Idaho state parks - a beautiful place to play and stay!

Skip to ContentHomeContact Us Idaho.gov

Hells Gate Snapshot

Location
120  miles S of Coeur d Alene, ID
136 miles E of Kennewick, WA
110 miles S of Spokane, WA
270 Miles N of Boise, ID
 
Acreage
960
 
Elevation
733
 
Open
Year-round 
 
Overnight
29 standard, 51 serviced, 3 ADA campsites, 8 cabins (1 ADA)
 
Amenities
Flush toilets, showers, dump station, electricity
 
Boating
Ramp, marina, docks
 
Activities
Camp, picnic, hike, mountain bike, cycle, fish, boat, swim, water sports, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, jet boat trips into Hells Canyon
 
Groups
Group shelters, camp, amphitheater, conference rooms
  
Trails
Hike, bike, horse; hard path
 
Wildlife
Steelhead, smallmouth bass, catfish, trout, sturgeon; waterfowl, pelicans, herons, swans, deer, otter, bighorn sheep
 
Learn
Lewis and Clark Discovery Center (with displays, movies about Corp of Discovery and Nez Perce Tribe), Jack O'Connor Hunting Heritage Education Center
 
Nearby
ATV trails, golf, hang gliding, hot air ballooning, helicopter tours, Nez Perce history, outfitted fishing and hunting trips, national recreation areas and trails
 
Rent or buy
Rent kayaks, purchase gifts, souvenirs and disc golf supplies for purchase at Visitors Center Nature Store
 
WiFI
No
 
GPS
46.36917, -117.05444

 

Hells Gate lies on river bottom left over from the great ice age floods about 15,000 years ago. At the south end of the park are basaltic columns from the Pomona flows 14 million years ago. Hells Gate State Park was once the site of a Nez Perce Village. Little is left of the village, but depressions south of the campground are the remnants of pit houses used for years by the Nez Perce as they fished for lamprey near Astoin Creek.

Next Events

No events found.

See all Hells Gate events

Hells Gate Fees

  

Motor Vehicle Entry Fee

$5 per vehicle

Serviced camp site

$22 per night

Standard camp site

$14 per night

Cabins

$55 per night

 

Fees do not include sales tax

  

 

Welcome to Hells Gate State Park

How does a jet boat ride up the Snake River in one of North America's deepest canyons sound?  Or reeling in a steelhead fish, picnicking under shade trees on the banks of the river or a leisurely bike ride on the Clearwater and Snake River trail?  Hells Gate State Park has all this to offer and more.
Quiet and grassy campsites along the shores of the Snake River await campers at Hells Gate.  The park is situated at the lowest elevation in Idaho.  At just 733 feet above sea level, the long season of warm weather gives rise to Lewiston's reputation as Idaho's Banana Belt.

 

Hells Gate State Park

Javascript is required to view this map.
5100 Hells Gate Road , Lewiston, ID 83501

 

Download Hells Gate Maps

Location Map
Year-Round Trail Map

Links and Events at Hells Gate

Lewis and Clark traveled through this area during their journey to discover an inland waterway to the Pacific Ocean. The Lewis and Clark Discovery Center is located in Hells Gate State Park featuring indoor and outdoor displays and a film describing the journey of Lewis and Clark through Idaho.  The Center is a two acre outdoor interpretive plaza on the banks of the Snake River with a beautiful moving stream with sculptures by artist Rip Caswell. While you're at the center, don't miss the 32-minute movie called "From the mountains to the sea: Lewis and Clark in Idaho" and be sure to stop by the Lewis and Clark gift shop.

Marina Access and Boating

The Snake River is perfect for personal watercraft, jet boats, power boats and water skiing. Hells Gate Marina offers more than 100 slips on a daily to yearly basis with boat fuel and moorage, as well as a public boat launch, convenience store, restrooms and plenty of parking. Boat rentals are also available. Contact the Hells Canyon Resort for additional information.  

The Nez Perce National Historic Park

The Nez Perce National Historic Park is just a short drive from Hells Gate, with fascinating displays of artifacts and a glimpse of the traditional life of the Nez Perce people.

Jack O'Connor Hunting Heritage and Education Center

The Jack O'Conner Hunting Heritage and Education Center displays the hunting trophies of outdoor writer and conservatinist Jack O'Connor and tells the story of American's hunting heritage.  

 

First Time Camper Program

Idaho will be hosting a First-Time Camper Program making The North Face equipment available to individuals and families who may never have had the opportunity to experience the wonders of camping. Idaho will also feature Explore Your Parks signage within Eagle Island and Three Island Crossing State Parks to further interpretive information available within each park.

The aim of The North Face First Time Camper Program is to bring families together in the great outdoors. These camping programs are overnight experiences for those new to camping, or for those who could use a refresher. The focus will be on the basics of camping, and give your family the skills to enjoy a night out in the great outdoors. No prior outdoor knowledge is needed.

Activities May Include:

  • Fundamentals of camping 
  • Staff led nature hike and plant identification
  • Wildlife interpretive programs
  • Fishing, geocaching, canoeing
  • Outdoor cooking instruction
  • Tips on sustainability and fire safety 
 

 

More information

Contact this park for more information about the First Time Camper Program.

See video

The Idaho State Parks Passport: Providing Savings for 2013!

When implemented, the Idaho State Parks Passport will allow Idaho motorists to check "Yes!" to support Idaho State Parks by agreeing to pay an additional $10 in conjunction with renewing their license plates through the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and County Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Offices.  The Passport sticker will allow participating Idahoans unlimited daytime entry to Idaho state parks, IDPR operated recreation areas and boating access sites. The Passport will also provide nightly discounts on camping.  

