Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Oregon's Hells Canyon National Recreation Area has some of the most extensive intact grasslands in the region

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The Wallowa Mountain Scenic Byway runs through or directly adjacent to all of the sites. Use continues to increase as more recreationists are made aware of this scenic route.

Kirkwood Historical Ranch is the former home of Idaho's Governor Len Jordan, the site of Grace Jordon's book Home below Hells Canyon and the Carter Mansion, and has archaeological evidence of human habitation dating back 7,100 years. Accessible only by boat or trail, this site is visited by approximately 20,000 people per year.

Program strengths include the prehistoric and historic heritage resource, the historic structures, artifact and outside exhibits, and the strong support by volunteers in staffing and maintaining this site.

Cache Creek Ranch serves as the northernmost portal to the Snake River within Hells Canyon. It functions as a contact station for boaters who need permits to use the river and as an interpretive site focusing on the ecology of Hells Canyon and more recent ranching history. It is a rich archaeological site with rock art and other evidence of prehistoric human habitation.

Program strengths include the prehistoric and historic heritage resource, exhibits, docks, staff housing, and the strong support by volunteers in staffing and maintaining this site.