City: Challis, ID
County: Custer County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 44.63200232, -114.14549257
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on Salmon River
9 runs (2 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
II
This location is on this run
4 - E. Fork of Salmon to Town of North Fork
110.0 mi
III
Upstream from here (40.4 mi from take-out)
3 - Rough Creek Bridge to Torrey's Hole River Access
12.0 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
III
54 mi away
5 - North Fork to Corn Creek
46.0 mi
II-III
62 mi away
1 - Hellroaring Creek to Redfish Lake Creek
12.6 mi
II
51 mi away
2 - Stanley to Rough Creek Bridge
9.3 mi
III-IV
63 mi away
6 - Corn Creek to Carey Creek
80.0 mi
III-IV
137 mi away
7 - Carey Creek to Riggins
23.0 mi
III
159 mi away
8 - Riggins to White Bird
30.0 mi
II-IV
168 mi away
9 - Hammer Creek to Snake River confluence
55.0 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Watts Bridge provides boat and camping access to the Upper Salmon River near Challis, Idaho. This 4.5-acre site offers a small boat ramp (noted to be in poor condition at the waterline), camping areas with picnic tables and grills, and facilities suitable for RVs. The entrance is located directly at the southeast end of the bridge; bear left at the fork to reach the camping area. This access point is popular for fishing, particularly winter whitefish angling on this section of river.
The Salmon River at this location is a major, fast-moving waterway with an average flow of roughly 13,100 cubic feet per second and an average velocity of 5.2 feet per second. The gradient along this section averages 23.1 feet per mile, indicating moderately fast current typical of the Upper Salmon River between Stanley and North Fork. Paddlers should be prepared for swift water conditions and plan accordingly.
For additional information about this site and other access points along the Upper Salmon River, contact the BLM Salmon Field Office at (208) 756-5400. Please use boat ramps efficiently and avoid prolonged staging. Other nearby access sites include Kilpatrick Day Use Area, Elk Bend, Camp Creek, and multiple options downstream toward North Fork.
The Salmon River at this location is a major, fast-moving waterway with an average flow of roughly 13,100 cubic feet per second and an average velocity of 5.2 feet per second. The gradient along this section averages 23.1 feet per mile, indicating moderately fast current typical of the Upper Salmon River between Stanley and North Fork. Paddlers should be prepared for swift water conditions and plan accordingly.
For additional information about this site and other access points along the Upper Salmon River, contact the BLM Salmon Field Office at (208) 756-5400. Please use boat ramps efficiently and avoid prolonged staging. Other nearby access sites include Kilpatrick Day Use Area, Elk Bend, Camp Creek, and multiple options downstream toward North Fork.
Nearby Recreation Areas
Kilpatrick Day Use Area
Located within
Salmon River
Located within
Challis Foothills Trail System
Located within
Morgan Creek Recreation Site
Located within
Amenities
parking
restrooms