Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
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The deepest river gorge in North America, Hells Canyon is accessible by jet boat or raft. Those who explore this rugged wilderness will find ancient tribal carvings in the rocks, deserted ranches and closed-up gold mines.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
156 reviews
Excellent
126
Very good
26
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Angelique
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Family
Just used Hells Canyon rafting for a family adventure. Craig, Arden, and Dingle were fantastic guides, and served up some amazing dishes at every meal. Our family is gluten free which is always a little stressful when our meals are in the hands of someone else. Our guides made sure we were well taken care of (AND SOME) and everything was absolutely delicious. They did not disappoint!! They were very entertaining, filled our water days with many cool and historical stories. It was a great family trip filled with wonderful memories. Thank you HCR!
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron S
Sheridan, WY1,263 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
This place sounds like a song 🎵 or maybe an old AC/DC one.... anyway Lol, Hello Canyon has truly some Heavenly views ✨ 👏 that is worth the time. We enjoyed it and if you like nature you'll like it also.
Enjoy
Enjoy
Written 15 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KiwiAirHelicopter
Clarkston, WA7 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
Hells Canyon Spectacular
120 min
Fly south, up the Snake River, past the Grande Ronde, Salmon, and Imnaha rivers. We travel low level into the visual wonder that is Hells Canyon (and to Hells Canyon Dam). Carved by the waters of the Snake River, this is North America’s deepest gorge, with the river being more than a mile below the peaks on the Oregon side and 8,000 feet below the Seven Devils Mountains range on the Idaho side. Spectacular views from the depths of the canyon, from the mountain and ridge tops, and from every level in between. Truly, there is no better way to see more of the canyon than by helicopter. On the return trip, we fly over what the Nez Perce call the “land of winding rivers”, timbered hills, through Joseph Canyon, and over fertile farmland. In all, an experience to last a lifetime.
120 min
Fly south, up the Snake River, past the Grande Ronde, Salmon, and Imnaha rivers. We travel low level into the visual wonder that is Hells Canyon (and to Hells Canyon Dam). Carved by the waters of the Snake River, this is North America’s deepest gorge, with the river being more than a mile below the peaks on the Oregon side and 8,000 feet below the Seven Devils Mountains range on the Idaho side. Spectacular views from the depths of the canyon, from the mountain and ridge tops, and from every level in between. Truly, there is no better way to see more of the canyon than by helicopter. On the return trip, we fly over what the Nez Perce call the “land of winding rivers”, timbered hills, through Joseph Canyon, and over fertile farmland. In all, an experience to last a lifetime.
Written 23 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SCOTT W
VANCOUVER61 contributions
Sept 2013 • Solo
My white water rafting days are over so Beamers Jet Boat Tours was the next best choice. The boats are large, powerful with all the comforts; bench seating,covered top, open windows, bathroom and a smooth dry ride. I took the full day trip which is 200 miles round trip. Several stops along the way. Besides the amazing gorge we saw deer and long horn sheep. Box lunch and soft drinks were good and the Captain informative but David the mate was a standout in service and attitude. I went in September when the river is low and not very challenging. I'd like to try it in the spring when the ride can be really exciting. But if you want to have a relaxing trip down the canyon, September was eighty degrees hot and a smooth ride.
Written 18 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikol L
Lewiston, Idaho, United States5 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
Touring Hells Canyon is a trip of a lifetime, but be careful who you choose to go with. Jet boats are my pick. The canyon is hot so make sure you pick a boat with open sides. My family and I have gone with several companies, but we like Snake River Adventures the best. It's family owned and operated and the guides are hilarious. They provide lunch, soda, and bottled water and a continental breakfast. Lots of history, tall-tales, and plenty of stops for swimming and taking in the incredible scenery. It's a long day if you go all the way to Hells Canyon Dam, but it's a "hell of a trip."
Written 29 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judyrslu
Nj5 contributions
If you are interested in a half day jet boat touf of Hells Canyon, I would highly recommend Snake Dancer Excursions. Gabe was our captain and was very informative about the area. It was a small boat and on the day we went there were only 5 adults and 2 children. The other jet boat companies had many more on the boats because they advertize alot. I found this company on the Internet. Gabe stopped whenever we saw wildlife and spent the time for us to take pictures. When he stopped by a waterfall, he allowed us to go in the water with the children. The stop for lunch was good and the volunteer at this place was very informative. I felt the 5 1/2 hour trip was sufficient for families with small children or for people who just want a sample of riding a jet boat in Hells Canyon. I would highly recommend this place, It is over the river from Lewiston, in Clarkston, WA. Very easy to get there.
Written 18 July 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
F4981JCmichaels
Vancouver, WA2,731 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
We visited in early September. Weather was perfect. Not too hot; not too cold. School was started, so no crowds.
Hells Canyon was peculiar. It's not a monument or park, so it's not as built up as they would be. Therefore, roads were narrow and winding, sometimes gravel, and facilities were limited. Since my wife is not in as good physical shape as I am, we did no hiking and we did not visit the best viewpoint, Hat Point, which has miles of gravel road before you get to it, although there are facilities, and a ranger, according to the help we received, mentioned next.
