Snake River Hells Canyon

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.