Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Hells Canyon Creek Recreation Site serves as a destination location for the touring public and as an access site for floaters and jetboaters. One of the highest volume outfitter and guide business begins and ends virtually all of their jetboat trips from this location, and 14 of 15 float outfitter and guide businesses use this site for all of their Hells Canyon float trips.

This site has a new small visitor and boater information center. Facilities include a small video theater, interpretative displays, restrooms, paved parking areas, boat docks, boat ramp, short hiking trail, and picnic tables. The site is fully accessible. Visitation is likely to exceed 30,000 people during the season that this site is staffed (May to September). Visitation continues during the cool months but the site is not staffed. Flood damage in 1997 made the area largely inaccessible, but it is expected to be fully operational later this season.

People come to this site to view the Snake River, to access the Snake River for single and multi-day whitewater trips by both floatboat and jetboat, and to enjoy the site and its natural amenities by hiking, fishing, swimming, and picnicking.

The River Program includes approximately 100 dispersed river camps in both Wild River and Scenic River areas. Most of these sites receive year-round use from powerboaters who camp at these sites while hunting or fishing in Hells Canyon. These sites receive additional heavy use in the spring, summer, and fall from hikers, equestrians, and floatboaters. In addition to the river camps, there are historic cabins and homesteads, as well as many prehistoric sites such as rock art, pithouses, and possible battle sites.

Snake River Permits and Reservations

Reservations are required to launch float trips from locations along the river between Hells Canyon Dam and Pittsburg Landing from the Friday preceding Memorial Day through September 10. For reservations, call 509-758-1957.

Self-issue permits are required for all float trips launching from Pittsburg Landing and downstream. Self-issue permits are required for powerboaters in all river sections. Self-issue permits are available at Cache Creek, Lower Salmon River, Pittsburg Landing, Dug Bar, and Hells Canyon Dam. Permit requirements are being enforced; be sure to have the appropriate permit.

NOTE: The water level of the Snake River fluctuates daily. For current water levels, call Idaho Power at 800-422-3143. Caution is advised when securing your boat overnight. A suggestion is to turn the nose of your boat facing the river and anchor away from shore as far as possible. The ramp at Hells Canyon Creek is unusable for trailered craft at flows below 6,000 CFS.

Campfires are prohibited in Snake River Corridor. Firepans are required year-round. Permissible means of heat are: (1) Enclosed wood stoves, with screen over chimney, (2) Portable brazier/grill—for use with charcoal briquets, (3) gas stoves—pressurized liquid or gas.