Yankee Fork

Yankee Fork Road is located in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The road is a true reflection of what the history of Idaho is rooted in; hard work, brutal elements, western promise, and most importantly - gold. Uniquely, the Gem State's mining past is a legacy that remains just as much a part of our landscape today as the very minerals that hide beneath our rugged terrain, leaving behind a trail of ghost towns, long-standing saloons, and Wild West-style architecture. Today, some remnants of ghost towns Bonanza, homesteads, and mining sit by the Yankee Fork in various states of preservation and decay. You will see the dredge ponds and tailings alongside the road, as well as reclamation and revitalizing of the river habitat to restore Chinook salmon and steelhead in the Yankee Fork River after mining damage. Finally, the iconic Yankee Fork Gold Dredge is one of the best-preserved and presented dredges in the lower 48 states and is open to guided tours in the summer months. Several dredge ponds offer opportunities for fishing and camping.