Hells Canyon National Recreation Area - Idaho
The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) straddles both sides of the Snake River in Oregon and Idaho. This Hells Canyon National Recreation Area - Idaho section includes all developed recreation sites and trails that are all located away from the Wild and Scenic Snake River in the Idaho uplands. All other upland sites and all trails in the Hells Canyon NRA - Snake River, or Hells Canyon NRA - Oregon are found in those recreation area sections.
Popular recreation areas include the Hells Canyon Wilderness (Seven Devil mountain range), Black Lake, Heavens Gate Lookout, Windy Saddle, and Seven Devils recreation area.
Local Idaho communities that have a variety of services (i.e. fuel, lodging, stores and/or restaurants) are Riggins, Grangeville, Whitebird, Council, and Cambridge. These communities are within one hour of this area.
Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) for the Hells Canyon NRA available here!
Boater's Guide for the Wild and Scenic Snake River: This guide includes map segment and river mile feature descriptions.
General Information
For Information about the current river levels and flows on the Snake River, please try one of these links:
The information at this website is provided by Idaho Power. It displays the 4 day river flow in cubic feet per second (CFS) for the Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam.
Passes & Permits
Wild & Scenic Snake River - Private Floatboat Reservations
A permit is required to float the Wild and Scenic Snake River at any time of the year. In the primary season (Friday before Memorial Day through September 10*), you can apply for a permit through the "Four Rivers Lottery" permit process summarized below. During the secondary season (September 11 through the Thursday before Memorial Day), a self-issue permit is available at major launch sites on the river.
Applying for a Floatboat Reservation
The Snake River is part of the Four Rivers Lottery permit application process. The other three rivers in the lottery system are the Main Salmon, Middle Fork of the Salmon, and the Selway Rivers. Reservations for the primary season are offered through the National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS) located on the Recreation.gov website. (The first day available to make a reservation is March 1st at 7am Pacific Time.)
To make a float reservation:
Go directly to the Recreation.gov site here: Hells Canyon - Snake River (4 Rivers)
Or
- Visit www.recreation.gov.
- In the search window, type in "Hells Canyon - Snake River (4 Rivers)"
- From there, you can check dates that are available and read a description of the river, restrictions, required and allowable uses, and information about the lottery system.
Wild & Scenic Snake River - Private Powerboat Reservations
A permit is required to powerboat in the Wild and Scenic Snake River at any time of the year. In the primary season (Friday before Memorial Day through September 10th), you can apply for a permit using the powerboat reservation process summarized below. During the secondary season (September 11th through the Thursday before Memorial Day), a self-issue permit is available at major boat launches on the river.
Applying for a Powerboat Reservation
Private powerboat reservations for use during the primary season are offered through the National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS) at Recreation.gov. NRRS is the same provider of the Wild and Scenic Snake River floatboat reservations.
Reservations can be made on Recreation.gov starting March 1st at 7am Pacific Time.
To make a reservation:
- Go to www.recreation.gov.
- In the search window, type in "HELLS CANYON - SNAKE RIVER (POWERBOAT)"
- Select the type of river permit you want.
- From there you can check available dates and read a description of the river, restrictions, required and allowable uses, and more information about the reservation system.
- You will need a credit card to complete the reservation.
- Your permit will be available to print two weeks prior to your reservation. Print 2 copies (Google Chrome browser works best) - one copy will go in the permit box on site and one you'll keep on your boat.
Reservations can also be made over the phone during the following hours:
TOLL FREE (1-877-444-6777) or TDD (1-877-TDD-6777).
- 10:00 am (EST) to Midnight (EST) - March 1st through October 31st
- 10:00 am (EST) to 10:00 pm (EST) - November 1st through February
- Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
Recreation Sites
Black Lake Campground
Cold Springs Trailhead
Heaven's Gate Trailhead
Low Saddle Trailhead
Pittsburg Saddle Viewpoint
Sawpit Saddle Viewpoint
Seven Devils Campground
Windy Saddle Horse Camp
Windy Saddle Trailhead