Hells Canyon (Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing)
Oregon – US Idaho – US
- Class
- III to IV
- Length
- 31.5 Mile(s)
- Gradient
- 12 FPM
- Put-in elevation
- 1,524 Feet
- Take-out elevation
- 1,196 Feet
- Typical season
- January to December
- Author
- Tim W
Current Flow
12,700 CFS
Reading from Oct 1, 2010 6:45 AM
● 0.00/hr (12h) ● 0.00/hr (24h)
Hit some laps
- Primary gauge
- SNAKE RIVER AT HELLS CANYON DAM ID-OR STATE LINE Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗ NOAA river forecast ↗
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 6,500 |
| Average | 40,000 |
| Maximum | 82,000 |
Recommended use
- Kayaking
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- SUP
- Packrafting
- Fishing
Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.
Flow history — last 6 days
No gauge history recorded in the last 6 days.
Photos
Description
Hells Canyon is the perfect final triumphal ending to the mighty Snake river before ultimately draining into the Columbia river. The canyon is more than 8000 feet deep in places making this canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon. This is big water in this canyon with lots of class Ii to IV rapids. Combine excellent whitewater with great camping and scenery and you have a must do trip.
Rapids
| # | Rapid | Class | Recommended flow | Description | Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cliff Mountain Rapid | II | 7,500–80,000 | An easy class II just below the putin awaits boaters. Follow the main flow down just right of center. Beware of a decent size hole in the upper portion of the rapid - either pull left of it or hang on - seen quite a few unsuspecting people get tossed out right here (mostly from not paying attention). There are some big roller coaster waves at normal summer flows, make sure to get in the wave train. |
read and run |
| 2 | Brush Creek Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Rockier on the right. Follow the main waves down just left of center. |
Read and run |
| 3 | Rocky Point Rapid | II to II+ | 7,500–80,000 | Rocks and holes on the right. A few on the left. Main flow goes down just left of center. |
Read and run |
| 4 | Wild Sheep Rapid | IV | 7,500–80,000 | This is the first class IV you will encounter. There are lots of large rocks that gurad the entrance to this rapid. Definitely scout your route. Look at entering just left and center and pulling left around some rocks. Then pull right again to avoid some holes down lower. |
Scout on the left bank. There is a good trail above the rapid that starts near the Wild Sheep Camp. |
| 5 | Granite Rapid | IV | 8,000–80,000 | Granite rapid is another rapid that should be scouted and respected. At the right levels (between 20K to 40k), the ginormous glass tongue in the center of the river comes in and creates one of the biggest drops on any river in the western US. This glass tongue and wave curl is known as the green room. Many boaters choose to skirt the green room on either side. Below the main tongue, where the whitewater starts, generally contains some fierce lateral waves that have flipped many a boater. |
There is a scout trail on river right above the rapid. Definitely a recommended scout. |
| 6 | Three Creek Rapid | II+ | 7,500–80,000 | Look at running on river left. |
Read and run |
| 7 | Doughty Rapid | II | 7,500–80,000 | A few riffles and rocks on river right. |
read and run |
| 8 | Saddle Creek Rapid | II to II+ | 8,000–80,000 | Follow the flow just right of center |
Read and run |
| 9 | Upper Bernard Creek Rapid | II+ to III- | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 10 | Lower Bernard Creek Rapid | III to IV | 8,000–80,000 | This rapid gets bigger at lower flows. Possibly creating a hole. At high water this feature gets washed out. There is a good drop with a big wave that starts this rapid. |
Scout from Bernard Creek Camp |
| 11 | Waterspout Rapid | III to IV | 8,000–80,000 | At higher flows this rapid washes out. At lower flows there is an unsuspecting hole at the lower section of the rapid caused by a large rock on the left side. |
Scout on the left |
