Lush Idaho Mountain Adventures Await In One Of America's Largest Wilderness Areas

Whether you're taking in the breathtaking majesty of the Shoshone Falls or looking to enjoy a winter road trip in one of the Gem State's numerous hot springs, Idaho is one of the best states for outdoor lovers to experience some excellent nature-filled adventures. For a real wilderness experience, however, travelers need to head into the vast, untamed expanse of The Frank.

Established by an Act of Congress in 1980, The Frank — officially known as The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness — is a 2.3 million acre federally designated wilderness area, the largest in the lower 48. Named in honor of Idaho U.S. Senator Frank Church, The Frank comprises of lush mountains, deep woods, and thousands of miles of trails. The famous Salmon River winds its way through the wilderness, creating an environment perfect for fly fishing and whitewater rafting.

Being under the thumb of the U.S. Forest Service, there are certain rules that need to be followed when exploring The Frank. No mechanized or motorized vehicles are allowed, including bicycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, and drones. Fishing, hunting, and rafting are allowed provided you attain the proper state licenses. Also, it is worth noting that the vastness of The Frank means that inexperienced hikers or outdoor persons should think twice before adventuring here. This is a true wilderness that can be as unforgiving as it is beautiful. 

Unlike the budget-friendly winter paradise that is Idaho Falls, The Frank is quite difficult to access. Owing to the fact that it is a preserved federal wilderness area, there are no roads that lead directly into The Frank. From Boise, Idaho's capital, you will have to drive to one of three towns — Grangeville (4 hours), McCall (2.5 hours), or Salmon (5.25 hours) — where Bureau of Land Management offices can help provide entry. 

These towns surround The Frank, providing numerous means of access. You can enter the wilderness on foot on a hiking trail, by boat on the Salmon River, or by plane. Private, small engine aircraft are allowed to fly into one of The Franks established airstrips. Pontoon planes are also allowed to land along the river or one of the area's numerous lakes.

As mentioned previously, The Frank is no place for novices or amateurs. Even experienced and properly equipped outdoorspeople can find The Frank difficult to tackle. Therefore, its recommended that anyone planning to adventure here hire a guide or outfitter. This is especially helpful for anyone looking to hunt, fish, or raft the wilderness. Frank Church Wilderness Outfitters is the area's premier guide service. Thy offer fishing trips, bear and predator hunts, backcountry horse riding adventures, and bighorn sheep viewing tours.

Flying into The Frank will greet you with a stunning sight. The Salmon River Mountains stretch out before you, rolling into the horizon like waves on the ocean. They dominate this wilderness, showing off dramatic rocky peaks and teeming with diverse wildlife like black bears, mountain goats, moose, bighorn sheep, elk, owls, cranes, herons, and several species of songbirds. 

With 296 maintained trails that map out to over 2,000 miles in length, The Frank is a paradise for experienced hikers. Many of the trails are steep and can rise to over 10,000 feet. Loose terrain, downed trees, and general debris can make the goings difficult. It's recommended you carry a handsaw in order to remove any blockages in the path. One of the most popular hikes in The Frank is the Langer Lake Trail. At 2 miles long, it is one of the more approachable trails in the wilderness thanks to its relatively easy terrain.

Of course, no visit here would be complete without taking to the river. The Main and Middle Salmon River are renowned as some of the best fishing waters in the country. Rainbow, steelhead, and bull trout make for some truly exciting angling. Even more exciting, however, would be the rapids. Managed via a lottery system by the U.S. Forest Service, you can experience world class rapids with a guide service and partake in one of the most exciting rides of your life.