Hells Canyon, ID-OR

Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America, and at the bottom of it rolls the biggest whitewater in Idaho and Oregon. The Snake River forms the border between the two states here, with basalt walls, sandy camps and thousands of years of history, from pictographs to pioneer ranches.

The river

The run starts below Hells Canyon Dam, and the big rapids come early, class IV drops that rival the Grand Canyon. By the second half of day two the river settles into a comfortable float with big rocks to jump off and sand to sleep on. Stops include historic Kirkwood Ranch, pictographs you can walk right up to, and the hike to Suicide Point, an easy climb to the best view of the gorge. No other short river trip offers this much wildlife, this many fish and this much history, and bird watchers go nuts here. Below Pittsburg Landing the canyon runs on to the Salmon confluence.

Trips in Hells Canyon

Orange Torpedo Trips runs a single-day class IV trip with a jet boat ride back to the dam, something only we offer, plus 3-day and 5-day camping trips that launch together from Riggins. The 4-day bass and sturgeon fishing trip includes all spin tackle and keeps two guests per guide, with 100-fish days on smallmouth and a shot at a white sturgeon. In late September we add a 4-day cast and blast trip that pairs the fishing with bird hunting. Whitewater Cowboys rents fully rigged oared rafts, river toilets and fire pans for private trips and drops gear at the dam.

When to go

Hells Canyon runs late May through September. June and early July bring the highest flows and the most stops, late summer brings warm water and warm sand. The minimum age is 7 most of the season and 12 on early high-water trips.

Getting there

Multi-day trips meet at our Riggins shop the night before, then leave at 6 a.m. for the three-hour drive to the dam. The single-day trip meets at the Hells Canyon Creek Visitor Center. Private boaters need a summer launch permit, and we can handle the gear.