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5 or 6 Day Hells Canyon Whitewater Snake River Rafting Trips

These Snake River rafting trips are fun for kids, adults and families alike.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

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Class II, III, and IV whitewater rafting for 5 to 6 days
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Meals prepared on the river by our chef as well as luxurious beach camping
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Breathtaking scenery and wildlife
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Optional hiking and kayaking
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Exceptional smallmouth bass, trout and sturgeon fishing
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Appropriate for ages 7 and up
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Trips start in Cambridge, ID and end in Lewiston, ID
Located on the state line between Idaho and Oregon

Overview

Itinerary

Trip Prices

What to Pack

Food Menu

Calendar

HELLS CANYON TRIP OVERVIEW

Everything is BIG in Hells Canyon.

Big whitewater, big mountains and big adventure! Hells Canyon is the deepest canyon in North America spanning nearly 8,000 feet from the Snake River to the peak of the Seven Devils Mountains.

A 5 or 6 Day Hells Canyon Trip is an all-inclusive vacation into the wilderness of the Northwest with some of the best white water and scenery like no other. Between the deep canyon walls lie Class II-IV rapids and 81 miles of rafting adventure

This is the best vacation for families looking to reconnect while disconnecting from their phones, businesses looking for a unique team building platform, or anyone ages 7-70 looking to get away from it all and be fully taken care of in the beautiful rugged wilderness.

Delicious restaurant quality food made from scratch in our full river kitchen (breakfast, lunch, appetizers, happy hour, dinner, and dessert!)

In the afternoons, play beach games, swim, fish, read, enjoy appetizers or take in the beautiful scenery and slower pace of life

Sleep on cushy sleeping pads under the crystal-clear, star-studded night sky

Learn about the previous inhabitants of Hells Canyon from the homesteads of 19th century pioneers and miners looking for riches to the petroglyphs, pictographs, and rock shelters of indigenous people from 10,000 years ago

81 miles of splashy whitewater and big rapids in oar boats, paddle boats or inflatable kayaks

Search for wildlife like bighorn sheep, mountain goats, brown and cinnamon bears, elk, deer, bald eagles, otters, and many more

Hike to fantastic view points and historic landmarks

Fish sturgeon, trout, small-mouth bass and catfish

Relax and enjoy yourself while we take care of the planning, packing, cooking and cleaning

  • Splashy whitewater and big rapids in oar boats, paddle boats or inflatable kayaks
  • Delicious restaurant quality food made from scratch in our full river kitchen (breakfast, lunch, appetizers, happy hour, dinner, and dessert!)
  • Hike to fantastic view points and historic landmarks
  • Search for wildlife like bighorn sheep, mountain goats, brown and cinnamon bears, elk, deer, bald eagles, otters, and many more
  • Fish sturgeon, trout, small-mouth bass and catfish
  • Learn about the previous inhabitants of Hells Canyon from the homesteads of 19th century pioneers and miners looking for riches to the petroglyphs, pictographs, and rock shelters of indigenous people from 10,000 years ago
  • In the afternoons, play beach games, swim, fish, read or take in the beautiful scenery and slower pace of life
  • Relax and enjoy yourself while we take care of the planning, packing, cooking and cleaning
  • Sleep on cushy sleeping pads under the crystal-clear, star-studded night sky
snake river rafting trips

Difficulty Rating:

The Snake River through Hells Canyon is rated Class III-IV whitewater. It is a large volume river with drop-pool style rapids, meaning a rapid is followed by a large pool of calm water. This section consists of mostly Class III rapids with a few Class IV’s. Many of these rapids are described as roller-coaster waves creating a fun and enjoyable ride appropriate for most physical abilities, including children ages 7 and up. Many boat landings are rocky and require walking varied distances on uneven terrain. Once at camp, the terrain is usually open and forgiving. All hiking during our Snake River rafting trips is optional and easy to moderate difficulty.

Want to choose your boat ahead of time? Take a look at what we offer.

Itinerary

Trips start and end in Cambridge, ID.

Evening before Departure: Enjoy a stay in the Cambridge, ID area and we will meet for a pre-trip meeting, provide dry bags for packing and answer any questions.

