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See all 13 routes on Salmon River

Idaho | Central Idaho / Sawtooth Valley

Salmon RiverStanley to Sunbeam Dam / Yankee Fork Access

A 13-mile Class III-III+ Upper Salmon run from Stanley to the Sunbeam Dam site, with four named access points, highway scouting, and a direct Yankee Fork gauge.

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 13 river miles
DifficultyHard
Typical timeAbout 4-7 hours plus scouting and shuttle
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Salmon River winds through dry mountains north of Challis, Idaho.
River contextSalmon River north of Challis; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Bureau of Land Management via Wikimedia Commons

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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 13 river milesStanley to Sunbeam Dam / Yankee Fork Access
DifficultyhardDifficulty follows the cited manager guide where stated and otherwise is deliberately conservative. Current flow, debris, diversions, weather, and party skill can materially change the trip.
ShuttleCar shuttleHighway 75 follows most of the reach, making scouting straightforward; stage at the small Yankee Fork pull-off and account for the long Stanley shuttle.
PermitsNone notedNo general permit is listed for this reach; follow Sawtooth National Recreation Area/USFS rules, Idaho AIS/PFD requirements, fire restrictions, and current closures.
CampingOptions nearbyRiverBrain lists vehicle-accessible camps near the reach, including Mormon Bend and Casino Creek; use only lawful developed or mapped public sites and carry potable water for the day run.
SeasonMay-SepLate spring through early fall is the normal planning window. Verify snowmelt, releases, fire or fish-protection closures, water temperature, weather, and access status immediately before travel.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A 13-mile Class III-III+ Upper Salmon run from Stanley to the Sunbeam Dam site, with four named access points, highway scouting, and a direct Yankee Fork gauge.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Stanley Put-In
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.

Finish

Take-out

Yankee Fork Access Take-Out
Open mapDirections to take-out

Confirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.

Road shuttle

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Access planner

Choose your launch and take-out

This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.

On-water distance13.0 miMixed access
On-water timeAbout 4-7 hours plus scouting and shuttleFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Stanley Put-In to Yankee Fork Access Take-Out is about 13.0 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
  • Confirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
  • Private banks are common. Do not land, scout, portage, or camp outside a signed public site or manager-designated corridor.

Watch for

  • Shotgun Rapid
  • Sunbeam Rapid and former dam remnants
  • cold water, wood, and angler traffic
  • small Yankee Fork staging area

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Salmon River winds through dry mountains north of Challis, Idaho.
Salmon River north of Challis; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Bureau of Land Management via Wikimedia Commons
U.S. government work / public domain

Score & sources

Why this score

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.

Data status
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteSalmon River below Yankee Fork near Clayton, ID
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
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WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range1,800 cfs to 3,200 cfs
Low threshold600 cfs
High threshold6,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial and local sources
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreRiverBrain recommended levels: 600 cfs minimum, 2,500 cfs average, 6,000 cfs maximum; 1,800-3,200 cfs planning ideal
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Official route corridorStanley to Sunbeam Dam / Yankee Fork Access; About 13 river miles

    BLM/USFS/IDFG Upper Salmon boating guide identifies the endpoint chain, river miles, or managed float corridor.

    Source

  • Public access controlStanley Put-In to Yankee Fork Access Take-Out

    Coordinates represent named public ramps, bank launches, park landings, or an explicitly described staging point.

    Source

  • Direct live gaugeUSGS 13296500 - Salmon River below Yankee Fork near Clayton, ID

    Gauge is on the named waterbody and supplies context only.

    Source

  • Threshold postureGauge-linked range used for live scoring

    The cited route guidance is tied to this gauge and reach; hazards, closures, weather, and local inspection still override the score.

    Source

  • Safety and land managementCurrent manager notices override this record

    RiverBrain rates the run Class III-III+ and identifies Shotgun Rapid and Sunbeam Rapid as the principal features; both can be scouted from river left near Highway 75. The reach is cold, swift, and exposed to wood and anglers. Wear a PFD, carry rescue/repair gear, and leave a daylight margin for the long shuttle and any portage. The Yankee Fork take-out is a primitive pull-off with no ramp, no water, and limited staging; confirm parking and the carry before launching from Stanley. Use RiverBrain's 600-6,000 cfs shoulders with the 2,500 cfs average reference, then defer to current wood, weather, water temperature, closures, and on-site scouting.

    Source

  • Camping classificationendpoint_campground

    RiverBrain lists vehicle-accessible camps near the reach, including Mormon Bend and Casino Creek; use only lawful developed or mapped public sites and carry potable water for the day run.

    Source

  • Photo contextUpper Salmon River same-river context photograph

    The gallery photo is visual context. It may show another part of the same river or watershed and does not show current conditions at every access point.

    Source

  • Overlap decisionRetained as a distinct access-to-access itinerary

    Adjacent cards use different public endpoints and provide a different trip length, hazard set, skill tier, or operating boundary.

    Source

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Idaho

All 137 routes
Idaho route guideBrowse every tracked Idaho route.Central Idaho / Sawtooth ValleyJump to routes in this region.

More on Salmon River

All 13
Bayhorse to Challis BridgeCentral Idaho / ChallisModerate · 8.3 river milesChallis Bridge to Watts BridgeCentral Idaho / Challis ValleyModerate · 14.2 river milesCuster Pullout to Pole Flat CampgroundCentral Idaho / Custer CountyHard · About 7.1 river milesEast Fork Recreation Site to Bayhorse Recreation SiteCentral Idaho / Custer CountyModerate · About 11.7 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Marsh Creek / Middle Fork SalmonState Highway 21 to Dagger Falls · about 17 straight-line mi awayHard · About 16 milesMiddle Fork Salmon RiverMarsh Creek to Boundary Creek · about 18 straight-line mi awayHard · About 15.7 river milesMiddle Fork Salmon RiverBoundary Creek to Cache Bar · about 28 straight-line mi awayHard · About 100 river miles, multi-dayDeadwood RiverDeadwood Reservoir to Julie Creek · about 36 straight-line mi awayHard · About 14.3 river miles to Julie Creek; about 23 miles if continuing to Deadwood Campground

Quick answers

Salmon River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Stanley to Sunbeam Dam / Yankee Fork Access route on the Salmon River?

Paddle Today watches Salmon River below Yankee Fork near Clayton, ID and treats 1,800 cfs to 3,200 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Stanley to Sunbeam Dam / Yankee Fork Access route on the Salmon River start and end?

This route starts at Stanley Put-In and ends at Yankee Fork Access Take-Out, about 13 river miles on the water.

Is the Stanley to Sunbeam Dam / Yankee Fork Access route on the Salmon River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.

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