Hells Canyon (Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing)
Snake River • WY, ID, OR, WA
Length
32.0 mi
Difficulty
Class III-IV
Shuttle
220 mi / 360 min
🪪 Permit required
— Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
— Apply ↗
Wild River Reservations (Hells Canyon Dam to Upper Pittsburg Landing) are required seven days a week during the primary season (Friday before Memorial Day through Sep 30) — three private launches/day via the 4 Rivers Lottery (apply by Jan 31) or cancellations on recreation.gov. Secondary season needs a self-issue permit (no advance reservation) at any river portal.
Upper Hells Canyon — the signature whitewater reach. Big-volume Class III-IV
with Wild Sheep and Granite as the marquee rapids. Permit required (USFS
lottery, May 26–Sep 10). Often run as a 3-day trip ending at Pittsburg.
✓ Real river route loaded
🏕 Campsites (7)
🌊 Rapids (21)
Wild Sheep
Class IV
• Mile 5.2
Granite
Class IV
• Mile 8.5
Waterspout
Class III+
• Mile 14.0
Rush Creek
Class III
• Mile 18.0
Bernard Creek
Class III
• Mile 23.0
Three Creek Rapids
Class II
Granite Rapids
Class IV
Wild Sheep Rapids
Class IV
Rocky Point Rapids
Class II
Brush Creek Rapids
Class II
Cliff Mountain Rapids
Class II
Bills Creek Rapids
Class 11
Waterspout Rapids
Class III-IV
Lower Bernard Creek Rapids
Class III-IV
Upper Bernard Creek Rapids
Class II-III
Sheep Creek Rapids
Class II-III
Rush Creek Rapids
Class III
Middle Kirby Rapids
Class II
Pleasant Valley Rapids
Class II
Warm Springs Rapids
Class II
Wild Goose Rapids
Class II
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