| 12 | Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 13 | Bills Creek Rapid | II+ to III- | 8,000–80,000 | A fun wave train |
Read and run |
| 14 | Upper Sluice Creek Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 15 | Sluice Creek Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 16 | Rush Creek Rapid | III to IV | 8,000–80,000 | This rapid more challenging at higher water. A large rock in the center of the river creates holes at high water or an obstacle at lower water. There is also another large rock at the end of the rapid. |
Scout from river left. |
| 17 | Pony Creek Rapid | II to II+ | 8,000–80,000 | A smaller rapid here. Run on river left with the main flow |
Read and run |
| 18 | Eagle Nest Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 19 | Willow Creek Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 20 | Alum Bed Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 21 | High Bar Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 22 | Little Bar Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | A series of swift water and waves |
Read and run |
| 23 | Hominy Creek Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Rad and run |
|
| 24 | Slaughter Gulch Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 25 | Yankee Bar Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 |
|
Read and run |
| 26 | Upper Kirby Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 27 | Middle Kirby Rapid | II to III | 8,000–80,000 | Large and run waves at most all levels. |
Read and run |
| 28 | Lower Kirby Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 29 | Unnamed Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 30 | China Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 31 | Durham Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | ||
| 32 | Upper Pittsburg Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | Read and run |
|
| 33 | Middle Pittsburg Rapid | II | 8,000–80,000 | ||
| 34 | II- to IV- | —–— | |||
| 35 | R - Rapid | I | —–— | ||
| 36 | R - Saddle Creek Rapid | I to IV+ | —–— | ||
| 37 | R - Lower Bernard Creek Rapid | I to IV+ | —–— | ||
| 38 | R - Waterspout Rapid | I to IV+ | —–— | ||
| 39 | R - Rapid | I to IV- | —–— | ||
| 40 | R - Bills Creek Rapid | I to IV- | —–— | ||
| 41 | R - Upper Sluice Creek Rapid | I to IV- | —–— | ||
| 42 | R - Sluice Creek Rapid | I to IV | —–— | ||
| 43 | R - Rush Creek Rapid | I to IV+ | —–— | ||
| 44 | R - Pony Creek Rapid | I to IV- | —–— | ||
| 45 | R - Eagle Nest Rapid | I to IV- | —–— | ||
| 46 | R - Willow Creek Rapid | I to IV- | —–— | ||
| 47 | R - Alum Bed Rapid | I to IV- | —–— | ||
| 48 | R - High Bar Rapid | I to IV+ | —–— | ||
| 49 | R - Little Bar Rapid | I to IV- | —–— | ||
| 50 | R - Hominy Creek Rapid | I to IV | —–— | ||
| 51 | R - Slaughter Gulch Rapid | I to IV- | —–— | ||
| 52 | R - Yankee Bar Rapid | I to IV | —–— | ||
| 53 | R - Upper Kirby Rapid | I to V- | —–— | ||
| 54 | R - Middle Kirby Rapid | I to V | —–— | ||
| 55 | R - Lower Kirby Rapid | I to IV+ | —–— | ||
| 56 | R - Unnamed Rapid | I to IV | —–— | ||
| 57 | R - China Rapid | I to IV | —–— | ||
| 58 | R - Durham Rapid | I to IV- | —–— | ||
| 59 | R - Upper Pittsburg Rapid | I to IV- | —–— | ||
| 60 | R - Middle Pittsburg Rapid | I to IV | —–— | ||
| 61 | C - Lower Quartz Creek Rapid | I to IV | —–— | ||
| 62 | Historical Place - Temperance Creek Ranch | I to V- | —–— | ||
| 63 | Historical Place - Kirkwood Ranch | I to IV- | —–— | There is a museum here - worth the visit. There is camping on the bar downriver from the creek - three trails lead up the bank. There are picnic tables and the only flush toilet on the Dam to Pittsburg landing stretch is just north of the ranch. There is a hike up the creek to an old cabin if you want a hike. This is also a good place to fish for sturgeon - easiest from the Oregon side of the river. |
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Hells Canyon Boat Ramp | 1,524 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | The putin for this stretch is located just below the Hells Canyon Dam near the Hells Canyon Visitor Center. To get to the ramp travel east from Halfway, OR to Oxbow, OR on Highway 86. Once in Oxbow, cross the river onto the Idaho side and follow the river/road for 22 miles to the dam and then another mile or so to the visitor center below the dam to the visitor center and boat ramp. |