We stopped in at the area ranger facility for the Wallowa Mountains National Forest Office in Joseph, Oregon. That was quite helpful. Plenty of maps, and informed people to assist you in your visit. No bathrooms, but a public one is nearby, just down the street.
Joseph is a tourist town with lots of shops. It also has many well made public statues scattered up and down the main street. If you are staying in a hotel/motel overnight, I highly recommend reservations. There are very few decent selections in Joseph and nearby Enterprise. We arrived late and everything was full. We drove to Lewiston, Idaho and stayed at the Red Lion Inn. The road there, highway 3 in Oregon and 129 in Washington twists its way through a canyon on the way. The scenery is stunning, but the speed in the canyon is about 30 mph on average. It took two hours to get to Lewiston, but we were in no hurry, and the road actually turned out to be a nice side highlight of the trip. Watch out for deer at dusk!
The road out of Joseph to Hells Canyon, highway 39, is also as twisted as a pretzel and at times it's narrow. Average speed is about 30 mph. It reminded me very much of highway 37 in British Columbia, which is in the middle of nowhere. This felt like the middle of nowhere also. So, if you plan on visiting, allow extra time for the roads. They are in relative good repair, but definitely are "back roads." At times there is no divider line and we were surprised by logging trucks a few times, even though a sign says trucks need special permits to be there. I would recommend honking your horn on steep, blind curves when you come around them, just in case. We stopped at Hells Canyon Overlook. After winding through "tree tunnels" for a while, it takes your breath away to suddenly see this expansive, deep canyon. The overlook is at the end of a three mile tarred road. Worth a stop. (Why else would you be here?)
We also visited the grave site of Chief Joseph, which is just out of Joseph, Oregon. If you are a history buff, it is worth a visit.
We stopped at a small grocery store in Halfway, Oregon, along the way back. Public restrooms are next door. They are clean and there is a small park next to them. People in Halfway were friendly and the town is small. Outside of getting gas, food, or needing a bathroom, it doesn't really have anything to make it stand out from other small towns. The highlight for me was a pink variety of jewelweed planted next to the restrooms. I'm a "plant geek," so it was exciting for me. Never knew one existed before.
Many people come here for the rapids boat trips or for hiking and camping. Being older, 65 and 66, it's not our "thing" anymore, but if it is something you do, then I recommend Hells Canyon for you too. No crowds, lots of scenery, and helpful guides at the forest service offices. I met many other visitors that were there just for those activities and they were all having a great time.
Hells Canyon was peculiar. It's not a monument or park, so it's not as built up as they would be. Therefore, roads were narrow and winding, sometimes gravel, and facilities were limited. Since my wife is not in as good physical shape as I am, we did no hiking and we did not visit the best viewpoint, Hat Point, which has miles of gravel road before you get to it, although there are facilities, and a ranger, according to the help we received, mentioned next.
We stopped in at the area ranger facility for the Wallowa Mountains National Forest Office in Joseph, Oregon. That was quite helpful. Plenty of maps, and informed people to assist you in your visit. No bathrooms, but a public one is nearby, just down the street.
Joseph is a tourist town with lots of shops. It also has many well made public statues scattered up and down the main street. If you are staying in a hotel/motel overnight, I highly recommend reservations. There are very few decent selections in Joseph and nearby Enterprise. We arrived late and everything was full. We drove to Lewiston, Idaho and stayed at the Red Lion Inn. The road there, highway 3 in Oregon and 129 in Washington twists its way through a canyon on the way. The scenery is stunning, but the speed in the canyon is about 30 mph on average. It took two hours to get to Lewiston, but we were in no hurry, and the road actually turned out to be a nice side highlight of the trip. Watch out for deer at dusk!
The road out of Joseph to Hells Canyon, highway 39, is also as twisted as a pretzel and at times it's narrow. Average speed is about 30 mph. It reminded me very much of highway 37 in British Columbia, which is in the middle of nowhere. This felt like the middle of nowhere also. So, if you plan on visiting, allow extra time for the roads. They are in relative good repair, but definitely are "back roads." At times there is no divider line and we were surprised by logging trucks a few times, even though a sign says trucks need special permits to be there. I would recommend honking your horn on steep, blind curves when you come around them, just in case. We stopped at Hells Canyon Overlook. After winding through "tree tunnels" for a while, it takes your breath away to suddenly see this expansive, deep canyon. The overlook is at the end of a three mile tarred road. Worth a stop. (Why else would you be here?)
We also visited the grave site of Chief Joseph, which is just out of Joseph, Oregon. If you are a history buff, it is worth a visit.
We stopped at a small grocery store in Halfway, Oregon, along the way back. Public restrooms are next door. They are clean and there is a small park next to them. People in Halfway were friendly and the town is small. Outside of getting gas, food, or needing a bathroom, it doesn't really have anything to make it stand out from other small towns. The highlight for me was a pink variety of jewelweed planted next to the restrooms. I'm a "plant geek," so it was exciting for me. Never knew one existed before.
