This Western U.S. Canyon Is Deeper Than the Grand Canyon and Spans 2 States—and It Has Few Crowds and Stunning River Views

Highlights

• Hell’s Canyon reaches nearly 8,000 feet at its deepest point, 600 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon.

• With fewer tourists, incredible wildlife views, and strong water flow for rafting, early summer is the best time to visit Hell Canyon.

• To make the most of your Hell Canyon trip, book a tour with a local rafting provider or tour company.

To get a clear picture Hell Canyon National Recreation AreaWe will have to look at the numbers. For starters, it’s located between two states: Oregon and Idaho. Covers the entire area 652,488 acresand the gorge named after him, Hell’s Canyon deepest river gorge in North America. Hell Canyon, carved by the Snake River, is approximately 8,000 feet in some places making comparisons with the most iconic strait in the USA, grand canyonsomething natural. Not only is Hell’s Canyon nearly 2,000 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon carved by the Colorado River, it’s also more remote and harder to access (though the journey is worth it).

“The Grand Canyon has gained fame over the decades, attracting media attention long before people knew much about Hell Canyon,” says founder and president Peter Grubb. Queue AdventuresAn Idaho-based company that has been offering rafting and hiking trips in Hell Canyon since the ’80s. “Far fewer people raft Hell’s Canyon each year than the Grand Canyon – permits are tightly controlled by the US Forest Service -[and] Hiking infrastructure is generally less developed and less used than that of the Grand Canyon.” Also, Hell’s Canyon “a canyon with less steep wallsThis means you can “see more stars and get a greater sense of scale and depth than most of the Grand Canyon.”

But like the Grand Canyon, Hell’s Canyon has a deep connection to the Indigenous people who have long called this part of the country home. “The most wonderful thing Saqánpa (Hell Canyon) is located within the homeland of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce), who have maintained their relationship with land and water for over 16,500 years,” says Stacia Morfin (my k’uusn qicxnew’eet or “Takes Care of Water”), CEO Nez Perce Travel. He adds that Hell’s Canyon is “a place of deep cultural, historical and spiritual significance.”

Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area.

What should we do

There are three main ways to see Hell Canyon: rafting trips, jet boat tours, and hikes. “Rafting trips range from three to six days, and five days include riverside walks, rock art of indigenous peoples, pioneer farms, [and] it’s a natural wonder,” says Grubb.

Although you can take a trip along the river on your own, you’ll need specialist whitewater skills and a permit. “Permits to visit the canyon are issued by Hells Canyon National Recreation Area,” he explains. “People who sign up for a trip with an outfitter need not worry because the outfitter fulfills all permits.”

Many companies offer jet boat tours in Hell Canyon. But these typically day-long excursions provide “a superficial view of the canyon,” according to Grubb. However, if you are interested in a jet boat experience that will give you a deeper understanding of Hell Canyon, you can book it. Saqánpa Hell Canyon Jet Boat Tour With Nez Perce Tourism.

“Visiting Saqánpa (Hell Canyon) with any company is an insightful experience, sharing only our Nez Perce Tourism family’s first-hand accounts of the village sites and legendary tales told by Nimiipuu storytellers,” says Ciarra Greene (Sapóoq’is Wiit’as or “What Causes Survival”), the company’s chief executive. “Learning that Nimiipuu culture is intertwined with ecological knowledge and advanced social structures that are not only past but continue today is an experience found nowhere else in the world.”

Hell Canyon Area is also rich hiking trailsand Grubb notes that hikers should plan their trips between May and early June “before the summer heat hits.” One of the most ancient and remarkable things to see in Hell Canyon can be reached by boat or on foot.

“Visiting 6,000-year-old petroglyphs” Buffalo Eddy “This is an experience that we recommend not just once in a lifetime, but as a place to engage to reflect and vision,” Greene says. “Most of the guests we share this experience with are able to see themselves, feel connected to something beyond themselves, and leave with an appreciation for their life journey.”

You can reach the Buffalo Eddy petroglyphs. with a short walk Near the small town of Asotin, Washington (Hells Canyon is located mainly in Oregon and Idaho, but the surrounding national recreation area includes a small section in Washington). The petroglyphs on the Idaho side can only be reached by boat. But whatever you do, whether it’s hiking, boating, rafting, watch out for local wildlife.

“Wildlife in Saqánpa (Hell Canyon) are relatives of the Nimiipuu lifestyle. Visitors may encounter bighorn sheep, elk, moose, black bear, eagles, hawks, and river species such as salmon, steelhead, bass, and sturgeon,” says Morfin. “During our time on the river, we realized that late afternoon is when the bighorn sheep reveal themselves to us. We ask visitors to approach these moments with respect, observe from afar, and understand that you are entering a system of life where all beings have roles and responsibilities.”

A must before or after your Hell Canyon rafting, boat tour or hiking adventure. Spending a day in Lewiston, IdahoPrimary north door to recreation area. “One of the most important places to start the journey to Saqánpa (Hell Canyon) simíinekem“The confluence of the waters is what is today known as Lewiston, Idaho,” says Morfin. “Simíinekem, where the Clearwater and Snake Rivers meet, is a natural meeting point for Nimiipuu. “It has always been a place of movement and connection.”

Best Time to Visit

Your experience in Hell’s Canyon will depend on the weather and season, so plan accordingly. “May, June and September are the best months for the combination of good flows, fewer people and more wildlife,” says Grubb. “Fruit trees planted by farmers are bearing fruit; they bring black bears closer to the river to eat cherries, apricots, plums and blackberries. Since the weather is not so hot, other animals are still closer to the river’s edge than in late summer.”

As summer gets into full swing, Greene shares: “Warm waters attract recreationists “Adventure, wildlife, fishing and culture seekers come from around the world,” and peak season for jet boat tours and rafting trips begins. “Guiding guests to Saqánpa during the summer months allows us to facilitate a story [that] “The walls of the canyon and the ripples in the water in themselves share the opportunity for real personal connection with our homeland,” he says.

When September arrives, expect cooler weather, but sunny days and fewer visitors. “As our touring season winds down, orange and red canyon colors cover the calm waters—a real sight to behold as the canyon begins to return to its resting phase,” says Greene.

How to Get There?

Unlike major tourist destinations, Hell’s Canyon is not a place you can (or should) visit without proper planning. “Cambridge, Idaho, is the best place to enter the river from the south, while Lewiston, Idaho, is the best access point from the north,” says Grubb. If you opt for the latter, one of the more popular options and the gateway town to the canyon’s many boat tours, your best bet is to fly into Washington’s Spokane International Airport (GEG). From there it’s about a two-hour drive to Lewiston, Idaho. Alternatively, you can fly into Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport (LWS), although your flight options are limited.

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