Robert Stuart - August 25, 1812

"...one mile more same course brought us to the Salmon Falls, where we found about 100 lodges of Snakes, heavily occupied in killing and drying fish."

The Discovery of the Oregon Trail--Robert Stuart's Narrative, 1812-1813.


In 1852, emigrants began crossing the river in this area and followed the North Alternate to the Teapot Dome hot springs vicinity, where it rejoined the main Trail.

Joel Palmer, August 20, 1845

"We traveled about nine miles, reaching the Salmon Falls. Here are eighteen or twenty Indian huts. Salmon came up to these falls: the Indians have an abundance of them, which they very readily dispose of for hooks, powder, balls, clothing, calico and knives, and in fact for almost anything we have at our disposal."

Palmer, Journals of Travels.

Current Observation/Journal Entry:

"Some of the emigrants crossed the Snake River east of Hagerman; in 1852 they would have connected with others at Teapot Dome and the hot springs near Rattlesnake Station."

Directions: Hwy 30 to Hagerman

Must See: Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument; Hagerman Historical Museum