Salmon Falls Creek

Salmon Falls Creek originates in the O’Neil basin in northern Nevada and runs north 11 miles through a deep, scenic canyon before it empties into the Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir prior to its confluence with the Snake River. Sections of the canyon provide a fantastic display of basalt lava flows separated by layers of sediment, while other sections are dominated by rhyolite columns and spires. Throughout the canyon, numerous pools have been created by the presence of large boulders which have fallen into the stream from the surrounding steep canyon walls. A few springs on the lower canyon walls provide a stark contrast with the upland vegetation, which contrasts an oasis-like environment with the sagebrush-steppe ecology of the rangeland above. The creek is lush with a variety of riparian vegetation, including coyote willows, dogwoods, golden currants, cattail, mint, and poison ivy. Visitors are treated to an impressive view of the creek from Salmon Falls Dam, as a result, the area has been frequently photographed.

This rugged, trail-less area hosts a wide variety of wildlife, including redband trout, prairie falcon, and both spotted and Townsend’s big-eared bats. Visitors may also catch a glimpse of canyon-nesting birds, such as white-throated swift, canyon wren, rock wren, cliff swallow, violet-green swallow, and barn swallow. Raptors such as the western screech owl, long-eared owl, great horned owl, American kestrel, red-tailed hawk and golden eagles also frequent the canyon, along with a significant number of mule deer.

Visitors to the canyon can experience the Salmon Falls Creek downstream view from Salmon Falls Creek dam, however, there are no established recreation sites and trails along the creek itself.