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U.S. Forest Service · ID

Main Salmon River Permit — River of No Return (Four Rivers Lottery)

Multi-day wilderness float on the Wild section of the Main Salmon from Corn Creek to Long Tom Bar. Control-season launches (Jun 20-Sep 7) are issued by the recreation.gov Four Rivers lottery and are extremely competitive.

Permit requiredovernightMulti-day wilderness whitewater79 mi
Access requirement

2 ways to get a permit

Four Rivers Lottery (2026 control season)Lottery

Applications accepted Dec 1 through Jan 31; successful applicants notified Feb 14 and must confirm by Mar 15. Trip window: 2026-06-20 → 2026-09-07.

Opens: Dec 1, 2025Apply by: Jan 31, 2026Results: Feb 14, 2026Confirm by: Mar 15, 2026
Apply on official siteVerified · Jun 22, 2026Available this season
Post-lottery cancellation releases (2026 control season)Timed release

Launches unconfirmed by Mar 15 are released Mar 16 at 8:00 AM Mountain Time; later cancellations are released randomly within 24 hours. Check recreation.gov for live availability. Trip window: 2026-06-20 → 2026-09-07.

Opens: Mar 16, 2026
Apply on official siteVerified · Jun 22, 2026Available this season
Permit rules
QuotaDuring the control season (Jun 20-Sep 7) a maximum of eight float-boat parties (commercial and non-commercial combined) may launch per day from Corn Creek.
Group1-30 people; trip length is tiered by group size (1-10 people up to 8 days, 11-20 up to 7 days, 21-30 up to 6 days).
Fees$6.00 non-refundable lottery/reservation fee per application, plus $4.00 per person per day (or a valid Salmon Rivers Season Pass).
TransferPermit holder must be at least 18 years old; only one permit per person per control-season lottery cycle.
SafetyRemote Class III-IV wilderness whitewater with no road access along the corridor; self-rescue and multi-day self-sufficiency are required.
Where to stay

Campgrounds nearby

Official campground records near this destination. Availability is labeled with the source actually checked.

Wendover Campground

10.7 miles away · ID

Availability not checked

Not reservable online

Availability: Unavailable

HORSE HEAVEN CABIN

21.3 miles away · MT · 1 sites

No openings found

Reservable · The cabin rental fee is $25 per night, for up to five consecutive nights. Golden age/access discounts do not apply at this site. The cabin can be reserved up to 180 days in advance.

Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 30—Aug 31—
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

MAGRUDER RANGERS HOUSE

23.0 miles away · MT · 1 sites

No openings found

Reservable · The cabin rental fee is $100 per night, for up to four consecutive nights. No Golden Age/Access discounts apply at this site. The cabin can be reserved up to 180 days in advance.

Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 30—Aug 31—
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

ALTA CAMPGROUND

25.6 miles away · MT · 14 sites

4 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 285Aug 296Aug 308Aug 318
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site