Riggins, Idaho - Riverside RV Park Riggins, Idaho 9/22 - 9/28 2020 Travel Tour

                                       From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com 
                                                        Tim and Linda Bunyan

We travel 150 miles straight north on Highway 84 from Caldwell, Idaho to the mountain town of Riggins, Idaho which is a river rafting and Rzr playground along the Salmon River.  Our RV Park is located directly across the river; however, there are no opening RV sites for tonight.  We are boondocked alongside the Little Salmon River in the BLM 

Shorts Bar Recreation site for one blissful night.  BLM: no utilities, no cost.

Ample amenities of spectacular views from our front door!

Riggins lies between the two deepest gorges in North America and rides the banks of the Little Salmon River the famous Salmon River, the longest free-flowing river within the lower 48 states.

Whitewater mixed with quiet pools and spectacular scenery, down river runs on the Main Salmon and Little Salmon River are World Class.

This green space on the mountainside is an Elk Ranch.

Riggins Rodeo Stadium

We park between the Rodeo Stadium and the Meat Specialties Market.

We notice a large green field on the mountainside and discover it is the Mountain View Elk   Ranch......just down the street, past the Riggin Rodeo Stadium, the owners of the Ranch also run the Mountain View Specialty Meats Butcher Shop where locals (and us knowledgeable travelers) line up at the door for a great selection of beef, pork, elk, buffalo, and chicken.  

 We are excited to choose the unusual elk and buffalo burgers to share with Mike and Paul during our visit with them in a couple of weeks.

The next day we follow along the curve of the river to the Riverside RV site in the town of Riggins located at 1500' elevation, just south of Salmon Rapids Lodge on the Salmon River. 

Full hookup, $40.00/night

 We love these small, pull-thru sites that offer riverside views at each site!

The front yard of green grass.  Woodstock is very happy.

Woodstock likes this site watching the river water.  He is happy to be on the grass high above the waterline.

Riggins is compelling in its location and as a tiny town of huge outdoor personality.  It is nestled deep in a canyon at the confluence of the Salmon River and the Little Salmon River with a population of about 500 long-time residents.  Those we spoke with love their community and are happy to share their environment and cater to visitors; and just as happy to welcome the next visitor when the other departs.  

This small town is charming and loves to share its environment with visitors.

Full-day rafting trips are offered by many companies to serve locals and visitors.

Riggins City Park, a great venue for weddings, receptions, private parties.

The park is situated just above jet boat racing and white water rafting adventures in the Salmon River below.

World War Memorial for Riggins area vets.

Tim and I walk along the Salmon River in a grassy, well shaded leisurely space.

Named for the postmaster Richard L. Riggins who carried the mail to the area for years.  

To gain access to the rolling, fertile hills and timber of the forested hills and canyons, the Camas Prairie Railroad was a short line to northern Idaho which demanded operation by both giants the Northern Pacific Railway and Union Pacific Railroad known as the railroad on stilts due to the many wooden trestles along its route.   The railroad could not prosper in this mountainous landscape.

This monument remains to honor those that came and built railroad towns along this geographically difficult rail line.    The Railroad ownership remains with the Midwest Pacific Rail with profitable segments out of Lewiston.  

This monument tells stories of the people that came to this area.  

 Bob Linville came from San Fransico in 1922

Blake Hancock in 1895 began at age 15 selling gum and newspapers on the railroad.  He served on many community committees and became Mayor and Councilman

This area memorializes its local citizens.  I was so taken with the honor made to its history through the people that spent much of their lives here.    This area is much to do about its environment; however, a tribute to its history.  This railroad is part of its past.

Locals living in this small town.

Sometimes a stone foundation is enough to live upon.

Propane and electricity are enough.

HIGHLIGHT of the area: Hells Canyon.  Tim and I drove a 10-mile wide canyon as part of the National Recreation Area.  America's deepest river gorge at 7,993 feet carved by the waters of the (Oregon side of the mountain range): Snake River.!  (Runs deeper than the better-known Grand Canyon (below the peaks of Seven Devils Mountains range).

Evidence of Homesteading from the 1880s some ranchers still operate.  The weather was unsuited to farming and ranching and most moved on.  Three dams generate 70 percent of Idaho's hydroelectricity.  President Gerald Ford signed legislation created the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, terminating all other power supply system.

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area west of Riggins includes the Seven Devils Mountains and a variety of scenic views.

From 1900 feet elevation; to nearly 8,000 feet within the Hells Canyon.

We love this expansive view.  Especially the Seven Devils Mountains (part of the Rocky Mountains) which form the Idaho-Oregon border.

Tim and I hiked up to the Heavens Gate Lookout/Fire Tower and were welcomed by Forest Service volunteers, a couple, that watches for fires (June through the end of fire season)  and communicates with several other Fire Towers in this massive mountainous area.  We are at an extraordinary place at 9,393 feet elevation to take in the surrounding landscape.  

We signed the ledger, listened to stories.   The couple hikes up to the Fire Tower every day from their notched level RV site located a half-mile away.  They love this assignment.  Their cousin is in a watch tower 30 miles to the other mountain.  This couple has returned during fire season for 5 years!  

We oriented the locations in the mountain peaks visible in four western states: Idaho, Oregon, 

Washington, and Montana.  

On the return road, we met up with another 4-wheel drive (reminds us of Kevin and Gordon's jeep).  They graciously pulled over up the side of the mountain as it is a single lane road with an 8,000' drop!

We depart the mountain area where few homesteaders and cattle ranchers remain.

Return to the town of Riggins to fuel up to depart this enchanting, adventurous environment.

The grocery mart where all are welcome!

Riggins, which is now named after John Riggins, the area's first mailman, is proud of its history including ranching, mining, lumber, and activities tied to the river.

Departing this sweet town of Riggins, Idaho.  A playland to experience the environment of a small town along the Salmon River.

Paved roads now bridge the challenges of this mountainous area.

We are heading north about 100 miles to the 'city' of Lewiston, Idaho; through a landscape where the railroad could not profitably exist.

We reach the Camus Meadow.  It is nearly a stretch of countryside, level for ease of agriculture, and nearly 75 miles of wheat cultivation heading north to Lewiston, Idaho.

Our next stop: We arrive at Hell's Gate State Park in Lewiston, Idaho.  Quite civilized city.....on the Columbia River!