enjoying scenic drives
Salmon River Road
One of Idaho’s Most Beautiful Drives… Just 12 Miles from Pinehurst Resort
If you love scenic drives, breathtaking river views, and discovering hidden gems along the way, don’t miss Salmon River Road. Although its official name is Big Salmon Road, the road is commonly marked simply as “Salmon River Road,” making it easy to find from Riggins.
Following the legendary Salmon River for nearly 27 miles, this unforgettable drive winds through towering canyon walls before ending at Vinegar Creek, the gateway to the spectacular Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness. Every mile offers another reason to slow down, pull over, and simply enjoy the beauty of Idaho.
🏖️ Beautiful Sandy Beaches
Several public beaches invite you to spend the day relaxing beside the river.
Popular stops include Shorts Bar and Island Bar, where families spread out blankets, swim, skip rocks, build sand castles, launch boats, or simply enjoy the peaceful sound of the Salmon River. These are wonderful places for a picnic or an afternoon of doing absolutely nothing. Shorts Bar Recreation Site and Island Bar are favorites with both locals and visitors.
🎣 A Fisherman’s Paradise
The Salmon River is famous for its incredible fishing opportunities.
Depending on the season, anglers come from around the country in search of steelhead, Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, bass, and sturgeon. Even if you don’t fish yourself, you’ll enjoy watching guides launch drift boats and jet boats while eagles soar overhead.
🚤 Boat Launches & River Access
Throughout the drive you’ll find numerous river access points and boat launches.
Many visitors launch fishing boats, rafts, kayaks, and jet boats here before exploring one of America’s last great free-flowing rivers. Vinegar Creek marks the upper launch area for many wilderness river adventures.
🌉 Historic Bridges & Picture Stops
One of the joys of Salmon River Road is that there is no hurry.
Cross historic bridges, stop at scenic overlooks, read interpretive signs about the area’s mining and pioneer history, and enjoy countless photo opportunities. Every curve reveals another postcard-worthy view of the river and surrounding mountains.
🦬 Local Flavor Along the Way
Before heading out, stop by Mountain View Specialty Meats.
It’s a favorite stop for travelers looking to pick up delicious elk jerky, bison products, smoked meats, snack sticks, and other road-trip treats before continuing deeper into the canyon.
If you’re visiting during rodeo season, you’ll also pass the famous Riggins Rodeo Grounds, home to one of Idaho’s favorite small-town rodeos.
🫐 Nature Around Every Corner
Keep your eyes open as you explore.
Depending on the season, you’ll discover colorful wildflowers, patches of wild berries, soaring bald eagles, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, and countless opportunities to simply pull over and enjoy the silence. It’s the kind of drive where the journey truly is the destination.
❤️ A Favorite Pinehurst Resort Day Trip
Many of our guests tell us this becomes the highlight of their vacation.
Pack a picnic, bring your camera, and give yourself plenty of time. You never know which beach, overlook, fishing hole, or quiet bend in the river will become your favorite memory of visiting Pinehurst Resort.
LOCAL FISHING
KAYAKING & RAFTING
HELLS CANYON
LOCAL HIKING TRAILS
Events in the Riggins – New Meadows- McCall Area
Riggins Event Calendar
The event calendar for the coming year in Riggins, Idaho includes the Annual Riggins Rodeo, Women with Bait Fishing Tournament, Salmon River Jet Boat Races, Cowboy Breakfast, Sacred Salmon Ceremony and Hot Summer Nights. Check out the full calendar by clicking
New Meadows Calendar
The event calendar for the coming year in New Meadows, Idaho includes “Meadows Valley Days”, an annual event to celebrate the heritage of Meadows Valley. Car show, Parade, BBQ, and Amatuer Logging Competition and more. Check out the full calendar by clicking below.
McCall Calendar
The event calendar for the coming year in McCall, Idaho includes 4th Annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Lot fundraiser, Community Tree Lighting, Special Needs Ice Skating Event, Summerfest 2021 Classical and Pops Music Festival and so much more. Check out the full calendar by clicking below.
Google Reviews
Guest Reviews
Average of 4.6 out of 5 Stars
"Super clean and quiet for the right price. We had our RV right on the river with full hook ups, where we could relax, read a book, catch some fish, have a fire, play games, or take a nap in the hammock, We could not have asked for anything more enjoyable. The owners were very accommodating and pleasant."
"Right down river from papa styles leather and lil salmon fire pans. This place is amazing!"
"This place was amazing! The cabins were clean the people are nice. It's right next to a river. Great for fishing and even swimming in! Can't wait to go again!"
"Clean, Cute & well stocked cabins. We had a great family reunion here and hope to return again next year. The owners were so nice we invited them to eat dinner with us our last night there."
"This is a favorite place to visit. The owners are so nice and accommodating. They have RV Spots or the cutest little cabins ever. Right next to the river, the sound of the river is so relaxing and peaceful. They have fun fire pits and they even provide the forewood for a very low cost."
"I would love to give these guys a 10 star rating beautiful individual cabins for more than fair prices and tent spaces and rv spaces. It was a beautiful settings each cabin was a different theme, and Vicky and Keith were very accommodating and sweet. We stayed 5 days it was peaceful day and night. We will be back soon. There were 11 of us and everyone felt the Peace and Joy there!"
"Absolute peace and tranquillity. The BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE. Nesteled in a little corner of Heaven. Waking to the sounds of nature and water as it caresses the rocks and stones. Awe who could ask for more! Great prices. Family oriented. Pet friendly. Very clean. Comfy cabins. Positive energy flows at Pinehurst Resort! You are cheating yourself if you do not visit."
"Fun times with my family!"
"Beautiful location next to the river. Grounds well kept and we wanted for nothing during our stay. The owners were very friendly and helpful. He gave us some really good advice about local attractions; my kids loved the fish hatchery he told us about!"