Day 1: After an early morning departure and a scenic drive along several reservoirs, we arrive at Hells Canyon Dam and prepare to begin our river adventure. Our first day starts off with a bang with several Class II-III rapids. The trout fishing is exceptional during the first day in the swift moving water. Lunch is served riverside usually with an option for a short hike or time to relax, swim or fish. After lunch, the Class IV whitewater rapids are fun, big and splashy.  In the afternoon, boats pull into camp where tents will be ready and waiting. Relaxing in camp, fishing, swimming, hiking and playing beach games is encouraged at camp. Each night a delicious gourmet meal is prepared from our river kitchen: appetizers, delicious entrées, fresh baked Dutch Oven breads and decadent desserts.

Days 2-5: After sleeping under the stars, coffee will be brewing and breakfast will soon follow. Bags will be packed and boats will be boarded. Phenomenal whitewater follows with calm swimming pools, great fishing holes, rich history, tasty food, and fun. This is when the magic of a river trip happens: no clocks, no cell phones, no computers; just you, the group and your beautiful surroundings. The evening will be similar to the previous night at a camp further down river.

Last Day: After another delicious breakfast, a float with the final riverside lunch ends the day. 

5 and 6 day Hells Canyon Trips end in Lewsiton, ID. If flying, it is easiest to fly out of the Lewiston Airport. If driving, having your vehcile shuttled to Lewiston or the boat ramp is the best. Please call or email us with trip or logistic questions: 208-347-3862.

Sample Food Menu

Vegetarian, gluten-free, or have other food needs? Let us know when you book and we’ll be sure to pack delicious food that’s right for you!

Day 1

Breakfast

  • Freshly baked scones and muffins
  • Local fruit
  • Yogurt and homemade granola
  • Coffee, tea, and hot cocoa

Lunch

  • Chicken Salad Sandwiches on croissants
  • Mediterranean Orzo Salad with feta, black olives and lemon vinaigrette
  • Chips
  • Homemade cookies
  • Idaho Peaches

Dinner

  • Appetizer: brushetta on a toasted baguette
  • Main: Grilled teriyaki chicken, coconut rice, stir fried green beans,  sesame slaw, cornbread
  • Dessert: peach and starwberry shortcake with whipped cream
Day 2

Breakfast

  • Hot Biscuits and Sausage or Mushroom Gravy
  • Eggs made to order
  • Idaho melon
  • Yogurt and housemade granola
  • Coffee, tea, and hot cocoa

Lunch

  • Chicken bacon honey mustard sandwiches 
  • Sweet pickled jalapenos
  • Sweet Potato Lentil Salad
  • Local Peaches
  • Peanut Butter Cookies

Dinner

  • Appetizer: baked brie with crackers and grapes
  • Main: Grilled tri-tip steak, asparagus, couscous, candied walnut, apple and gorgonzola salad, soda bread
  • Dessert: dutch oven s’mores bars
Day 3

Breakfast

  • Banana bread french toast
  • Eggs to order
  • Bacon
  • Fresh Melon
  • Yogurt and Granola
  • Coffee, tea, and hot cocoa

Lunch

  • Chicken caesar salad wraps
  • Herbed potato salad
  • Chips
  • Lemon crinkle cookies
  • Idaho Watermelon

Dinner

  • Appetizer: spinach artichoke dip with toasted baguettes
  • Main: Grilled balsamic pork tenderloin, housemade apple sauce, baked potato casserole, honey glazed carrots, watermelon salad with arugula and feta, dutch oven beer bread
  • Dessert: chocolate cake with whipped cream
Day 4

Breakfast

  • Eggs benedict with thick ham, tomatos, and housemade hollandaise
  • Fruit Salad
  • Yogurt and Granola
  • Coffee, tea, and hot cocoa

Lunch

  • Greek wraps with feta, cucumber, tomatos and tzatiki
  • From scratch hummus with pita
  • Chips
  • Housemade Cookies
  • Idaho plums

