Salmon-Challis National Forest

The earliest known inhabitants of the area were the Sheepeaters, a local band of the Shoshone Indians, who lived along the Salmon River. Their name derives from the bighorn sheep, which was part of the band's diet. There are no known descendants of this band. The Flatheads and Nez Perce Indians spent winters in the Salmon River country. Lemhi Indian Reservation, established in 1875, was home for 700 Shoshone, Bannock, and Sheepeater Indians. Chief Tendoy was the leader of the reservation. The town of Salmon was also the birthplace of Sacajawea, famed guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which passed through here in 1805. Later, a number of trappers, traders, and missionaries came to the area from 1819 to 1865. Kit Carson and Jedediah Smith were among them. The discovery of gold in Napias Creek in 1866 brought permanent residents to the area.

Gold strikes were responsible for the towns of Shoup, Gibbonsville, and Leesburg. Other mining activities resulted in the establishment of Gilmore and Cobalt. Salmon was originally started as a supply center for Leesburg. A considerable number of Civil War veterans and Chinese were engaged in mining activities.

Cattle raising was the main economic pursuit after mining decreased. Other agricultural commodities of the late 19th century were sheep, dairy products, garden produce, fruit, and grain.

Congress established the River of No Return Wilderness in July 1980. The name was later changed to the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. The wilderness encompasses 2.36 million acres (slightly larger than Yellowstone National Park) and is the largest designated wilderness in the United States outside of Alaska. It extends 97 miles along the Salmon River and includes portions of six National Forests.