Hells Canyon National Recreation Area•Oregon

00:00     Title
00:15     Seven Devils Road
10:30     Heavens Gate Vista
14:55     Seven Devils Campground
18:29     Hells Gate Idaho State Park
19:14     18th Street Bridge
20:24     Hells Canyon Oregon Boat Launch
21:58     Fin
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Hells Canyon is one of the top summertime destinations in the west and this natural wonder offers endless adventures that range from mild to extremely wild. The Snake River runs through this picturesque canyon, which happens to be the deepest river gorge in North America. There are several state, local and national parks that protect the Hells Canyon region and each offers a unique experience. The main attraction is doing a float trip down the Snake River through the majestic gorge, so this is an aquatic destination that simply must be placed on the lifetime travel destination bucket list!

As mentioned earlier, there are several parks along this section of the Snake River that offer a wide range of outdoor venues that appeal to both land lubbers and water sports enthusiasts. A previously published article describes Hells Gate State Park on the Idaho side of the border, which is just a short distance north of the National Recreation Area. The Idaho park compares to a lush green well maintained city park with all camping and boating amenities included, which appeals to those who have comfort in mind.

The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area also offers some comfortable spots, while more emphasis is placed on good old fashion outdoor adventures, which include lengthy 4x4 trails in the mountains, remote backcountry camping and of course the river rafting trips that will surely be remembered for a lifetime. It is easy to find river rafting excursion companies in nearby small towns.

The Nez Perce National Forest features mountain trail adventures and remote camping in the Idaho side of the Hells Canyon. Alternatively the Wallowa Whitman National Forest Service caters to boaters and anglers on the Oregon side of the line. The Oregon side of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is where the public boat launch ramps are located, so for those who are into aquatic adventures like no other, this is the end of the park to aim for. The Oregon boat launch is a big riverside park with shade trees, picnic tables and walking paths along the banks of the river, which appeals to those who have traveled a long distance to get to this remote wilderness area. This park acts as a river rafting excursion staging area and the parking lot is large enough to handle several large groups at one time. The foot paths offer some great bird watching opportunities, while the shade trees along the banks are perfect for doing some lazy afternoon fishing. For all these reasons, the Oregon boat launch site must be chalked up when planning a Hells Canyon adventure!