Many people come here for the rapids boat trips or for hiking and camping. Being older, 65 and 66, it's not our "thing" anymore, but if it is something you do, then I recommend Hells Canyon for you too. No crowds, lots of scenery, and helpful guides at the forest service offices. I met many other visitors that were there just for those activities and they were all having a great time.
Written 23 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bri I
Northern CA19 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
Pittsburg Landing provides access to Hells Canyon and the Snake River. It's about a one hour drive, each way, from the highway. Even though most of the road is unpaved, it is maintained and is in excellent condition, suitable even for low clearance passenger cars.
One important bit of advice: Take the road to the Upper Landing, which branches to the left, just before the road ends at the Lower Landing. The view of the canyon is much better than at the Lower Landing. The trailhead for the Snake River Trail begins here. I encourage you to walk this trail, even for just 0.5 mile, as the views are quite nice.
One important bit of advice: Take the road to the Upper Landing, which branches to the left, just before the road ends at the Lower Landing. The view of the canyon is much better than at the Lower Landing. The trailhead for the Snake River Trail begins here. I encourage you to walk this trail, even for just 0.5 mile, as the views are quite nice.
Written 29 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Odin_the_Rooster
Clarkston, WA10 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
I have made between 10 and 15 trips up Hells Canyon by both commercial and private jet boats during the past 20 years, and no two are the same. I have stayed overnight at Copper Creek as part of one of the 2-day commercial trips called "US Mail Tour," by Beamer's, and that trip was memorable. Food and lodging were part of the package. Several stops were made going both up and down river at the many historic attractions on either shore. The many species of wildlife that can be observed on the trips is varied, and can include bighorn sheep, river otters, many species of raptors, deer, Great Blue Herons, chukars, quail, pheasant and many more. If you get to Lewiston, Idaho, for whatever reason, don't fail to scratch a trip up Hells Canyon from your bucket list.
Written 30 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JudyMo43
Napa CA1 contribution
Took the day long trip today and it couldn't have been better. The gorge is filled with history, beauty, wildlife and wonder and Gabe knows about it all. The trip was well timed with stops for breaks, food and sightings. Boat is comfortable; food was terrific. And Gabe is a very experienced river traveler who handles the boat safely and well.
Written 23 September 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you recommend a tour guide services for the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area? We are starting in Jackson Hole via all the National Parks and heading through Hells Canyon then stopping along the Snake River to Columbia and Snake Rivers and ending at Pacific Ocean near Portland. Regards XFBI..
Written 29 August 2024
Can you recommend a tour guide services for the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area? We are starting in Jackson Hole via all the National Parks and heading through Hells Canyon then stopping along the Snake River to Columbia and Snake Rivers and ending at Pacific Ocean near Portland. Regards XFBI..
Written 29 August 2024
what town is closest and best to stay in to see hells canyon ? Lewiston seem far ,is riggings a better choice?
Written 20 June 2016
A Tripadvisor member
Rome, Italy
Lewiston is best. All tour boats start there and you have good hotels.
Written 6 July 2016
I'm extremely sensitive towards motion/seasickness so I want to be sure I can handle it before signing up for a jet boat tour at Hells Canyon.
For a whole day tour, how much time would be going through rapids?
Are the rapids all close together or more spread out?
Would the half day tour be enough to see the Canyon?
Written 8 April 2016
There are approx 5-6 rapids between Pittsburg Landing and Hell's Canyon Dam, and the jet boat moves through them quickly. Probably each rapid is 20 seconds in duration. I would be surprised is it would be a problem. I have gotten seasick EVERY time I've been on boat in ocean, and this trip was no problem.
The half day tour would give you a great view of the canyon, but the full day has stops at some of the ranches along the way and those are SUPER interesting.
Written 8 April 2016
How many days do I need to spend? It will be day 10 of a 17 day road trip, so we are looking for minimum time spent to do it some justice. Thanks!
Written 3 May 2015
One day would be a great amount of time to check out Hell's Canyon. If you take one of the jetboat excursions up into the canyon; I'd recommend the all-day package (Hell's Canyon Adventures are excellent guides). It's slightly more money but the trip is better; more scenery, whitewater and stops at various points of interest and lunches are provided. They generally leave the dock around 8 am and will have you back in town by 5 or so (in time for a nice dinner and and a relaxing local wine before heading down the road again).
This the place I call home and the rugged beauty of this place still never ceases to amaze me! Enjoy!!!
Written 4 May 2015
Can you get to it now . . in Winter??
Written 15 January 2015
Most of the jet boat tour companies run a smaller, reduced schedule in the winter due to the weather. It's a great time to go however as you generally see alot of wildlife wintering in the canyon. Additionally; the steelhead fishing is usually top shelf during some of the winter months.
Written 4 May 2015
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