Riggins is known for it’s rafting, kayaking, hunting and fishing. Located in the northwest section of Idaho, north of Boise, deep in a canyon at the confluence of the Salmon and Little Salmon Rivers.
Riggins, Idaho
Less than 500 people live here at an elevation of 1,821 feet. The locals enjoy the Seven Devils Mountains and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Riggins motto is “Idaho’s Whitewater Capital”. The week we were here it was hot, over 100F every day with several days of 109F. The area was named after their postmaster. There was a sawmill here until 1982, when it burned down after an explosion and fire. There are still quite a few logging trucks in the area.
It was late July, early August but there were some wildflowers and the blackberries were just starting to ripen.
Riverside RV Park, Riggins
This is our first time staying at Riverside RV Park. In the past we stayed a little further north in Whitebird. From Kamiah it was about an hour and half drive to Riggins along the Salmon River. They had 50-amp service, good water pressure, and sewer. Their Internet was mostly fast enough to stream, but intermittently slowed down at night.
There were apple, peach, and apricot trees. Only the apricots were ripe enough to eat and they were delicious.
Their sites are parallel to the Little Salmon River, some partially back in, some across from the river. The owners were friendly and only accepted cash or check, pay for the number of days you stay, nothing ahead of time. $28/night when on the weekly rate which is very cheap for full hookups. The best part was seeing all the grapes growing around the property. They were planted by his father many years ago and are used to make red wine. He lets the locals harvest them for free.
Across the river we frequently spotted this female deer and her fawn. I’m thinking the fawn was about 4 months old and a male with early antler growth.
Seven Devils Steak House
Dinner at Seven Devils Bar & Steak House was entertaining. There were mostly locals just getting off work, so we knew it had to be reasonable.
We ended up going a second time. Good beer, bourbon, shrimp and tacos. The bartender and owners were very friendly.
Heavens Gate Lookout
We drove Seven Devils Road to a Fire Tower in Heavens Gate Recreation area. We went from an altitude of 1,821 to 8,429 feet.
Along the way we came across cattle grazing in the pine trees. Jake thought that was great.
We met a husband and wife who worked for the US Forest Service each year at the tower. They spend the summer here. They bring their 5th wheel up, and work in the tower during the day, then stay in their camper at night, only going into Riggins about once a week for provisions. In Riggins, it was 109F, but at the Fire Tower is was a cool 70F. They showed us what they did to spot fires, how to calculate the position with the Osborne Fire Finder, and what life was like living so remote. They invited us up into the tower and offered Jake water and a cookie. Spoiled dog.
Because of the elevation and lower temperature, there were still wildflowers blooming.
From the fire tower, four different states can be seen; Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana.
It was about a quarter mile hike through an old burn area to the tower.
Salmon River
The Salmon River flows for 425 miles through central Idaho. It runs through isolated rugged canyons and has yet to be damned.
The Salmon River is popular for steelhead trout fishing and rafting.
Riggins had an elk farm and their meat could be purchased at a local butcher. Unfortunately, our freezer went out, so we couldn’t store any.
Jake made a new friend along the road.
