Hells Canyon
Hells Canyon is a dramatic and remote river gorge formed by the Snake and Columbia rivers. It offers wildriver landscapes, tribal history, and multi-state outdoor routes.
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Geography
| Address | Hells Canyon NR, ID, USAHells Canyon Scenic Byway |
|---|---|
| Continent | North America |
| Region | Northwest USA |
| Subregion | Pacific Northwest |
| Country | United States |
| State | Idaho |
| County | Nez Perce County |
| District | Hells Canyon National Recreation Area |
| City | Oxbow |
| Timezone | AmericaLos Angeles |
| Latitude | 45.929 |
| Longitude | -116.303 |
| Maps |
11:53 AM LOCAL TIMEHells Canyon is a vast and rugged basin carved by the Snake and Columbia rivers across northern Idaho, eastern Oregon, and southern Washington. At over 8,000 ft (2,440 m) of elevation and more than 10,000 ft (3,050 m) of canyon depth, the area delivers steep cliffs, wildriver rapids, and remote wilderness. The landscape is shaped by a mix of granite and basalt, with alpine tributaries giving way to warmer tributary valleys. It's a place of dual and contested history — home to tribal nations like the Nez Perce, and later fur traders and settlers. Visitors come for whitewater rafting and kayaking, backcountry hiking and camping, and to stand at canyon rim viewpoints. Infrastructure is sparse, but key routes like the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway provide access; trail options vary from short overlooks to multi-day river descents. Given its size and remoteness, plan carefully: check current conditions, arrive prepared for changing weather, and respect tribal lands and protected wildriver flows.
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