Hells Canyon
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Snake River, Idaho
Hells Canyon River Rafting Guide
Splitting the Idaho and Oregon border, the Snake River through Hells Canyon offers big rapids, amazing scenery, and rich history. Hells Canyon is part of the Four Rivers Lottery.
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This guide was built by ROW Adventures. Based out of Coeur d’Alene, ID, ROW runs whitewater rafting trips throughout the west. Learn more about ROW Adventures here.
Hells Canyon Boat Launch to Heller Bar – Class II, III & IV
Running nearly 80 miles to Heller Bar, Hells Canyon is considered a must-do multi-day rafting trip.
Mile 0 – Hells Canyon Boat Launch
River Left. A long boat ramp. At the boat launch, you’ll find limited parking and a bathroom.
Mile 0.5 – Cliff Mountain Rapids
Class II. Stay off the rock face on river right, current pushes into wall.
Mile 1.1 – Stud Creek Campsite
River Left. Large Group, Shade amongst the trees.
Mile 1.2 – Lamont Springs Campsite
River Right. Large Group, Beach.
Mile 1.8 – Square Beach Campsite
River Right. Small Group, Beach.
Mile 2.2 – Brush Creek Rapids
Roller Coaster Wave Train – read and run
Mile 2.3 – Brush Creek Campsite
River Right. Sandy beach below the mouth of the creek. Medium Group
Mile 3.4 – Rocky Point Campsite
River Right. Medium Group – shade
Mile 3.4 – Rocky Point Rapids
Roller Coaster Wave Train – read and run – left of center
Mile 3.6 – Chimney Bar
River Right. Large Group – Shade
Mile 3.9 – Warm Springs Pit House Depressions
Depressions from Native American Pit House Dwellings – Please be respectful of cultural heritage when visiting this site.
Mile 4 – Warm Springs Campsite
River Right. Large Group – Rocky Beach Landing – Shade
Mile 4.6 – Barton Cabin
Historic Homesteaders Cabin Built in 1932 by Ralph Barton.
Mile 4.6 – Barton Cabin Stop
River Left. Catch this eddy to walk up to the Barton Cabin
Mile 4.7 – Battle Creek Campsite
River Left. Large group – shade.
Mile 5.2 – Sand Dunes Campsite
River Left. Small Group – Sandy beach at some water levels.
Mile 5.5 – Birch Springs Campsite
River Right. Medium Group – Rocky Beach
Mile 5.8 – Wild Sheep Scout and Campsite
River Left. Medium Group – Rocky Beach
Mile 5.8 – Wild Sheep Rapid
Large waves and hydraulics and the longest rapid on the river. Scouting from river left highly recommended. The line here changes at different water levels. At most flows, the run is enter river left and pull hard to center. T-up to the big breaking laterals coming off the left towards the bottom. At high water there is a river right run through powerful waves and hydraulics.
Mile 6.6 – Rock Bar Campsite
River Right. Large group – rocky beach.
Mile 7.4 – Upper Granite Creek Campsite
River Right. Large Group – Landing in rocky cove. Camp sits on bench above the creek.
Mile 7.5 – Lower Granite Creek Campsite
River Right. Large Group – Land towards the end of the bench. Campsite is up on the bench above the river.
Mile 7.7 – Granite Rapids Scout
River Right. Scouting highly recommended. Follow the path along the base of the cliffs for a good overlook over the rapid. Stop and admire the pictographs along the trail, please respect these cultuatlly important artifacts and do not touch.
Mile 7.8 – Granite Rapid
A relatively short rapid with impressive hydraulics. Lines change at different flows. A large rock submerged in the middle of the river creates a huge feature. At flows under 20,000 CFS the standard line is river left past the big drop, then follow the tongue back to center. At around 19,000 cfs and above an exciting line opens up in the middle of the river known as the green room, hit it just right or risk giant boat flipping laterals to your right and your left. There is also a river right line at certain flows.
Mile 7.9 – Cache Creek Campsite
River Left. Large Group – Campsite on grassy bench high above the river. Landing is in swift current.
Mile 8.8 – Three Creek Rapid
Read and run wave train.
Mile 9 – Three Creek Campsite
River Right. Large group camp with a steep climb to the bench. Has shade.
