Hells Canyon
North America's deepest river gorge — the Snake River cuts 7,900 ft below Idaho's He Devil Peak.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Hells Canyon, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Oregon / Idaho, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Basalt canyon (300–3,000 m)
- Best season
- April – October
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Rafting
- Mountaineering
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Canoeing
- Fishing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Basalt canyon (300–3,000 m)
- Best season: April – October
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Topic summary
North America's deepest river gorge — the Snake River cuts 7,900 ft below Idaho's He Devil Peak.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: April – October
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Basalt canyon (300–3,000 m)
Verification notes
Last verified January 1, 1970.
Plan with verified data
Hells Canyon trip tools
Popular pursuits at Hells Canyon
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Rafting
Whitewater sections and the flows that make them run.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
