The torrent salamanders (Rhyacotritonidae) are a family of headwater-obligate species endemic to the Pacific Northwest. Two species (R. kezeri and R. cascadae) are being considered as candidates for listing under the United States Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and will be a conservation focus in the decades to come. Monitoring can be challenging, as their ability to utilize the hyporheic zone, where subsurface stream flow mixes with groundwater, as well as their unique life history make them difficult to survey by traditional methods. Environmental DNA (eDNA), a non-invasive method of detecting aquatic species, could be a valuable survey and detection tool for managers and researchers studying these elusive species. We developed species specific primers for both R. kezeri and R. cascadae, pairing physical surveys with eDNA surveys to assess effectiveness in detection within sites across their range. We successfully detected both species at multiple sites, demonstrating the usefulness of eDNA surveys as a cost-effective alternative to traditional surveys which often result in significant microhabitat disturbance. Using Bayesian hierarchical models, we examined the relationship between observed salamander abundance with eDNA quantification and detection probabilities. We found that eDNA was a much more effective tool for R. kezeri, although we also found evidence that lower abundances in R. cascadae may account for the reduced efficiency of this survey tool. Using our survey data, we demonstrate how eDNA is particularly useful for R. kezeri given high detection rates across sites, whereas managers may need to utilize multiple sampling techniques with R. cascadae to consistently detect occupancy with high confidence.