Mile 9.1 – Upper Oregon Hole Campsite
River Left. Small Group – Rocky Shoreline.
Mile 9.2 – Oregon Hole Campsite
River Left. Large Group Camp with some shade. Rocky Shoreline.
Mile 9.5 – Upper Dry Gulch
River Right. Large Group Camp. Has shade and an easy landing.
Mile 9.8 – Lower Dry Gulch
River Right. Large group camp with some shade and a spring near the river.
Mile 10.2 – Hastings Campsite
River Right. Medium Group. Low gravel bar at lower flows. This area has evidence of placer mining.
Mile 10.8 – Saddle Creek Campsite
River Left. Large Group Camp. Some shade up high, water in the creek. Eddy can be non-existent at high water (above 30,000)
Mile 10.8 – Saddle Creek POI
Settled in 1895 by Fred Jensen and Tim McCarty. Later was inhabited by Pete wilson and family from 1916-1937. Members of the Wilson family have maintained a connection with the canyon for many years since.
Mile 11.7 – Upper Bernard Creek Rapid
This is a short rapid, but don’t let it catch you by surprise. Follow the obvious channel, the weakness is generally on the left side of this channel. At lower flows, it can be quite steep on the right. Scout if you’re unsure!
Mile 11.7 – McGaffee Cabin
The cabin was originally built in 1905 by Bill Hiltsley. It was then sold to Billy, and Fred, and “Gene” McGaffe. They homesteaded and ran cows in the Bernard Creek area. Enjoy the historic newspaper clippings on the walls.
Mile 11.8 – Bernard Creek Campsite
River Right. Large Group campsite. Good landing downstream of the creek, usually on a gravel bar. Follow the trail up to the campsite. Has shade and water.
Mile 11.8 – Bernard Creek Rapid
A longer rapid with a large standing wave in the lower half. It gets softer as the water rises. Kayak surfing can be good here at certain flows.
Mile 13.3 – Waterspout Rapid
River mile 234. Class III or IV depending on water levels. There is a rock at the lower end of the rapid just left of center that creates a large hole at certain water levels. Higher water levels will wash out some of this rapid.Scouting possible from either side of the river. River right offers a shorter walk.
Mile 13.8 – Bills Creek Rapid
Read and run wave train rapid.
Mile 15.1 – Sluice Creek Rapid
Roller Coaseter Waves.
Mile 15.2 – Sluice Creek
River Left. This is an air landing strip with dispersed camping allowed. Challengiing Carry. Great for large groups. Can be a difficult landing because of strong currents. Set up early.
Mile 15.6 – Rush Creek Rapids
This series of rapids is indicated by a large rock at the top of the rapids in the center of the river. This rock create a large hole that create turbulent water at all levels
Mile 15.7 – Rush Creek Campsite
River Left. Tough Landing, rocky beach, but ample camping up top.
Mile 17.1 – Johnson Bar Landing
River Right. Large group, sandy beach.
Mile 17.4 – Sheep Creek Rapids
Some rocks to avoid throughout. Read and run.
Mile 17.6 – Sheep Creek
River Right. Pull in at the creek. Camp is on the upstream side of the creek. Water is avaiable here.
Mile 17.7 – Sheep Creek Cabin
River Right. Historical homestead from 1884.
Mile 17.8 – Steep Creek Campsite
River Right. Beach campsite at low water. Medium Group
Mile 18 – Dry Diggins View
Look up to see the Dry Diggins Ridge towering 6400 feet above you. This is the highest visible point on the Idaho side of the river at elevation 7,828 feet.
Mile 18.4 – Yreka Bar
Large group, shady camp, river left.
Mile 18.7 – Upper Sand Creek Campsite
River Left. Medium Group, no shade.
Mile 19.5 – Pine Bar
River Right. Large Group, beach with shade. Multiple groups may be able to camp at opposite ends of this large camp.
Mile 20 – High Bar
River Left. This large gravel bar was formed by a large landlisde followed by the intense power of the Bonnevile Floods about 15,000 years ago.
Mile 20.5 – Upper Quartz Creek
River Left. Large group, rocky beach, little shade.
Mile 20.8 – Lower Quartz Creek
River Left. Large group, beach, some shade.
