Main Fork Salmon River

Early explorers dubbed the Main Salmon the "River of No Return," and today it flows through the largest contiguous area of protected wilderness in the continental United States, the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area. A trip down this river takes you into the heart of north-central Idaho's forested hinterlands, encompassing the foothills of the Sawtooth and Bitterroot mountains, pristine sandy beaches, and possible sightings of deer, elk, bears, and bighorn sheep (especially during the animals' spring and fall migrations between their winter and summer ranges). As if all that wasn't enough, you'll be cutting through the second deepest gorge in North America, dropping over 1,000 feet through more than 40 Class III-IV rapids. Reservations are recommended for summer rafting trips. Family day trips, through 12 miles of fun but not overwhelming rapids, are also available on the Main Salmon near Stanley, Idaho, with great views of the Sawtooth Mountains.