Hells Canyon (Washington / Oregon / Idaho)

Nature in The Palouse & Blue Mountains, Washington, United States

• Best months: May–July
• Elevation gain: 0 m
• Open weeks per year: 13

Access & fees

• no fee (wilderness hiking) (fee: none · permits: not required for hiking)
• river permit required (booking: Recreation.gov from March 1 · applies to: float and powerboat)

Things to do

• birdwatching
• camping
• fishing (snake river)
• float boating (permit: required year-round · primary season lottery: Recreation.gov)
• hiking and backpacking
• hiking and equestrian travel (terrain: steep, primitive trails)
• horseback riding
• jet boat tours on the snake river
• photography
• powerboating (permit: required year-round · primary season lottery: Recreation.gov)
• scenic driving
• stargazing
• visit panoramic overlooks (such as hells canyon overlook)
• whitewater rafting and kayaking
• wildlife viewing — bighorn sheep, deer, elk, eagles

Amenities

• boat launches (sites: Hells Canyon, Pittsburg Landing)
• primitive camping and restrooms (location: Copper Creek trailhead)
• visitor center (name: Hells Canyon Creek Visitor Center)

Best time to visit

• lower elevations year-round (window: year-round) — higher elevations snow into summer

Events & seasons

• four rivers lottery (float) (opens: March 1, 7am Pacific · window: Friday before Memorial Day – Sep 10)
• self-issue river permit (window: Sep 11 – Thursday before Memorial Day)

Features

• 217,927-acre wilderness (designated: 1975 · managing agency: primarily US Forest Service)
• seven devils mountain range (location: Idaho side of wilderness)
• wild and scenic snake river (role: bisects canyon, Oregon–Idaho border)

Nearby

• gateway towns (idaho) (drive: within 1 hour · towns: Riggins, Lewiston, Grangeville, Whitebird, Lucille)
• gateway towns (washington) (drive: within 1 hour · towns: Clarkston, Asotin)

Good to know

• southern trailhead access (location: Copper Creek, ~9 miles north of Oxbow, Oregon)