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Snake River: Hells Canyon

The Snake River from Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing is a scenic 32 river miles and 2-4 days of Class III-IV water in a deep canyon. The trip can be extended by another 47 miles and several days of Class II boating from Pittsburg Landing to Heller Bar.

Flow

  • Gauge operated by Idaho Power: Snake River at Hells Canyon Dam ID-Or State Line
  • NOAA National Water Prediction Service: Snake River at Hells Canyon 
  • NOAA Northwest River Forecast Center: Snake at Hells Canyon Dam (HCDI1)
  • Recommended range: 7,000 cfs to 80,000 cfs; the several Class III and two Class IV rapids at flows below 25,000 cfs become more difficult at flows above 25,000 cfs
  • Hells Canyon Dam regulates flows for power production generally between 8,000 and 20,000 cfs with daily flow fluctuations typically peaking in the afternoon and dropping at night. Spring flows peak between 30,000 cfs and 100,000 cfs. Flows <25,000 cfs are more commonly found starting in July through the autumn months.

Put-in and take outs

Put-in

  • Hells Canyon Creek Boat Launch (RM 246.9). Located 1 mile downstream of Hells Canyon Dam on river left. Packrafters should use the downstream of two launches; the upstream launch is intended for launching trailered boats. The site has vault toilets and covered picnic tables. There is no potable water. Copperfield Campground is 23 miles upstream and Hells Canyon Campground 17 miles upstream.

Take-outs

  • Pittsburg Landing (RM 215.0). River right. If only running the first 32 miles, take out here. The site has vault toilets, potable water, and shaded picnic tables. Nearby Pittsburg Campground has 28 camp sites.
  • Heller Bar (RM 168.3). On river left at a Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife ramp (Discover Pass required). The site has a vault toilet.

On the River

Camping

Campsites are first-come, first-served. See RiverMaps Guide to the Snake River in Hells Canyon and the Lower Salmon River by Whitis and Vinson and US Forest Service Boater’s Guide for the Wild and Scenic Snake River for campsite locations and information.

Notable rapids

Between Hells Canyon Dam and Pittsburg Landing there are about eight Class II or II+ rapids, three Class III or III+, and two Class IV rapids. The Class III and IV rapids are:

  • Wild Sheep Rapids, Class IV, mile 5.53 (RM 241.3), is one of the more challenging of Hells Canyon’s rapids. Holes and rocks on the left and right generally favor a run down the center, starting left of center and moving right. Scout from river left.
  • Granite Rapids, Class IV, mile 7.72 (RM 239.2), the other Class IV drop, has a large boulder creating a hole in the center at the top of the rapid, and running left is often preferred. Scout on river right just below Lower Granite Creek Camp, a large camp on a long grassy bench.
  • Lower Bernard Creek Rapids, Class III+, mile 11.98 (RM 234.9) has a pour-over hole on the left near the top that is easily avoided. Big waves at lower flows tend to wash out at higher flows.
  • Waterspout Rapids, Class III+, mile 13.18 (RM 233.8) has a sleeper hold on lower left; at lower water, run from center left and then hard right before getting to the bottom. There are more options for running the rapids above 14,000 cfs. To scout right, eddy out 200 yards upstream at the base of a cliff and follow a trail downstream, watching for poison ivy and rattlesnakes.
  • Rush Creek Rapids, Class III+, mile 15.57 (RM 231.3) has a mid-channel boulder at top center that can form a large hydraulic below the horizon line. The easier route is the right side of the river down a wave train. The rapid can be scouted from the left, pulling out well upstream to have enough time to cross back to river right.

The river between Pittsburg Landing and Heller Bar has a couple dozen Class II rapids and one Class III rapid, Imnaha Bar at RM 191.5. There are also long flat stretches, especially downstream of the Salmon River confluence at RM 188.2, that are subject to up-canyon winds.

Logistics

Permits

  • For the designated Wild section of the river (Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing): Permits during peak season (in 2025, May 22 to September 10) are through the 4 Rivers Lottery on recreation.gov. In 2025, lottery applications open December 1 and close January 31, with results available February 14. Unconfirmed, declined and cancelled lottery dates are released for reservation starting at 8AM Pacific Time. Permits are self-issue outside the lottery period.
  • For the designated Scenic section (Pittsburg Landing to Heller Bar): Reservations are required for Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays during the primary season. Reservations are made by calling the Clarkston Forest Service Office (509-758-0616). Launches Monday through Thursday (except holidays) do not require advanced reservations and can be self-issued.

Guides, Maps, & On-Line Resources

Car Shuttles

  • The Hells Canyon Dam launch site is 189 road miles to Pittsburg Landing and 184 to Heller Landing.

Water

  • Snake River water quality is notoriously poor in Hells Canyon. Bring potable water or, if necessary, use treated water from minor tributaries with caution.

Waste

Human waste must be carried out. Waste can be disposed of post-trip at the following sites:

  • Riggins, Idaho: A SCAT machine is located at the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area office at 1339 Highway 95. This machine is designed for cleaning self-contained river toilets, not RV-style toilets.
  • Asotin, Washington: Another SCAT machine is available at Chief Looking Glass Park on 1st Street.
  • Hammer Creek Recreation Site, Idaho: An RV dump station is available at the Hammer Creek Recreation Site, suitable for systems equipped with a 3-inch hose attachment.

Fires

No campfires are allowed from June 1st through September 30th. To have a fire outside of this season, a firepan with sides at least 3” high is required, wood must be packed in, and ashes packed out.

  • Difficulty: Class IV River
  • Length: 32.0 mi
  • 1,460 ft
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