Mile 21.8 – Caribou Creek
River Right. Large group site with shade. Located just below Caribou Creek
Mile 22.5 – Dry Gulch
River Left. Large group, great beach with some shade. Sun sets late.
Mile 22.5 – Big Bar Campsite and Airstrip
River Right. Large group camp at end of public airstrip.
Mile 23.3 – Temperance Creek Ranch
River Left. An old sheep ranch. Camping is prohibited.
Mile 24.1 – Hominy Bar
River Left. Large group camp at low and medium water levels.
Mile 24.2 – Suicide Point
Hiking trail on river right (Idaho side). Climb roughly 400 feet above the river gaining spectacular views. Be alert for rattlesnakes on the trail. Hike can be accessed from Upstream or Downstreas, but downstream is more common and slightly easier.
Mile 24.3 – Suicide Point Hike Access 1
Possible to access Suicide Point hiking trail from here. This access is ideal if you have members of your party who can float the boats around to Gracie Bar or all the way to Kirkwood Historic Ranch. Hiking acess is overall easier from the downstream side of Suicide Point.
Mile 24.4 – Salt Creek
River Left. Large group, beach with shade and water from Salt Creek.
Mile 24.8 – Two Corral Creek Campsite
River Left. Beach, some shade, large group.
Mile 25 – Gracie Bar
River Right. Large group site with shade, good landing. Good hiking access to Suicide Point.
Mile 25.4 – Half Moon Bar
River Right. Small site best for a small group. Easy landing to this camp. Hiking acess to suicide point and Kirkwood.
Mile 26 – Slaughter Gulch
River Left. Large group site with an easy landing.
Mile 26.3 – Kirkwood Historic Ranch
River Right. A historic ranch, museum, and interpretive site that is staffed year round. No drinking water but there are toilets. Communication is available to report on river emergencies or fires. Evacuation may be possible by 4×4 vehicle here, but a jet boat is likely much faster.
Mile 26.7 – Kirkwood Bar Campsites
River Right. Four large group camp sites with toilets, tables, and shade. These campsites are accessible by river or by an easy walk from Kirkwood Ranch.
Mile 27 – Yankee Bar
River Left. Small group beach camp with little shade. – Current conditions unknown…
Mile 27.4 – Russel Bar
River Right. Large group site with some shade.
Mile 28.1 – Kirby Creek Rapids
Large wave train. Read and run.
Mile 28.3 – Kirby Creek Lodge
River Right. Private Lodge, no camping.
Mile 28.7 – Cat Gulch
River Right. Small beach camp with shade best for medium sized groups.
Mile 30 – Corral Creek Campsite
River Right. Cobble Beach, shade, water available at creek upstream. Large Group. (Small Camp at mouth of creek also)
Mile 30.5 – Wild & Scenic River Boundary
Thanks to the Wild & Scenic River Act of 1968, from this point the river going north is considered scenic, and the river south of this point is considered wild.
Mile 30.6 – Fish Trap Bar
River Left. Large group sandy beach site.
Mile 30.7 – Upper Pittsburg Landing
River Right. Six campsites accessible by road. There are tables, toilets, some shade and no water here.
Mile 31.3 – Wilson Eddy Campsite
River Left. Large Group camp with some shade.
Mile 32.1 – Pittsburg Landing
River Right. Road acceesible boat launch. theres a visitors information center where you can report fire and other emergencies. No camping is available here. Potable water available via spigot. Most 3 and 4 day rafting trips takeout here.
Mile 33 – Pleasant Valley Campsites
Several campsites on river right in this area. May be occupied by road access users.
Mile 33.5 – Pleasant Valley Rapids
Rocks above the rapids indicate the beginning of Pleasant Valley. Tubulent water that creates Class II or III rapids depending on water level. Read and run.
Mile 34 – Proposed Pleasant Valley Dam
Proposed Pleasant Valley dam site from 1954. Yellow paint on both sides of the canyon indicate the exact proposed location and height. The reservoir from this dam would have backed up all the way to the base of Hells Canyon Dam. Wild and Scenic protection prevents this from ever being built.
Mile 34.6 – Davis Creek
River Left. Medium group camp with an easy landing.
Mile 35 – McCarty Creek
River Left. Medium group camp.
