Walowa-Whitman national forest--Hell's Canyon

We stopped at Hell's Canyon and we really couldn't see anything from the overlook down a long 2 lane windy road. Best way is by boat. I wouldn't go out of my way to see it from the road.

If you are looking for a place to stay coming up out of the Gorge, Boardman Marina County Park is a nice place to stop. From the freeway, it doesn't look like there is anything at Boardman but a gas station, but the park right on the river is a pleasant surprise. They do take reservations.

Thanks for the info. Am going from Columbia River gorge area to Glacier. Will probably not go there.

We lived close to Hell's Canyon in the Wallow Mountains. I'd say, no it's really not a destination place. It's dry, desolate and not really all that pretty. I've done the boat trips from Lewiston and while it's interesting I've been on a lot more fun and scenic jet boat rides. The Wallowa's are another story. They are beautiful, Wallowa Lake is gorgeous and Wallow State Park is a gem.

Hells Canyon of the Snake River is the deepest gorge in the USA, you can take boat tours headquartered out of Lewiston ID, Hells Gate SP is a fine place to spend some time. South and west of Lewiston are Enterprise and Joseph OR, a nice SP is located just a few miles from Joseph; quite scenic around there.

I saw some pictures of Wallowa a couple years ago in a magazine, and it made me want to go there. Looks really inviting. If you're going in that direction, I'd say stop in there and see the sights.

Hell's Canyon... meh. Doesn't look exceptional to me from the photos.

Depends. Is this a destination trip? If so, I'd say skip it. If you're going to other areas around Hell's Canyon then yes, take the boat ride up the river to say you've been there. Hell's Canyon is very desolate, dry and HOT in the summer if you were planning to do any hiking. The national forest areas of Wallowa are much cooler.

Wallowa-Whitman is adjacent to Hells Canyon on the Oregon Side.

MAP

Hells Canyon

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