Dinner

  • Appetizer: Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese with crackers, Pimento Cheese & Pretzel Rods
  • Main: grilled local salmonand zucchini, creamy pesto noodles, kale and parmesan salad, dutch oven oat stout bread
  • Dessert: apricot and plum cobbler
Day 5

Breakfast

  • Huevos Rancheros with homemade salsa verde
  • Eggs to order
  • Potato Hash
  • Man Bacon
  • Fruit Salad
  • Yogurt and Granola
  • Coffee, tea, and hot cocoa

Lunch

  • Deli Sandwiches
  • Southwest Quinoa Salad with grilled corn, black beans and sweet pickled jalapenos
  • Chips
  • White Chocolate Chip and Hazelnut Cookies
  • Oranges

WHAT TO PACK

For Summer Rafting (July-August)

Hells Canyon is usually hot and dry in the summer. Average highs are in the 90’s with some weeks exceeding 100F. The nights usually cool off with average lows in 60’s to 70’s. Bathing suits, quick dry shorts/pants, and long/short sleeve shirts are recommended for the day. Although cotton is not usually recommended on most river trips, it is appropriate and cooling during the hot days. A light rain jacket is useful for the off chance of rain or splashy rapids, especially in the early mornings or late afternoons.

Protection from the sun is highly recommended. Sun hats, sun glasses, sunscreen, and long and light layers are excellent. While in the raft or kayak you should wear sturdy shoes that will stay on your feet and should be comfortable when wet. There are many appropriate varieties of boat shoes: Teva’s, Chaco’s, Keen’s, Aqua Socks, or even old tennis shoes (although they will get wet and stay wet for the whole trip). Flip flops are not appropriate in the boats. Packing another pair of shoes specifically for camp is highly recommended. These could be flip flops, sneakers, hiking shoes/boots or galoshes. Pick shoes that will be comfortable and match your level of activity. A separate set of clothes for camp is also advisable solely for comfort.

Check out our packing list for more details!

 

Spring and Fall Rafting (April-June, September-October)

Water and air tempatures can be slightly cooler and the weather can be a little less reliable in the fall and spring. The trade offs are green canyon and great fishing.

It’s reccomended to bring everything on our packing list. It may seem like overkill but it’s always better to have more clothes than less. Every year is a little different especially in the shoulder seasons, so feel free to contact us with weather questions!

If the spring and fall temperatures call for extra gear, splash gear and/or wetsuits can be provided.

How to Pack

The trip includes 1 large overnight dry-bag and a smaller day dry-bag per person given out during the pretrip meeting the night before the trip.

The large dry-bag comes packed with your sleeping bag, pillow, and fitted sheet. It will be able to fit the contents of a good-sized duffle bag. Small duffle bags or backpacks can fit right into the dry-bag and large sized bags may need to be repacked directly into the dry-bag. This large dry-bag will be packed away during the day and should contain only items that you will need at camp.

The smaller drybag is used to hold everything you’ll want during the day: extra clothes, sunscreen, chapstick, etc. This bag will stay you all day.

If the dry-bags are packed and sealed correctly they will stay dry under most conditions, but they are not guaranteed to be completely waterproof.  In order to protect important items such as cameras, medications, etc., they should be packed in dry-bags or boxes inside of the dry-bags. Less valuable items like books, playing cards, etc. can be placed in zip-lock bags inside your dry-bag to keep excess moisture out.

If planning on bringing a nice camera, there are dry boxes availble to borrow for the trip.

Hells Canyon Fishing

The Snake River offers excellent fishing opportunities.  You’ll be able to fish from the boats throughout the day, from the bank during lunch, and in the evenings at camp. Hells Canyon runs on the border between Idaho and Oregon. You will need to obtain either a valid Idaho fishing license and/or Oregon fishing license. Either license will allow you to fish from the boat. If you would like to fish from the shore at camp, we usually camp on the Oregon side and would recommend an Oregon license.