Mile 36.4 – Big Canyon
River Right. Large group camp site with water and shade available.
Mile 36.6 – Lower Big Canyon
River Right. Small group sandy beach camp.
Mile 36.6 – Campsite
River Left. Medium Group Camp. Some Shade
Mile 37 – Somers Creek Campsite
River Left. Shade, Large Group.
Mile 37.2 – Camp Creek
River Left. Large group sandy beach site.
Mile 37.6 – Tyron Creek
River Left. Large group site with water and shade available.
Mile 39 – Lookout Creek
River Left. Large group site with minimal shade.
Mile 41.6 – Copper Creek Resort
River Left. Large lodge with cabins under special use permit. Camping is prohibited here. Copper creek was initially settled in 1900 by Billy Rankin.
Mile 42.5 – Bob Creek
River Left. Large group sandy beach
Mile 45.1 – Bar Creek
River Left. Large group site with shade
Mile 47.7 – Deep Creek Campsite
Tough Carry. Small to medium Group
Mile 47.8 – Chinese Miners Massacre Site
River Left. In May of 1887, a band of outlaws tortured and murdered 31 Chinese Miners at the mouth of Deep Creek. They ransacked their camp looking for gold. Three men stood trial with no conviction. No one was ever punished for this atrocity. Two stone walls are reminants of the Chinese Miners homes. A memorial was erected here in 2012.
Mile 48.6 – Robinson Gulch
River Left. Large group site with shade.
Mile 48.8 – Dug Creek
River Left. Small group site with water accessible.
Mile 50.3 – Nez Perce Crossing
In the spring of 1877 The Nez Perce tribe was ordered by the US Government to leave their homelands and go to the reservation in Lapwai, Idaho.With the US Cavalry in pursuit, the Nez Perce crossed the river here with all of their members, horses, cattle, etc in spring flood water levels. The Cavalry were to afraid to do the same.
Mile 50.4 – Dug Bar Landing
River Left. Small primitive boat launch road accessible with high clearance 4WD only. Toilets can be found here. Camping is allowed here, but prepare to be visited by other users.
Mile 51.9 – Warm Springs Rapid
Read and run. Class III at high flows.
Mile 53 – Zig Zag
River Right. Small group sandy beach site.
Mile 54.6 – China Bar
River Left. Large group sandy beach site.
Mile 55.3 – Imnaha Camp and Mine Tunnel
River Left. Medium group campsite with a tough carry at low water. Old mineral mine from 1903 just up the river. Closed with gates to protect the endangered Townsend’s big-eared bats.
Mile 55.4 – Imnaha Rapids
Class III read in run in lower levels with some rocky spots. Usually washes out in high flows.
Mile 56.6 – Knight Creek
River Left. Large group site with shade and water.
Mile 57.2 – Sinking of the Imnaha
Look for iron rings in the rock walls on either side of the river. These were used to winch steam boats up through the rapids. One fateful day the cable winching the Imnaha got tangled disabling the paddle wheel causing the steamboat to drift back into the rapids, turn sideways, get stuck, and slowly get torn apart by the force of the river.
Mile 58.7 – Salmon River Confluence
The Snake meets the Salmon River at this point. The Salmon is longest undammed river in the Lower 48.
Mile 58.8 – Salmon River Falls
Class II. Immediately downstream of the confluence with the Snake River is a read-and-run rapid. There are camps on both the right and left just below this rapid.
Mile 59.1 – Salmon Bar Camp
River Left. On the inside of a big left-hand turn in the river, there is a nice camp on the left.
Mile 59.2 – Salmon Falls Beach
River Right. A medium/large sandy beach is on the right-hand side, just below an island in the river. This camp is also known as “Chicago” for the big, windy city.
Mile 59.3 – Mr Peanut
Look up on the Oregon side ridge for an interesting rock formation. Some say it looks like Mr Peanut playing the Piano.
Mile 61 – Cave Cove
River Left. Large Campsite that features a shallow cave in the wall behind the campsite.
Mile 62 – Cherry Creek
River Left. Cherry Creek enters the Snake River on the left side, there is a small waterfall here.
Mile 62.3 – Frenchy Creek Rapid
Class II. Frenchy Creek Rapid is a long, fun wavetrain. Read and run, and enjoy.