| Take-Out | Kirkwood Ranch Boat Ramp | 1,196 Feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | All Vehicles | |
| Take-Out | Pittsburg Landing | 1,137 Feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | All Vehicles | Road access, boat launch and float apron, visitor information and toilets. Communications available here; report fires and emergencies here or at Pittsburg Administrative Site. |
| Put-In | R - Cliff Mountain Rapid | — | No | No | No | All Vehicles | |
| Put-In | R - Brush Creek Rapid | — | No | No | No | All Vehicles | |
| Put-In | R - Rocky Point Rapid | — | No | No | No | All Vehicles | |
| Put-In | R - Wild Sheep Rapid | — | No | No | No | All Vehicles | |
| Put-In | R - Granite Rapid | — | No | No | No | All Vehicles | |
| Put-In | A - Put-In - Hells Canyon Boat Ramp | — | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | |
| Put-In | A - Take-Out - Kirkwood Ranch Boat Ramp | — | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | |
| Take-Out | A - Take-Out - Pittsburg Landing | — | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | |
| Put-In | Historical Place - Sheep Creek Cabin | — | No | No | No | All Vehicles | |
| Put-In | Photo Op. - Suicide Point | — | No | No | No | All Vehicles |
Camps
| Camp | Fee | Beach | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stud Creek Camp | No | Yes | A medium sized beach camp on river left. |
| Lamont Springs Camp | No | No | First camp on river right. |
| Square Beach Camp | No | Yes | A nice sized beach a short ways up off the river on river right |
| Brush Creek Camp | No | Yes | An excellent beach on river right just below brush creek rapids. |
| Rocky Point Camp | No | No | A nice camp on river right that has trees and shade. |
| Warm Springs Camp | No | No | On river right. This camp is near a warm springs but it's not that hot. |
| Battle Creek Camp | No | No | on river left |
| Sand Dunes Camp | No | No | A nice sandy camp on river left |
| Wild Sheep Camp | No | No | On river left where the Wild Sheep Canyon drains into Hells |
| Birch Springs Camp | No | No | On river right |
| Rocky Bar Camp | No | Yes | On river right. A mid sized beach surrounded by lots of rocks. |
| Upper and Lower Granite Creek Camps | No | No | Just past the Granit Creek drainage are a couple of camps with some vegetation and shade. River right. |
| Cache Creek Camp | No | No | On river left. |
| Three Creek Camp | No | No | On river right |
| Oregon Hole Camp | No | Yes | A very nice camp with shade and a beach on river left |
| Upper Dry Gulch Camp | No | No | On river right |
| Lower Dry Gulch Camp | No | No | A small camp on river right |
| Hastings Camp | No | No | on river right |
| Saddle Creek Camp | No | No | On river left at the mouth of Saddle Creek Canyon |
| Bernard Creek Camp | No | Yes | A nice beach camp on river right |
| Rush Creek Camp | No | No | Rocky beach and landing but room for a mid sized to large group |
| Johnson Bar Landing Camp | No | Yes | An excellent beach on river right. |
| Sheep Creek Camp | No | Yes | Another nice camp on river right accommodating up to large parties |
| Steep Creek Camp | No | Yes | A smaller camp beach. Better access at low water. |
| Yreka Bar Camp | No | Yes | A large beach on river left. |
| Upper Sand Creek Camp | No | Yes | Large group sites on river left |
| Willow Creek Camp | No | Yes | A low water camp that is smaller in size |
| Pine Bar Camp | No | Yes | An excellent camp on river right |
| Upper Quartz Creek Camp | No | Yes | A large camp on river left |
| Lower Quartz Creek Rapid | No | Yes | Larger camp on river left. Not a lot of shade |
| Caribou Creek Camp | No | Yes | On river right |
| Dry Gulch Camp | No | Yes | Large beach on river left |
| Big Bar Camp | No | No | On river right. A rocky and large camp |
| Big Bar Airstrip Camp | No | No | This camp on river right lies just south of a public airstrip |
