Salmon River scenic byway travels from Stanley to Lost Trail Pass on the Idaho-Montana border. The byway is in central Idaho, approximately 130 miles northwest of Boise. It follows ID 75 and US 93 for 161 miles. Both highways are two-lane paved roads safe for travel by all types of vehicles. There are no passing lanes and some tight curves that require slow speeds. Salmon River scenic byway is generally open year-round but extra caution is needed in winter.
The Salmon River scenic drive passes through the Challis and Salmon National Forests and a portion of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Flowing alongside the byway for almost its entire length is the cool blue water of the Salmon River. As the byway travels through forested canyons and valleys, spectacular vistas of the Bitterroot, Salmon River, Lemhi, and Lost River Mountains come into view.
The Challis and Salmon National Forests provide access to the 2.3 million acre Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. There are more acres of roadless wilderness in this region than anywhere else in the lower 48 states. This vast wilderness area offers excellent fishing, hunting, hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding.
Those less interested in the primitive back country experience of the wilderness will find plenty of opportunities for pitching a tent or parking their RV in a developed campground. Numerous public campgrounds are located directly along or a short distance off the byway.
If you’re driving this byway in a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle, you might consider taking a side trip known as the Custer Motorway Adventure Road. This side trip explores the historic Yankee Fork Mining District and will take you past ghost towns and abandoned mining sites of the late 1800s.