It passes 6,600-foot (2,000 m) Smoot, Wyoming and then meanders through the mostly agricultural Star Valley, being joined by numerous creeks along the way, to its confluence with the Snake River near the town of Alpine (elevation 5,600 feet (1,700 m)).

Paralleling the Salt River is Wyoming Highway 89 leading north to Teton and Yellowstone National Park.

The state ranks the Salt River Class 2 (red) – Very good trout waters – fisheries of statewide importance.

Starting from about 1810 to 1840 it and its many tributaries was trapped in the spring and fall by numerous trappers seeking its often plentiful beaver, muskrats and other fur and game.

Towns near the river progressing north include Smoot, Fairview, Afton, Grover, Auburn, Turnerville, Bedford, Thayne, Star Valley Ranch, Freedom, Etna, and Alpine.