Fly fishing recommended gear: 

  • 5-6 weight fly rod
  • 5-6 weight floating line with medium to fast sinking tip. Bass flies: varies
  • Try purple, green and white poppers. Streamer patterns
  • Trout flies: Caddis patterns, midges

Spinning Gear recommended:

  • Average sized trout rod with light tackle, or ultralight rod
  • 2-4 pound test line
  • Lures: Spinners, meps, spoons, jigs

Fishing gear can be provided for you! Let us know you have an interest and a license, and we’ll pack the right gear.

Books about Hells Canyon
  • Recommended Reading List:

    • Indian Creek Chronicles Pete Fromm
    • River Tales of Idaho Darcy Williams
    • Water-The Fate of Our Most Precious Resource Marq De Villiers
    • Roadside Geology of Idaho David Alt
    • Myths of Idaho Indians Deward Walker Jr.

    Snake River:

    • Standing Up To The Rock T. Louise Freeman-Toole
    • Home Below Hells Canyon Grace Jordan
    • The Sterling Years Bonnie Sterling
    • Snake River of Hells Canyon Johnny Carrey, Cort Conley, Ace Barton
    • Island and Rapids: The Geologic Story of Hells Canyon Trace Vallier

    Fishing:

    • Steelhead Water Bob Arnold
    • Mist on the River: An Angler’s Quest for Steelhead Michael Checcio

TRIP PRICES

 

5 Day Hells Canyon Rafting Trip

  • $1825 per person

OR

  • Private Raft: $7300 for up to 4 people (Guaranteed private raft for just your group. Additional 5th and 6th person available at a per person rate)

6 Day Hells Canyon Rafting Trip

  • $2075 per person

OR

  • Private Raft: $8300 for up to 4 people (Guaranteed private raft for just your group. Additional 5th and 6th person can be added at per person rate)

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

  • All whitewater rafting gear: PFD’s (life jackets), dry bags to pack in, rafts, etc.
  • Camping gear: spacious tents, thick comfortable sleeping pads, freshly laundered sleeping bags, pillows, and fitted sheets
  • Shuttle to the river to and from Cambridge, ID 
  • Professional, knowledgeable, and charismatic guides
  • Delicious from scratch and hot meals from breakfast on the first morning to lunch on the last day. We take care or everything: all cooking, cleaning & dishes!
  • Beverages: water, coffee, sodas, sparkling water, teas, juices, and selection of local craft beers.
  • Fishing gear: Hells Canyon has especially good fishing that both kids and adults enjoy. Bring your own fishing gear if you’d like or use ours!

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

  • Transportation to and from Cambridge, ID from the airport, Boise, etc.
  • Hotels the night before and after the trip
  • Dinner on the last night
  • Gratuity for guides
  • Shuttling of personal vehicles
  • Alcohol: bring your own and it’ll be packed and chilled for you

BOOK YOUR TRIP

 

A 30% deposit will hold your spot on this Hells Canyon Rafting Trip. The remainder of the trip price is due 30 days before your trip.

RATHER TALK TO A HUMAN THAN BOOK ONLINE?

 

TRAVEL TIPS

  • The best days to travel are, at minimum, a full day before and after the river trip. Rivers are wild and Idaho is vast so it’s best to give some leeway
  • This trip starts in Cambridge, ID and ends in Lewiston, ID
  • It’s best to stay in Cambridge, ID the night before the trip: Frontier Motel or other local accommodations
  • After the trip, it’s best to stay in Lewiston, ID (Hells Canyon Grand Hotel) or not drive more than a few hours
  • If flying: Boise, ID is the best airport to fly into. Lewiston, ID or Spokane, WA are the best airports to fly out of. 
  • Getting from Boise to Cambridge (1 hour and 45 minute drive): rent a car or use a local taxi/uber 
  • End of trip logistics: a shuttle to your hotel/car in Lewiston is included
  • If driving or using a rental car: having your car shuttled is required (about $280/car). We’ll help with these logistics and contacting the shuttle company
  • After booking, you’ll receive an email with all trip details including recommended hotels, fishing licenses, etc. 

OTHER IDAHO WHITEWATER RAFTING TRIPS:

 

5 or 6 DAY SALMON RIVER RAFTING

3 or 4 DAY HELLS CANYON RAFTING

Owyhee River Rafting