Riggins Idaho
The quaint little town of Riggins Idaho is a hub for outdoor recreation, offering excellent whitewater rafting, hunting, camping, and fishing in the beautiful surrounding area.
- Known as the Whitewater Capital of America, Riggins attracts whitewater enthusiasts from all over the world to float the challenging rapids of the Salmon, Little Salmon, Payette, and Snake rivers.
- Riggins is just 47 miles northwest of McCall.
- Hells Canyon is just west of Riggins, providing many outdoor recreational opportunities.
Overview
A tiny town of just over 400 residents, Riggins is located in scenic west central Idaho just 47 miles from McCall. With the majestic Seven Devils Mountains and Hells Canyon directly west, and the beautiful Payette National Forest to the east, Riggins is at the center of a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Often called the Whitewater Capital of America, Riggins is situated near three Idaho rivers that boast some of the best whitewater in the country.
Location
Riggins, ID is located at the confluence of the Main Salmon River and the Little Salmon River. It is about 47 miles northwest of McCall on Highway 95.
Services & Amenities
This tiny town has a couple of B&Bs and a handful of hotels for lodging. Dining options include several nice restaurants.
Activities & Attractions
Visitors to Riggins can enjoy camping, hiking, and fishing in the scenic countryside nearby. Panning for gold in the rivers is also a popular activity. If you happen to visit in May, be sure to attend the Riggins Rodeo. In April the town hosts the annual Salmon River Jet Boat Races.
Whitewater rafting is one of Riggins’ most popular attractions, with the Salmon River, Little Salmon River, and Payette River nearby. The Snake River is just a few miles west in Hells Canyon. The Payette and Snake boast several expert-only Class V runs.
Just west of Riggins is the vast Hells Canyon Recreation Area, covering over 650,000 acres. Hiking, camping, horseback riding, jet boat tours, and hunting are just some of the activities visitors can enjoy.
Getting Here
To get to McCall from Riggins, head south on Hwy 95 to New Meadows, then southeast on Hwy 55 to McCall. Along the way watch for a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, moose, red fox, and bald eagles. Stop for a relaxing swim at Zim’s Hot Springs.
