon prior to their launch date to begin the check-in process with Forest Service personnel. Do NOT put your boat in the water without a tag.

If launching from Boundary Creek, become familiar with the Boundary Creek Ramp Etiquette.

Please be courteous, considerate, and patient at the launch sites.

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention

Boats must be CLEAN, DRAINED, and DRY when arriving at the launch sites. Forest Service will inspect your boat prior to issuing your boat tag. You may be asked to clean your boat, if needed.

Idaho State Boating Law requires that all vessels display the Aquatic Invasive Species Permit Sticker to legally launch and operate on Idaho waters. Inflatable, non-motorized vessels less than 10 feet long are exempt. Go to Idaho's Invasive Species web page for vendor locations, to purchase your sticker(s) online, to locate inspection stations, and for additional information. You can also call 800-247-6332 for assistance and purchase options. 

Stickers must be obtained before arriving at the launch site. Proof of purchase (e.g., receipt) is sufficient to meet this requirement. 

What is an invasive species?

An invasive species is defined as a plant, animal, or microbe, including its seeds, eggs, spores or other biological material that is non-native to the ecosystem. The goal of the Salmon-Challis National Forest invasive species program is to reduce, minimize or eliminate the potential for introduction, establishment, spread, and impact of invasive species. Aquatic invasive species that are of the most concern to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River are New Zealand mudsnails, Hydrilla, curlyleaf pond weed, zebra mussels, quagga mussels, and whirling disease. Preventing these invasive species that are of most concern will also prevent other species.

How can you prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species?

The small size of some of these species make them very easy to overlook and accidentally transport to new locations.

To minimize the potential spread, follow these simple steps:

  • CHECK all recreational gear and clothing that has come in contact with water for any visible signs of sand, mud, or plant fragments which may indicate a tiny hitchhiker.
  • CLEAN all gear before leaving a site by scrubbing with a brush and rinsing with water.
  • DRAIN all of the water from your boat, trailer, tackle and gear before leaving the area.
  • DISINFECT your gear (especially waders and boots) before traveling to a different water body. Freeze your gear for a minimum of 6 hours (< 26°F), soak gear in a hot water bath for 5 minutes (≥ 120°F) (not recommended for Gortex), or soak gear in undiluted Formula 409 for at least 10 minutes.
  • DRY your gear completely (at least 48 hours) after each use.
  • NEVER transport live fish or any other aquatic plant or animal from one water body to another – it is illegal!
  • RESEARCH aquatic invasive species in areas you have been recreating to understand what species could potentially be on your boat or gear.

Follow this link for our flyer on Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention in the Middle Fork of the Salmon River: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd749371.pdf

Drinking Water

The Forest Service maintains potable water systems at Boundary Creek and Indian Creek Guard Stations. Check the Middle Fork of the Salmon (4 Rivers) page on Recreation.gov where we will post updates if water is NOT available at these locations. 

Do not drink untreated water. Filter, boil at least 30 minutes, or treat chemically.

Gray Water and Food/Kitchen Waste

Use your strainer to filter out all food particles from your dishwater and cans. Use the buckets to catch the liquid wastes, then toss the water over a broad area above the high-water mark after doing dishes (the soap and bleach help with odors).

Grease and/or oily wastes should be burned or packed out. Do not pour any grease into streams. Pack it out using a sealed container, or burn it in your fire pan.

Protect Wildlife

Food attracts ants, bees, and other critters, including bears. Use a napkin or paper plate to catch food particles, including crumbs, to avoid attracting wildlife and insects. To reduce the temptation for animals to seek out and snack on your food, put away all food and drink items following mealtimes and ensure that storage containers are tightly closed. Please do not feed the wildlife. A fed bear is a dead bear, and our food can spoil the squirrels’ stash of natural foodstuffs.

Avoid pouring out any drinks on the ground, except water. Designate a bucket for unfinished drinks and liquids, and as long as there is no grease or soap in the liquid, you can pour it into the current.

