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.

AREA ACTIVITIES

Whether you are a serious outdoorsman or a casual weekend adventurer, there's something for everyone!

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

FULL EVENT CALENDAR

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.

FULL EVENT CALENDAR

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.

FULL EVENT CALENDAR

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."

Legend

"Right down river from papa styles leather and lil salmon fire pans. This place is amazing!"

Rocky Ridges

"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!"

Noemi Garza

"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."

Thad Farmer

"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."

Rent For Fun RV

"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!"

Shawna Bolley

"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."

Joyce Guinn

"Fun times with my family!"

Yvonne Wiggerman

"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!"

Jessica Powell

SEE MORE REVIEWS ON GOOGLE

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Landen 
 11 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mmmmmmmm the best place ever
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Gene Douglas 
 20 July 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wow!   This is the perfect place for a large family vacation/reunion.  There is something for everyone, cabins, permanent RVs to rent, and one or two camp sites to bring your own RV.

We stayed at Pinehurst Resort last week on a family vacation with friends.

Keith and Vicki are incredible hosts and owners.  The put up with our teenagers playing volleyball outside their house until 1130 most nights we were there.  Keith even stopped what he was doing and helped me with an issue I was having with the axle on my RV, so I could make the long safe drive home the next day.

I can’t say enough good things about this little slice of heaven they have built.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Brett Jackson 
 1 July 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Keith and Vicki were super friendly and there quiet little oasis was a great place to stay for the weekend. I was in the area for a hunt test for my dog and this was a great place to stay. I sent all of my family a video of the property and they all said it looked "dreamy!" I would highly recommend staying here to anyone. My dog and I stayed in cabin 4. You can tell they really care about the property because it is very well kept and welcoming! Next time I am in the area, I will for sure give Keith and Vicki a call!! Thank you!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Deborah Savell 
 14 June 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. AMAZING!! Stayed here with family a few years back. We rented out the two largest cabins for about 1 week. Great place to relax, swim, fish, and just have a great time!! Yeah cell and internet service sucks but what do you expect when you are in the mountains!! We will definitely be staying here again!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Cyndi Reeves 
 25 May 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hwy 95 at milepost 182 is where you will find this little slice of heaven.Relax to the sounds of the little salmon river, play some volleyball or horseshoes, This is a family owned business and the owners are friendly and helpful.
The cabins are very comfortable and stocked with dishes and cookware, fresh eggs are even available!
Three cabins are dog friendly, so pack up the pups
Be sure to stop in New Meadows or head into Riggins for groceries as the little store is no longer open.
Don't hesitate to call and make a reservation if you're looking for a great getaway!
Be sure to say Hi to Sam the dog!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Daniel The napper 
 26 February 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Beautiful place on the little Salmon River clean with courteous owners
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Steve Swift 
 13 December 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The owners are super nice. The cabins are clean and decorated with rustic cabin charm. Well appointed for preparing food. I was very satisfied 😃
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Joni Mansfield 
 23 September 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We will definitely be back. We stayed in cabin #3. It was cute and cozy, just right for my husband and I. Beautiful spot and quiet escape from our fast life,  only 2.5 hours from home.
Next time we will bring a bigger frying pan, as the 2 are extremely tiny and we'll used, extra towels as 2 is not enough, and coffee filters. It has a coffee maker and coffee but no filters. The store is 15 miles away.
These things aside, we will be back.
If your going to drive 15 miles to the store, you my as well stop in Riggins and eat Kate's Cattleman's Restaurant. Looks are deceiving. The burger and salad we ate were fabulous.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Carrie Parks 
 15 September 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Cabin we stayed in was super cute.  And the bed was comfy. It was conveniently located to some cool trails and a waterfall.  The stay was soooooo much fun.  Thank you for having us!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Robin Stauts 
 15 September 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Friendship motor home was really nice and comfortable. The location is peaceful next to the river and well kept. My only suggestion would be to have more amenities. We ran out of toilet paper and almost ran out of propane and we didn’t use that much for a two night stay. Overall it was great though and would definitely come back.
  
 
  
  
 
 
   Google rating score: 4.6 of 5, based on 109 reviews