The Lemhi River Valley is the historical home of the Lemhi Shoshone tribe, whose native name Akaitikka means ‘eaters of salmon.’ (The name ‘Lemhi’ comes from an early Mormon missionary.) In the early 1900s, most tribal members were relocated to the Fort Hall Reservation in southeast Idaho.

The most famous member of the tribe is Sacajawea, a translator for the iconic Lewis and Clark voyage. At the age of seventeen, Sacajawea accompanied the explorers from North Dakota to the Pacific Coast. They crossed the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass before descending towards present-day Salmon.

Agriculture, mining, and the subsequent addition of a railroad brought settlers to Lemhi County. The town of Leadore was established as a railroad stop in 1910, although the line ceased operation by 1939.

The Salmon River, deemed impassable by Lewis and Clark, earned the name “River of No Return” for its deep canyons and whitewater currents. Today, the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness is the largest contiguous wilderness area in the Continental U.S. Despite its remote location, it is a world-class rafting destination.

Salmon, the county seat and only incorporated town in Lemhi County, has a population of 3,055 and is located over 100 miles from the closest municipality. Leadore, a popular stop for CDT hikers during a challenging section of trail, has a population of just 100 — but its hospitality far exceeds its size!