When you visit Salmon, Idaho for the first time, the thing that is most striking is how distinct it is. A walk down Main Street will take you past charming antique and thrift shops, a custom hatmaker, and an artisan bakery. You'll see pizza parlors that look like they did when they were built and a huge owl statue that locals use as archery target practice. Sure, lots of small towns in America have similar charming features, but the thing that really sets Salmon apart is how the people of the past are connected to the people of the present.
Salmon holds an important place in history. None other than Meriwether Lewis and William Clark spent a considerable amount of time in the area seeking passage across the Rocky Mountains to no avail. With their journey at a standstill, they likely wouldn't have made it to the Pacific were it not for the help of Sacagawea and the Shoshone-Bannock people.
The town retains an authentic old west feel that you won't find anywhere else. If you're having a drink at the bar, you'll for sure encounter river rafting and fishing guides, but you'll also run into miners, ranchers, wildfire hot shots, bikers, truckers, and more. All of these out-of-towners give Salmon a peculiar frontier town vibe that's held together gracefully by friendly locals.
After a day exploring the sights around Salmon, you'll appreciate the solitude of North Fork. Reserve your room today so you can cozy up next to the river when the day is done.