Soap and Toothpaste

Use any soap products, including toothpaste, well above the high-water mark. This is true even for biodegradable soap. Liquids (leftover pop, coffee, etc.) should be diluted and put into the current.

Toothpaste should be diluted then spit above the high-water mark. Diluting prevents white toothpaste splotches around the camps.

Garbage and Recycling

Trash: it’s the little things that count. With 10,000 people floating through this 104-mile stretch of river, if each person left a twist-tie, a cigarette butt, or a gum wrapper, you can imagine what the camps would look like after a month or so. After you have the boats packed, but before you leave camp, have your group do a thorough search for micro-trash, and don’t forget to check tree branches for items that may have been hung up. Leave campsites clean and natural looking.

Garbage dumpsters are available at the Newland Ranch site.

An aluminum recycling station is also available at the Newland Ranch site for your convenience. Proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House of Idaho for the benefit of sick or injured children.

Human Waste (and Dogs too)

Urine should go into the river or on the wet sand at the river’s edge. For the more modest folks, or for use at night, offer a pee bucket (no TP in the bucket), then dump the urine into the current, not in the eddy or slack water.

Solid waste goes in the porta-potty. If you take any dogs, pack out their feces too. Keep a garbage bag near the potty. Do not put anything in the potty except feces and toilet paper. DO NOT put wipes (not even flushable wipes), tampons, sanitary napkins, sand, ashes, kitty litter, or other foreign matter, in the porta-potty, as these will clog the SCAT machine and create costly repairs and down time. 

Helpful hint: Before loading on the morning of your take-out, add some water to your porta-potty. The sloshing action of the boats and the vehicles helps loosen materials and makes the unit easier to clean at the SCAT machine.

The SCAT machine is installed at Newland Ranch (Newland Ranch Map), one mile downriver from the North Fork Ranger Station. This machine dumps and sanitizes 20mm ammo cans, 5-gallon buckets, and high-tech toilets, operating somewhat like a giant dishwasher. Operation of the machine is free (paid by your recreation use fees), but you will need to supply the straps. An RV dump station port is also available for porta-potties that are not compatible with the SCAT machine.

If your porta-potty contains anything but toilet paper and human/pet waste, you cannot use the SCAT machine. Please notify the North Fork Ranger District if there are any problems or issues that need corrected at Newland Ranch.

Camping

Camp in the assigned camps listed on the permit. All group members must camp together. Although assigned to boating parties, this does not imply exclusive use. You may need to share with other Forest users. 

Use of Firepan and Fire Blanket

Fires must be built in a firepan. Carry out ashes.

It is a good idea to use some type of grill with legs to set cook-pots on. Barbecue grills make good cooking surfaces.

Bottle or liquid gas stoves may be used but must be accompanied by a firepan and ash container. 

Driftwood to fuel your campfire is often plentiful. Gather only what you will use while in the camp. Avoid creating large piles of driftwood at camps. Gather only dead and down wood (wood that is on the ground). Cutting standing trees (live or dead) is prohibited.

We recommend that you carry a supply of charcoal for your firepan, in case the camps have been cleaned of wood, or fire restrictions go into effect. During periods of extreme wildfire danger, open fires may be restricted to charcoal only in your firepans, or complete closure to open fires.

Recommendations for using your firepan:

  • Before the fire is built, elevate pan off the ground three to four inches by using small rocks. This will prevent the scorching of vegetation or leaving a hot spot in the sand for someone to step on.
  • Place a ½-inch layer of sand or dirt on the bottom of the pan. This prevents pan burnout and lengthens the life of your firepan.
  • Use small wood for your morning fire. Let your fire burn down as completely as possible.
  • Scoop ashes into ash container. Pour and stir a small amount of water into ashes to dampen. This procedure will cool down any hot ashes that are left. Pouring water into the firepan causes the pan to warp.
  • When you rebuild your fire, place the dampened ashes into your firepan in place of the sand or dirt. Repeating this procedure every day continually burns the old ashes to a fine powder.
  • Do not burn plastics or metal. These are likely to produce toxic fumes and it is a violation of Idaho State Law.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed on the Middle Fork, but they need to be under control at the guard stations, launches, and take-outs. Clean up after your dogs. Do not allow your pets to chase wildlife (including squirrels and chipmunks) or to dig holes. Also, keep them out of the poison ivy to prevent the oils from transferring to their coats and then onto you. For more information, please go to the Handle with Care! Kids and Dogs on the River brochure.

