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Hi! We are Jerry & Vanna Holland. We have lived in Riggins now for more than 25 years. We have seen the growth and change over the past years and have both agonized and rejoiced with the different issues our town has faced. Our six children grew up here, competing in scholastic, sports, and Bible events while receiving their primary education.

I would like to welcome you to my personal page.

My name is Larry Simonson and I am one of the team members of the Riggins Branch of Mountain Lakes Realty.

Just a little bit about my background to help us get acquainted:

I grew up in Northern California, home of the beautiful redwoods. My father and I ran a redwood logging operation and mill and actively worked to promote the future growth of these majestic trees. We were the first company to start a system to plant year-old redwood seedlings. (Seedlings that I personally planted are now over 100' tall and 2' in diameter.)

We were also involved in land development.

We relocated to Idaho in the early 80's to work on the development of Kimberland Meadows in New Meadows, Idaho (which is now known as Meadowcreek). When we sold that we decided that we loved Idaho and wanted to make it our permanent home. I then went into the real estate field.

Polly Bemis was the Pacific Northwest's most famous Chinese American woman. Sold by her parents to a Chinese man and smuggled into this country, Polly was brought to brought to Warren, Idaho. She married Charlie Bemis in 1894 and they settled on the remote Salmon River. Charlie died in 1922 and Polly died in 1933 at age 80.

While Warren is frequently listed as a Ghost Town, it has never been without a resident population since James Warren discovered gold on Warren Creek in 1862. It is the 5th oldest town in Idaho and was once the County Seat for Idaho County.

This suspension bridge over the Salmon River can be reached by car on the Salmon River from the west (Riggins, Idaho)at river mile 110.

This steel cable single lane suspension bridge is still in use near the Riggins Hot Springs.

At 8,429 feet high, Heaven's Gate marks the very top of the divide between the Snake and Salmon Rivers, the two deepest river gorges in North America.

McCall Winter Carnival is an annual event attended by people from all walks of life. Ice and snow sculptures are carved and judged with competition being very stiff. Mardi Gras beads and vendors are everywhere and the whole atmosphere is festive. Highway 95 gives way to a parade to celebrate Winter Carnival.

Many thousands of acres are the home to elk, sheep, and cattle. Goats are raised for brush control and a little fun.

If gardening is your passion Riggins is the place for you. Called the Banana Belt of Idaho because of the mild climate, Riggins has a growing season from April to September with killing frosts sometimes coming in late October. Even in Winter one can almost always see earth.

The hyacinths, forsythia, and daffodils start to peek out in late February or early March and are spent by the end of March. Lilacs are brilliant in April and May. Roses last well until the hottest and driest part of Summer. Many more types of flowers and vegetables are grown here than are mentioned in this article.

Peas, broccoli and other colder weather vegetable gardens start to go in in March-April. Some of the locals plant by the moon and some plant by the Riggins Rodeo which is the first weekend in May. When the rodeo is over the garden goes in, they say.

There is a small amount of irrigated farm ground in some of the creek beds mostly in grass or alfalfa hay.

Orchards producing peaches, apricots, cherries, and apples are located mostly north of Riggins. Local produce is sold at the fruit stands and at local Farmers Markets.

The Palouse out of Grangeville through Eastern Washington produces extensive wheat, rape, lentils, peas, barley, and rye crops.

The Weiser area is a large truck farming and onion area.

Southeastern Idaho is of course famous for the Idaho potato.

Like to play in the snow but hate to live in it? Then Riggins is for you! World Class Resorts of Brundage and Tamarack provide downhill, cross country skiing, and snowboarding opportunities. Many miles of groomed snowmobile trails abound. After finishing the snow sports one can then go into Riggins to be out of the snow for most of the year.

Golf at MeadowCreek, McCall, Grangeville, Council, Tamarack, Whitetail. The golf enthusiast can golf on many courses with different challenges on each. The outdoor landscapes will be addicting, the time with friends and family make the time memorable. Refreshments are generally available throughout the course. After the game enjoy a gourmet meal without additional travel.

Sailboat in McCall on Payette lake and out of Cascade on Cascade lake! Jet ski to one’s hearts delight.

Elk, deer, bear, chukar, grouse, turkey, cougar, mountain sheep, moose, and coyotes are some of the hunting opportunities that are presented in the area of Riggins. One may also find themselves hunting for their horses, cows, or mules. Incredible photographs may be ‘shot’ in this rugged area.

Explore the many hot springs found throughout the area. Soak in one of the known such as Zims or go in search of the many ‘unpublic’ hot springs that are around.

Backpacking for an hour or weeks will capture the heart of the backpacker. Many backcountry fishing lakes are available for the wilderness solidarity some seek. The Riggins area has some of the largest wilderness areas and hosts some of the most remote backcountry available.

A travel management map showing some of the miles of ATV trails can be purchased from Grangeville and Slate Creek Ranger Stations.

Camping can be in an organized campground or in a spot of ones own choosing. Whether dry camping high in the mountains or camping along the water beauty will surround and peace beckon. Rafting the Salmon River is one sport almost anyone can experience. Whether young or old the exhilaration of the rafting trip will endure the rest of ones life. The intensity of the trip can be controlled by deciding when to raft. The more mild trips are when the water is lowest in late August and the heart stopping trips are in the Big Water times of late May and June. Expect to get ‘dumped’ at Ruby Rapids if you choose a big water trip. One of the companies available locally can assist with your level of rafting experience chosen

Fishing is available year round in some form. Seasons include Steelhead from mid October to last of April and there are several tournaments to participate in. The Riggins area provides some of the best Steelhead fishing in the United States. Salmon is mid May to Mid July. Trout is open year round on the Big Salmon and from last of May to last of October on the tributaries of the Big Salmon including the Little Salmon River. Bass fishing is good on the main Salmon from May through October except when water is big. Perch can be caught at the ‘lagoon’.

Jet Boat and Excursion trips on the Salmon River are breathtaking. Excursion trips can take one to the Shepp Ranch, Poly Bemis Ranch or in Hells Canyon to the dam. There are some nice swimming holes along these routes as well.

There are many beautiful beaches along the Big Salmon River. Do NOTHING and enjoy yourself to the fullest. Just soak in the beauty of the area and culture of Idaho.