" " Hells Canyon Home " " " " silhouette image of bighorn sheep
" "
Hells Canyon Overview linkThings to See and Do linkLife and the Land linkAbout Forest Service Management link
" "

   
 

Rugged canyon view of the Snake River in Hells Canyon NRAHells Canyon Overview

FAST FACTS

  • Establishment: The National Recreation Area was established by Congress Dec. 31, 1975 (learn more)
  • Wilderness: The HCNRA includes 215,000 acres of wilderness (learn more).
  • Wild and Scenic Rivers: The Hells Canyon HCNRA has three rivers which are designated Wild and Scenic: the Snake, Imnaha and Rapid rivers (learn more).
  • Trails: Almost 900 miles of trails are available in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and other uses.
  • Camping and Picnicking: Thirty-six sites with varying levels of development are available for camping and day use (Oregon sites, Idaho sites).

Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge, Read all about it in the "Pocket Guide"encompasses a vast and remote region with dramatic changes in elevation, terrain, climate and vegetation. Carved by the great Snake River, Hells Canyon plunges more than a mile below Oregon's west rim, and 8,000 feet below snowcapped He Devil Peak of Idaho's Seven Devils Mountains. There are no roads across Hells Canyon's 10-mile wide expanse, and only three roads that lead to the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam and the Oregon-Washington boundary.

Hells Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon, with an 8,043 drop from He Devil peak (east rim) to the Snake River.

 

Thumbnail map of Hells Canyon NRABy any measure, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is immense. This map will help you get oriented:

 

Map of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington showing the location of Hells Canyon NRA
Hells Canyon NRA straddles the borders of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho with over 650,000 acres of beauty and adventure...

 

LOCAL COMMUNITIES near the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area welcome visitors with lodging, supplies, and services year round.

The town of Halfway, Oregon

Discover rural life in America with vibrant turn-of-the-century historic districts. Explore the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center at Flagstaff Hill, near Baker City. Marvel at bronze sculptures at foundries in Joseph. Step aboard a jet boat at Lewiston or at Hells Canyon Dam. Begin your trip into the Seven Devils Mountains from Riggins. Area outfitters offer a variety of services. Local and state tourism offices can help you with your travel plans.

 

Cradle of the Snake, title imageCradle of the Snake -- a video presentation.

"Caring for the Land and Serving People"

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is part of the Wallowa-Whitman, Nez Perce, and Payette National Forests. Congress directed the Forest Service to manage this area for many activities. In addition to recreation, you may see other examples of "Caring for the Land and Serving People," including removal of dead or diseased trees to improve forest health, or activities to enhance range conditions for both wildlife and livestock. The Forest Service welcomes ideas on how to improve the stewardship of your National Forests.

 

 

 

 
  Hells Canyon
Overview:
  Sensational Hells Canyon
  Locator Maps
  Community Links
   
arrow image
arrow image
" "

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

" "
Go to the homepage for the USDA Forest Service Click on this image for the Table of Contents. This page consists of a top graphic border resembling the sky over hills, with a side border that includes an area for navigation links and a petroglyph of a bighorn sheep.