Mile 62.5 – Upper Geneva Bar
River Left. Very large campsite. Often occupied by outfitters.
Mile 62.6 – Lower Geneva Bar
River Left. Just downstream of Upper Geneva, this is another large beach that outfitters can often be spotted staying at.
Mile 63.2 – Taco Bell Beach
River Left. Taco Bell Beach is a large beach on the right.
Mile 63.8 – Cook Creek Confluence
River Left. Cook Creek enters the Snake River from the left side. There is a nice camp just downstream
Mile 64.4 – Sentinel Rock Camp
River Left. Medium/Large campsite with a great eddy.
Mile 65 – Jim Creek Camp
River Left. Jim Creek is a large campsite. Jim Creek itself enters the Snake River on the downstream side of the camp.
Mile 65.2 – Lower Jim Creek Camp
River Left. Large Campsite.
Mile 65.4 – Across the meat Camp
River Left. An interestingly named campsite. Large campsite.
Mile 65.5 – Meat Hole Camp
River Right. Possibly an even worse name. Large campsite with a strong eddy near the bottom.
Mile 66 – Upper Cottonwood Camp
River Right. Large campsite with a singular tree right in the center.
Mile 66.3 – Cottonwood Creek Confluence
River Right. Cottonwood Creek enters the Lower Salmon from the right-hand side. There are nice campsites just upstream and downstream of this not-so-major confluence.
Mile 66.4 – Lower Cottonwood Camp
River Right. Large campsite just below Cottonwood Creek
Mile 67.5 – Across from Upper Cougar
River Left. Large beach opposite Upper Cougar.
Mile 67.5 – Upper Cougar Camp
River Right. Upper Cougar Camp is a large campsite.
Mile 69 – Little Cougar Creek Rapid
Class II. The river splits into a left and right channel. The most fun line is on the right side of the island. It is a fun read-and-run section, working to avoid rocks/holes depending on the flows.
Mile 69.9 – Upper Cache Creek Camp
River Left. Upper Cache Creek Camp is a large beach just upstream of Cache Creek Ranch.
Mile 70.5 – Cache Creek Ranch
River Left. Cache Creek Ranch is worth a stop. There is a cool museum/interpretive site, boat ramp, and toilets.
Mile 71.4 – Upper China Garden
River Right. Upper China Garden is a large camp close to some private homes. Be courteous if you choose to camp in Upper China Garden or China Garden just downstream .
Mile 71.5 – China Garden Camp
River Right. Large campsite close to some private homes.
Mile 71.5 – China Garden Rapid
Class III. Enter China Garden Rapid on the left. Watch for rocks near the bottom of this rapid. As you exit the rapid, say hello to the state of Washington, which will be on river left for the remainder of your journey. Idaho remains on river right.
Mile 71.9 – Lower China Garden
River Right. This large beach becomes smaller during high flows.
Mile 73.3 – Shovel Creek Rapid
Class III. Shovel Creek has a medium-sized wavetrain, but keep your eyes peeled for holes and rocks throughout the rapid.
Mile 74.8 – Wild Goose Rapid
Class III. Wild Goose Rapid is a good time. Stay left of the large island, and hold on through some great wave action in this splashy read-and-run rapid.
Mile 75.3 – Deer Head Rapid
Class II. Deer Head is a great, read-and-run rapid, with fun waves.
Mile 78.3 – Limekiln Rapid
Class II. Limekiln is the final rapid of the Lower Salmon (Snake). There are a couple of shallow sections on the left side of this rapids. Stay right for a fun end to the whitewater.
Mile 79.3 – Grande Ronde River Confluence
River Left. The Grande Ronde River enters the Snake on the left-hand side. This is another great river for whitewater. Just downstream lies the takeout at Heller Bar.
Mile 79.7 – Heller Bar Takeout
River Left. Heller Bar Takeout has a paved boat ramp and bathrooms. It is well-maintained. As always, please be courteous to other boaters who are putting in or taking out at this oft-used river access point. Important: Any vehicles parked at or using the water access site at Heller Bar on the Snake River must have a Washington State Discover Pass. This pass allows for access to recreation lands managed by the State of Washington.