Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is protected as a Designated Wild and Scenic river section. With a restriction on the number of launches and regulation by the United States Forest Service, a permitted trip in Hells Canyon means prime campsite selection and limited river users.
We offer the Hells Canyon experience in three, four, or five-day trip options. Most of the big whitewater is found on the three and four-day trips, while the five-day trip option features the opportunity for one more hike, more fishing, and a longer time to fully unplug. The most popular way to experience Hells Canyon is in four days – you hit all the major whitewater, historic sites, most of the hikes, pictographs, and great sturgeon holes. Plus the pacing is ideal for mellow days with plenty of time to do all of the extra exploring that the canyon offers.
Three Days
Our three-day trip duration is great for those looking for a shorter getaway. Cover 34 miles of river, from Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing with enough time to fish, hike, and stop at some of the historic sites and Native American pictographs.
Four Days
Four days is the most popular way to experience all that Hells Canyon has to offer. You’ll cover the same 34 miles from Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing, but with an extra day, the pacing is ideal to explore every hike and fishing hole, and you can dive deeper into the canyon’s rich history.
The four-day experience also features a stay at historic Sheep Creek Ranch, where you can enjoy green grass and plenty of shade in the orchard.
Five Days
For the guest looking to see it all, the five-day trip is for you! We typically run the five-day trip in conjunction with the three-day option. You’ll float with the three-day guests until Pittsburg Landing, drop them off at their take-out, and then continue on for the remainder of the trip to Heller Bar (near Lewiston, ID), which rounds out an 82-mile journey. Lower Hells Canyon (below Pittsburg Landing) has fewer rapids, but a ton of scenery, excellent hikes, and more stops at historic sites. You’ll also see the confluence of the Imnaha River, which is a popular spot to enjoy a break, and the mighty confluence of the Salmon River – the meeting of North America’s two deepest river gorges is an impressive sight!
World-Class Fishing
And with any trip duration in Hells Canyon…
The fishing is unbeatable, with guests commonly catching a dozen or more smallmouth bass per day. Bass fishing is relatively straightforward and all of your gear is provided and included (you’ll just need a fishing license). Other species often caught in Hells Canyon include trout and catfish. The canyon is also famous for its world class sturgeon fishing! These prehistoric fish range in size from about three to over ten feet long. Reeling in one of these beasts is often a group effort, and certainly a trip highlight.
Rich History
One of the most special parts of Hells Canyon, aside from the powerful whitewater and awe-inspiring scenery, is the rich and unique history. Indigenous peoples have inhabited the canyon for over 10,000 years and we love to stop at all the historic sites to see homesteads turned into mini-museums and relax in old orchards to get a little shade break. There are several opportunities to see Native American pictograph sites for a glimpse into the past.
We operate on the land of the Niimíipuu (Nez Perce). We acknowledge and respect the rich history and people that were here long before us.
We invite you to check out our recommended reading list, which can be found on our Sustainability & History page.
Camping in Comfort
The camping in Hells Canyon is different than what you’ll find on the Lower Salmon River. Instead of big, sandy beaches, we typically camp up on bluffs above the river. This offers a unique perspective as well as ample opportunities for some exploring right from camp. Camp sites are usually accessed by a short hike through some rocks and dirt, but usually no more than a handful of steps from where we tie our boats off on shore. Tents are spaced out along dirt trails, with plenty of privacy from other group members.
Salmon Raft provides all camping gear, including spacious four-person tents for every one or two guests, freshly washed sleeping bags, and thick sleeping cushions. Our guides set everything up and take it down, so you don’t have to lift a finger.
Logistics
Like all of Salmon Raft’s river trips, your experience will begin at our Boathouse in McCall with a pre-trip orientation the night before your trip begins. Round-trip transportation from McCall to the river and back is always provided and included. Your trip includes top-notch rafting gear, plush camping equipment, and a well-rounded menu prepared riverside by our guide staff. Multi-day experiences also include beer and wine, endless fresh drinking water, and a selection of non-alcoholic beverages, as well as daytime snacks.
Salmon Raft guides truly set us apart and are our guests’ most frequently mentioned highlight about their river experience. Aside from what we consider to be basic duties – like setting up and taking down tents, doing all the cooking and cleaning, and safely navigating the challenging whitewater – our guides are incredible men and women who are a pleasure to spend several days on the river with. They are professional and personable, kind and funny, knowledgeable and hard-working. We are also proud to staff a balanced crew of roughly 50% women, and some years we even tip the scales above that! Constellation spotters, chefs, role models, beach game experts, and back-flippers off the raft – we truly couldn’t ask for a better crew. We are positive that you’ll enjoy their company as well.
To see available launch dates, please click the big, gold “book online” button. All of our multi-day trips can be booked through this platform. Or if you prefer to book the old-fashioned way, we are always eager to take your phone calls or answer your email messages: 800-350-6654 | info@salmonraft.com