| Upper and Lower Hominy Bar Camps | No | No | A couple of good large camps on river left. |
| Salt Creek Camp | No | No | On river left |
| Two Corral Creek Camp | No | Yes | A large camp on river left. |
| Cracie Bar Camp | No | Yes | A nice large camp on river right |
| Half Moon Bar Camp | No | Yes | A nice camp on river right |
| Slaughter Gulch Camp | No | Yes | A large camp on river left |
| Kirkwood Bar Camps | No | No | 4 sites. Access to the kirkwood ranch facilities. |
| Yankee Bar Camp | No | No | Smaller camp on river left |
| Russell Bar Camp | No | No | A large camp on river right. |
| Cat Gulch Camp | No | Yes | Smaller camp on river right |
| Corral Creek Camp | No | No | Larger camp. Decent shade. Some water up the creek about 200 yards |
| Fish Trap Bar Camp | No | Yes | A large sandy beach on river left. |
| Upper Pittsburg Camp Sites | No | No | These can be accessed from the river but they aren't the friendliest of camp accessible river camps. These camps can also be accessed via vehicles. |
| Wilson Eddy Camp | No | No | Large camp on river left |
| R - Upper Bernard Creek Rapid | No | No | |
| C - Stud Creek Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Lamont Springs Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Square Beach Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Brush Creek Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Rocky Point Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Warm Springs Camp | No | No | |
| C - Battle Creek Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Sand Dunes Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Birch Springs Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Wild Sheep Camp | No | No | |
| C - Rocky Bar Camp | No | No | |
| C - Upper and Lower Granite Creek Camps | No | No | |
| C - Cache Creek Camp | Yes | No | |
| C - Three Creek Camp | Yes | No | |
| C - Oregon Hole Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Upper Dry Gulch Camp | Yes | No | |
| C - Lower Dry Gulch Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Hastings Camp | No | No | |
| C - Saddle Creek Camp | No | No | |
| C - Bernard Creek Camp | Yes | No | |
| C - Rush Creek Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Johnson Bar Landing Camp | No | No | |
| C - Sheep Creek Camp | No | No | |
| C - Steep Creek Camp | No | No | |
| C - Yreka Bar Camp | No | No | |
| C - Upper Sand Creek Camp | Yes | No | |
| C - Willow Creek Camp | Yes | No | |
| C - Pine Bar Camp | Yes | No | |
| C - Upper Quartz Creek Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Caribou Creek Camp | No | No | |
| C - Dry Gulch Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Big Bar Camp | No | No | |
| C - Big Bar Airstrip Camp | Yes | No | |
| C - Upper and Lower Hominy Bar Camps | No | No | |
| C - Salt Creek Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Two Corral Creek Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Cracie Bar Camp | No | No | |
| C - Half Moon Bar Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Slaughter Gulch Camp | No | No | |
| C - Kirkwood Bar Camps | No | Yes | |
| C - Yankee Bar Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Russell Bar Camp | No | No | |
| C - Cat Gulch Camp | No | No | |
| C - Corral Creek Camp | No | No | |
| C - Fish Trap Bar Camp | No | Yes | |
| C - Upper Pittsburg Camp Sites | No | No | |
| C - Wilson Eddy Camp | No | No | |
| Historical Place - McGaffee Cabin | No | No | |
| Historical Place - McGrady's Lodge | Yes | No | |
| Landmark - Airstrip | No | No |
Permit
No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.
Fishing
The following fish species are often found on this run.
This fish is North America's most numerous catfish species. It is the official fish of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Tennessee, and is informally referred to as a "channel cat". In the United States, they are the most fished catfish species with approximately 8 million anglers targeting them per year.
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America.
Points of Interest
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