Snake River (Hell's Canyon), Oregon/Idaho

Snake River (Hell's Canyon), Oregon/Idaho at a Glance
Price	What's this?
Class of Rapids	III-IV
Trip Miles	32 or 83 miles
Trip Duration	3 to 6 days
Season	May-October
Raft Type	Paddle Raft, Oar Raft, Inflatable Kayak, Dory
River Sections	Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburgh Landing or Heller Bar
Nearby Towns	Grangeville (ID)
Driving Times	Boise (ID): 3 hours; Missoula (MT): 5 hours
Recommended For	Best of the Best, Scenery, Summer

Snake River and Hell's Canyon, Idaho (PhotoDisc)

The Snake River, designated in 1975 as a National Wild and Scenic River, provides an unforgettable outdoor experience. It is managed to preserve its freeflowing character and unique environment while providing for continued public use. Hells Canyon is the deepest gorge in North America. The canyon is bordered on the east by the rugged Seven Devils range, capped by 9,393-foot He Devil Mountain in Idaho. At the mouth of Granite Creek, approximately 7 miles below Hells Canyon Dam, the river elevation is 1,480 feet and the canyon depth is 7,913 feet. On the west, the gorge is edged by Oregon's rim country, which rises to an elevation of 6,982 feet at Hat Point Lookout.

The river flows through the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA), and forms the boundary between Idaho and Oregon. Although the NRA includes portions of the Nez Perce, Payette and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, it is managed by the Wallowa-Whitman. It includes the Hells Canyon Wilderness and the Snake River segment of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The 31.5-mile section of river between Hells Canyon Dam and Pittsburg Landing is designated "Wild" under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The 36-mile section of river downstream from Pittsburg Landing to mile 180.2 is designated "Scenic." An additional 4.2 miles of the river from mile 180.2 north to the NRA boundary at the Oregon-Washington line is recommended for "Scenic" designation.

The Wild and Scenic Snake River Corridor extends approximately one-quarter mile back from the high water mark on each shore. The river corridor itself is not wilderness, and wilderness regulations do not apply; developed campsites and manmade structures exist, and some motorized equipment is allowed. Some areas on either side of the corridor, however, are designated wilderness and closed to mechanized travel. If you want to visit the wilderness, it must be by foot or horseback. Uncommon on most Wild and Scenic Rivers, powerboats have been used on the river for many years and their continued use is still allowed.

Tour Operator Trips on the Snake River (Hell's Canyon), Oregon/Idaho

Price		Tour Operator
$800 3 days	Snake River Rafting through Hell's Canyon Rafting in Idaho, Oregon Where Idaho ends and Oregon begins you find Hell's Canyon, a 7000-foot deep abyss forged by the Snake River....	Holiday Expeditions
$990 3 - 5 days	Idaho Rafting - Snake River in Hells Canyon Rafting in Idaho The deepest river gorge in North America, straddling the borders of Idaho and Oregon, Hells Canyon is a place of...	ROW Adventures
$1220 4 - 6 days	Idaho Rafting - Snake River Hells Canyon Rafting in Idaho Straddling the borders of Idaho and Oregon, the Snake River cuts through the deepest river gorge in North...	Western River Expeditions
$925 3 - 5 days	Hells Canyon Rafting on the Snake River Rafting in Idaho Hells Canyon, home of the mighty Snake River, is the deepest gorge in North America. Marking the border between...	O.A.R.S
$406 2 - 3 days	Snake River Rafting / Jackson Lake Kayaking Trip Sea, Kayaking in Wyoming An extra step into the Wyoming backcountry, where few tread or tour. Add an extra few days to your visit - or up...	O.A.R.S
$970 3 - 6 days	Family Rafting through Snake River Hell's Canyon Rafting in Idaho Where the Snake River heads north and forms the border between Idaho and Oregon, it forms Hells Canyon, the...	Hell's Canyon Raft Inc.
$250 2 - 5 days	Hell's Canyon Saddles & Paddles Horseback Riding, Rafting in Idaho Spring, Summer and Fall trips are cool with incredible flowers, and warm days. After a three day river trip,...	Hell's Canyon Raft Inc.
$1440 4 days	Hell's Canyon Sportsman's Package Rafting, in Idaho Starting in mid-September you can fish for steelhead trout, or bird hunt for Chukar partridge all day long. We...	Hell's Canyon Raft Inc.

* Trip price reflects the average cost per day for a guided rafting adventure on a given river (

= $50-$100/day;

= $100-$250/day;

= $250 or more/day) and accounts for half-day, full-day, or multiday rafting excursions. Lodging, dining, and transportation costs (airfare, car rental/shuttle, equipment rentals, etc.) have not been factored into account. Please note that the trip price classification is intended to be an approximate guideline, as the range of prices on a given river can vary based on amenities, services, and customized add-ons offered through individual outfitters.