Best Things To Do In Riggins, Idaho

Riggins is a tiny town with big country around it. Two huge river canyons meet here, the Salmon River and the Little Salmon, with the Seven Devils Mountains rising above. If you are wondering what to do in Riggins, this is a quick guide to the highlights.

1. Enjoy the Salmon River Beaches

The Salmon River around Riggins has some of the best river beaches in the West. In May and early June the river is high and most sandbars are underwater. As runoff drops through late June, July, August, and September, wide sandbars emerge all along the canyon.

The Salmon is one of the longest free flowing rivers in the lower 48. There are no main stem dams above Riggins, so sand from the granite mountains washes downstream and settles out as the water level drops. That creates a very fine, clean sand that feels more like a tropical beach than a mountain river. 

You will find public pullouts and beaches all along the Salmon River Road east of town. Bring shade, a cooler, and river shoes. Swim, throw a frisbee, set up a volleyball net, or camp on the sand. Pack out all trash, use fire pans where required, and don't leave rocks behind.

2. Drive To Heaven’s Gate And The Seven Devils

From Riggins you can drive from river level to high alpine in less than an hour. Town sits at about 1,800 feet above sea level.   The gravel road to Heaven’s Gate climbs to a lookout at about 8,429 feet, gaining roughly 6,500 vertical feet in about 45 minutes!

At the top you stand on a ridge between two of the deepest river canyons in North America, Hells Canyon on one side and the Salmon River Canyon on the other. On clear days you can see into four states from the lookout. The relief from the Snake River up to the crest of the Seven Devils is about 8,000 feet, which makes this one of the biggest canyon walls in the country.

In summer, Riggins can hit triple digit temperatures, while Heaven’s Gate and nearby campgrounds stay comfortable in the seventies. Evenings often come with huge sunsets over Hells Canyon and snowfields still hanging on the north faces of peaks like He Devil and She Devil.

From Windy Saddle, just below the lookout, trails lead to alpine lakes and the Seven Devils Loop, a multi day backpacking route through rugged peaks and hanging alpine basins.

3. Rock Climbing at Manning Crevice

Climbers are starting to discover the walls around the Manning Crevice Bridge east of Riggins. New sport and trad routes are going up on steep buttresses above the river and there are boulders and even some deep water solo spots in the area. 

Higher in the Seven Devils you will find classic Idaho alpine terrain. Short approaches from trailheads like Windy Saddle lead to lakes tucked under big granite walls, scrambles, and off road tracks that are popular with high clearance rigs.

4. Soak At Burgdorf Hot Springs

About two hours from Riggins by car, Burgdorf Hot Springs sits in the Payette National Forest north of McCall. This historic rustic resort has several log sided pools fed by natural mineral water, with small soaking pools near the source in the 110s Fahrenheit and a large main pool at more moderate temperatures. Reservations are required for day soaks and cabins. 

Many visitors to Riggins add Burgdorf and McCall as a loop, mixing hot springs, lake time, and backcountry roads.

5. Day Trip To Payette Lake And McCall

McCall sits on the shore of Payette Lake, a large glacial lake ringed by forest and mountains. The lake is known for boating, paddling, swimming, and lakeside beaches. Rental shops in town offer boats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddle boards. 

From Riggins, McCall is an easy day trip for cooler air, pine trees, and a classic lake town vibe before you drop back into the heat of the Salmon Canyon.

6. Train at Hat Creek Training

Hidden in the mountains near Riggins, Hat Creek Training is a precision rifle facility on thousands of acres of steep, broken terrain near Hells Canyon. They host military and law enforcement units and a limited number of civilian courses in extreme long range and high angle shooting. 

You can't “tour” the facility like an attraction, but knowing it is here says a lot about the kind of terrain around Riggins. Mountain ridges, deep draws, and long lines of sight make this a serious training ground.

7. Whitewater Rafting And Kayaking

Riggins calls itself the whitewater capital of Idaho for good reason. The Main Salmon runs right through town with dependable flows and a long season. You'll see pushier Class 3 and Class 4 during spring and early summer, then warmer, friendlier rapids later in the season.

Nearby runs include:

• The Little Salmon, a steeper creeky section that comes up during peak runoff for short, powerful Class 4 in a compact canyon.

• Multi day Main Salmon and Lower Salmon trips deeper in the canyon with remote beaches, hot days, and star filled nights.

• Inflatable kayak trips and family floats for beginners.

Outfitters in town can match you to the right trip, from half day splashy runs to week long expeditions.

8. Fish For Steelhead, Bass, Trout, And Sturgeon

Riggins is a year round hub for anglers. Guides run drift boats and jet boats for different species in different seasons. On the Salmon you can target steelhead, smallmouth bass, Chinook salmon, and trout, often within the same day in shoulder seasons. 

Farther downstream in Hells Canyon, jet boat trips chase huge white sturgeon along with bass and other species in a dramatic cliff lined gorge.

9. Hiking And Waterfalls

Several trails near town climb straight from the canyon into high country. The Rapid River Trail just south of Riggins follows a clear mountain creek into a deep side canyon and makes a good half day or full day outing.

In the broader region around Riggins and McCall you can find hikes to waterfalls, forested lakes, and wildflower meadows, especially along the Salmon River Road and the roads leading toward the Seven Devils.