Cultural Resources

Must-Watch Video for All Participants

The Antiquities Act prohibits the casual collection of artifacts. Artifacts that you see are for everyone. Protect and leave all archeological artifacts and natural features intact. Take only pictures and memories. Leave only footprints.

Do not touch the pictographs. The oil on your fingers will break down the paints.

Wildlife

We’re in their house. Avoid disturbing the animals, and take precautions to eliminate surprise meetings, such as with snakes, bears, cougars, wolves, etc. Beware of bees and yellowjackets, and wear protection against ticks and mosquitoes, just to name a few.

Fishing and Hunting

Fishing on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and its tributaries is mostly catch-and-release, using only artificial flies and lures with one barbless hook. The use of live bait is prohibited. Please refer to the Idaho Fish and Game regulations for specifics. A valid Idaho fishing license is required. These are available at most sporting goods and some convenience stores statewide. They are not available at the launch sites. For more hunting and fishing information, contact the Idaho Department of Fish & Game, 1-800-635-7820, or http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/.

Chukar Hunters: Please dispose of game waste in your garbage and pack it out. Do not leave a mess behind, especially in or near camps, which can attract insects and animals.

Use of Drones is Prohibited

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River runs through the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness. The use of Drones (Unmanned Aircraft Systems or UAS) is not allowed within wilderness. Drones are considered to be aircraft and are both “motorized equipment” and “mechanical transport”. As such, these aircraft cannot take off from, land in, or be operated from, congressionally-designated Wilderness Areas. To learn more, see the USDA Forest Service’s Recreational Drone Tips , and visit Unmanned Aircraft Systems on the FAA’s site.

Ending your Trip at Cache Bar Boat Ramp

You have just experienced an amazing trip down the canyons of the Middle Fork! Showing up at Cache Bar can already be an emotional wave train, but you can make it a better experience with being prepared as you show up to the ramp.

Here are some handy tips and expectations for the Cache Bar Boat Ramp:

  • The boat ramp area at Cache Bar can get VERY congested at times. Middle Fork floaters can expect high take-out use at the boat ramp between 9:00 am and 11:00 am from mid-June to mid-August. Although not guaranteed, taking out in the afternoon or early morning is often less congested.

  • Communicate with other groups while on the river about take-out plans and begin formulating a de-rigging plan with your group before arriving to Cache Bar.

  • There are three areas/lanes at the boat ramp. Two or three groups should be able to de-rig at the same time. Break down as efficiently as possible and do not stay on the ramp longer than needed.

  • Floaters can save money and ease ramp/parking issues by choosing to have the least number of vehicles needed on the trip. Please consider bringing fewer vehicles to the take-out. Groups could also explore talking to the shuttle companies and see if unneeded vehicles could be shuttled to Salmon or North Fork rather than all the way to Cache Bar.

Above All - Be Courteous 

There are over 10,000 people recreating within this area every summer. You will see other people, and they are here to enjoy this special place too. Patience and courtesy are encouraged.

All groups are welcome to stop at any of the camps to view cultural resources, visit the hot springs, etc. We do ask that groups not stay in or visit these camps after 7 p.m. as a courtesy to the group that has been assigned there.

The same goes for loud music. Please keep it down after 7 p.m.

If a sweep boat is behind you, let them pass. They are heavy, so they travel faster than other craft, and they cannot brake.

Observe all local, state, and Federal laws and regulations. 

Public nudity is prohibited.