wilderness river

A wilderness river is a waterway flowing through undeveloped, largely untouched land—no dams, no roads along its banks, no significant human alteration.

The term often appears in conservation contexts, where rivers receive legal protection to preserve their wild character: The Salmon River remains one of the last true wilderness rivers in the lower 48 states.

Such rivers typically offer opportunities for backcountry recreation like rafting or fishing in remote settings.