Hell's Canyon and region

[rvshrinker]

Have decided to head here in mid October for a week. Want to hike, check out some small towns, and if the weather and water levels are suitable, maybe a boat ride on the Snake River. Also wouldn't mind seeing the Blue mountains on the OR/WA border.

It's a huge area, hard to know where to start or a couple of places to base camp out of. Anyone know the area that can make any suggestions? Thought about wallowa lake for a few days but it doesn't seem that close to the canyon itself.

[JHinman]

Woodhead Park is a good campground, and should be mostly empty this time of year. Sites have water and electricity.

The facility is owned and operated by Idaho Power, so you can look for info through their web site.

[travisc]

Check the weather temp will go into freezing this time of year

[RickLight]

One of the YouTube crowd just released a video on that. They did several other eastern OR vids as well.

https://youtu.be/8TE4GQjGUAw

[kknowlton]

Hells Gate SP is great - but be aware, many Idaho state parks stop taking reservations after Labor Day & sites become first-come first-served only. If you get there between 11 AM-1 PM you may have the best chance of getting a site. Good luck!

[TUCQUALA]

Yes, it is a good 2 lane paved road mostly, last time down(2 yrs ago), there was a bit of construction in the first few miles. There are twists and turns, not too bad, no terrible climbs or descents. Only thing to be watched is that the road is popular with motorcyclists and some spandex mafia (bikers!!) so you need to be aware esp on curves. Had no problems with a 34' trailer.

[rvshrinker]

TUCQUALA wrote:
Wallowa is a good spot for a base camp. You can head to Hells Canyon via Imnaha, great views, and lookout tower (open??). Also head into Nat Forest from Joseph on the Hells Canyon Scenic Loop down to the Snake at Copperfield. Nice drive, NF campgrounds along the way if you want to move around.

Is that drive down to the river doable with a 27' trailer?

[TUCQUALA]

Wallowa is a good spot for a base camp. You can head to Hells Canyon via Imnaha, great views, and lookout tower (open??). Also head into Nat Forest from Joseph on the Hells Canyon Scenic Loop down to the Snake at Copperfield. Nice drive, NF campgrounds along the way if you want to move around.

[rvshrinker]

Thinking of spending 3-4 nights at Lake Wallowa State Park, Is that a decent spot to see some things? I realize there is hiking around the lake and in the mountains if the weather cooperates, and that will be fine for us. Is the canyon at all accessible or is it too far?

From there where might be a decent place to spend 2-3 more nights, seeing the canyon, possibly getting down to river level and getting on a boat of some kind?

[TUCQUALA]

Yep, that's quite a feet!!!

[TenOC]

A road trip to Pittsburgh landing is a trip you will remember. Nice camping at The Pink House Campground on the Clear Water River (?) BLM Camping. Two other campground close by.



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[rexlion]

No boat tours, eh? Seems like the whole country is in hell's canyon this year.

[enblethen]

Hell's gate state park is at Lewiston. ID. Yes it is open and some boats maybe running but call to get reservations. We used Snake Dancer boats last trip up.
Hell's Gate
Could be getting cool in canyon.
Right now Covid is hitting some areas including ID. Follow the rules!

[ppine]

"Three days in Hell's Canyon is like a week anywhere else."

[happynow]

We stayed at Woodhead CG & Hell's Canyon in July. Recommend both, we found shade sites when we booked online. We drove the scenic route. Hell's Canyon was a bit remote.
No boat tours this year, bathhouses were closed,if that matters.