Where is Salmon, Idaho Located? A Guide to this Scenic Western Town

Salmon, Idaho is a small city located in the rugged mountains of central Idaho. With a population of just over 3,000 people, Salmon offers a friendly small-town atmosphere amidst breathtaking natural scenery If you’re wondering exactly where Salmon is located, here is a guide to this scenic western town.

Salmon’s Geographic Location

Salmon is located in the heart of Idaho, nestled in a valley along the Salmon River in Lemhi County. It sits at an elevation of 3,947 feet in the Salmon River Mountains surrounded by pine forests and rocky peaks.

Specifically, Salmon is located at latitude 45.17000 N and longitude -113.88056 W. The city’s geographic coordinates put it about:

• 200 miles north of Boise, Idaho’s capital and largest city
• 285 miles east of Portland, Oregon
• 380 miles southwest of Missoula, Montana
• 415 miles northwest of Salt Lake City, Utah

So Salmon occupies a fairly remote spot in west-central Idaho, far from any major metropolitan areas. The nearest city is Idaho Falls, about 90 miles to the southeast.

Salmon as the Lemhi County Seat

Salmon serves as the county seat and largest city in Lemhi County, Idaho. Lemhi County covers over 4,500 square miles in central Idaho along the Montana border. With its total population around 8,000, Lemhi County is one of Idaho’s most rural and least populated counties.

As the county seat, Salmon contains the Lemhi County Courthouse and other government offices It functions as the main economic and administrative hub for the surrounding rural areas

Salmon’s Place Along the Salmon River

The defining geographic feature of Salmon is its location along the Salmon River. This wild and scenic river originates high in the Sawtooth and Salmon River Mountains, flowing over 400 miles before joining the Snake River.

The Salmon River passes right through the heart of Salmon, shaping the town’s development and economy. The river provides excellent fishing, white water rafting, and other recreational opportunities that draw tourists to Salmon.

Several major tributaries like the Lemhi River and Pahsimeroi River feed into the Salmon River near Salmon. So the town sits at the center of an extensive watershed draining much of central Idaho.

Accessing Salmon, Idaho

While a bit remote, Salmon does have various transportation connections to the outside world. Here are some of the main ways to access the town:

• By car: Highway 93 passes through Salmon, linking it to Interstate 15 about 100 miles to the southeast. From there, I-15 provides access north to Montana and south to Utah. Other scenic highways like the Salmon River Scenic Byway lead into Salmon.

• By air: Salmon Municipal Airport provides daily flights to Salt Lake City. Private planes can also access the airport.

• By bus: Greyhound buses stop in Salmon along the route between Missoula, Montana and Boise, Idaho.

• By rail: While Salmon itself lacks rail service, an Amtrak station in the town of Sandpoint, about 150 miles north, provides regional rail connections.

So Salmon enjoys reasonable transportation options despite its out-of-the-way mountain locale. This helps attract visitors looking to experience its wealth of outdoor recreation.

Salmon’s Place in Regional History

In addition to its geographic location, Salmon occupies an important place in the history of the region. In fact, the city takes its name from the Salmon River which Lewis and Clark followed through the area in 1805.

The Lemhi Valley around Salmon was inhabited by Shoshone tribes for centuries before white settlement. It was the birthplace of Sacagawea, the Shoshone woman who served as interpreter and guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Salmon saw mining booms and busts in the late 1800s before emerging as a ranching and logging center. The Salmon River and surrounding mountains still drive the local economy through mining, timber, agriculture, and tourism.

So when you visit Salmon’s scenic setting today, you are also experiencing a landscape steeped in Native American history and early frontier settlement.

Experiencing the Salmon Area

Salmon provides easy access to an abundance of natural and recreational attractions. Here are just a few things to see and do in the area:

• Rafting and fishing along the Salmon River
• Hiking and mountain biking in the Salmon-Challis National Forest
• Skiing at Lost Trail Powder Mountain
• Golfing at Salmon Valley Golf Course
• Learning about Sacagawea at the Sacajawea Interpretive Center
• Trying local food and drink at restaurants like Junkyard Bistro
• Camping and wildlife viewing at mountain parks and reserves
• Exploring historic buildings and museums around town

Salmon offers the perfect base camp to experience the forests, mountains, rivers, and wildlife of central Idaho. Its remote location far from major cities provides a peaceful setting to enjoy outdoor activities and small-town charm.

So now you know exactly where Salmon, Idaho is located – right in the heart of some of the most spectacular scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Come see for yourself why residents proudly call Salmon the “Birthplace of Sacajawea.”