When you pay the additional $10 for your passport, you'll receive a sticker that will adhere to your motor vehicle.  The sticker will provide unlimited access to all 30 state parks for the entire registration year.  

Out-of-state guests will have a savings option too, with the purchase of an Idaho State Park Motor Vehicle Entry Fee (MVEF) Annual.

 

What Will $10 Buy You and Your Family?

  • Admittance to all 30 Idaho State Parks for a year
  • Nightly discounts on camping
  • Hundreds of miles of hiking, cycling, mountain biking and Nordic trails
  • Your favorite boat launches
  • Countless historical and cultural sites within your state parks

Good for Idaho, Good for Idahoans!

Idaho‘s State Park Passport is simply a sustainable way to pay for the maintenance and management of Idaho’s 30 cherished state parks.  For those Idahoans who choose to participate in the program, the Idaho State Parks Passport sticker will replace the $5 per motor vehicle entry fee currently in place at state parks while also providing nightly discounts on camping.  

Out of State Guests

Our out-of-state guests have savings options too! You can purchase a $40 Motor Vehicle Entry Fee (MVEF) Annual and receive access to all of Idaho's State Parks and nightly discounts on camping. MVEF Annuals can be purchased at any Idaho State Park and online.

 

Hells Gate Snapshot

Location
120  miles S of Coeur d Alene, ID
136 miles E of Kennewick, WA
110 miles S of Spokane, WA
270 Miles N of Boise, ID
 
Acreage
960
 
Elevation
733
 
Open
Year-round 
 
Overnight
29 standard, 51 serviced, 3 ADA campsites, 8 cabins (1 ADA)
 
Amenities
Flush toilets, showers, dump station, electricity
 
Boating
Ramp, marina, docks
 
Activities
Camp, picnic, hike, mountain bike, cycle, fish, boat, swim, water sports, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, jet boat trips into Hells Canyon
 
Groups
Group shelters, camp, amphitheater, conference rooms
  
Trails
Hike, bike, horse; hard path
 
Wildlife
Steelhead, smallmouth bass, catfish, trout, sturgeon; waterfowl, pelicans, herons, swans, deer, otter, bighorn sheep
 
Learn
Lewis and Clark Discovery Center (with displays, movies about Corp of Discovery and Nez Perce Tribe), Jack O'Connor Hunting Heritage Education Center
 
Nearby
ATV trails, golf, hang gliding, hot air ballooning, helicopter tours, Nez Perce history, outfitted fishing and hunting trips, national recreation areas and trails
 
Rent or buy
Rent kayaks, purchase gifts, souvenirs and disc golf supplies for purchase at Visitors Center Nature Store
 
WiFI
No
 
GPS
46.36917, -117.05444

 

Hells Gate lies on river bottom left over from the great ice age floods about 15,000 years ago. At the south end of the park are basaltic columns from the Pomona flows 14 million years ago. Hells Gate State Park was once the site of a Nez Perce Village. Little is left of the village, but depressions south of the campground are the remnants of pit houses used for years by the Nez Perce as they fished for lamprey near Astoin Creek.

Next Events

No events found.

See all Hells Gate events

Hells Gate Fees

  

Motor Vehicle Entry Fee

$5 per vehicle

Serviced camp site

$22 per night

Standard camp site

$14 per night

Cabins

$55 per night

 

Fees do not include sales tax

  

 

Welcome to Hells Gate State Park

How does a jet boat ride up the Snake River in one of North America's deepest canyons sound?  Or reeling in a steelhead fish, picnicking under shade trees on the banks of the river or a leisurely bike ride on the Clearwater and Snake River trail?  Hells Gate State Park has all this to offer and more.
Quiet and grassy campsites along the shores of the Snake River await campers at Hells Gate.  The park is situated at the lowest elevation in Idaho.  At just 733 feet above sea level, the long season of warm weather gives rise to Lewiston's reputation as Idaho's Banana Belt.

 

Hells Gate State Park

Javascript is required to view this map.
5100 Hells Gate Road , Lewiston, ID 83501

 

Download Hells Gate Maps

Location Map
Year-Round Trail Map

Links and Events at Hells Gate

Lewis and Clark traveled through this area during their journey to discover an inland waterway to the Pacific Ocean. The Lewis and Clark Discovery Center is located in Hells Gate State Park featuring indoor and outdoor displays and a film describing the journey of Lewis and Clark through Idaho.  The Center is a two acre outdoor interpretive plaza on the banks of the Snake River with a beautiful moving stream with sculptures by artist Rip Caswell. While you're at the center, don't miss the 32-minute movie called "From the mountains to the sea: Lewis and Clark in Idaho" and be sure to stop by the Lewis and Clark gift shop.

Marina Access and Boating

The Snake River is perfect for personal watercraft, jet boats, power boats and water skiing. Hells Gate Marina offers more than 100 slips on a daily to yearly basis with boat fuel and moorage, as well as a public boat launch, convenience store, restrooms and plenty of parking. Boat rentals are also available. Contact the Hells Canyon Resort for additional information.  

The Nez Perce National Historic Park

The Nez Perce National Historic Park is just a short drive from Hells Gate, with fascinating displays of artifacts and a glimpse of the traditional life of the Nez Perce people.

Jack O'Connor Hunting Heritage and Education Center

The Jack O'Conner Hunting Heritage and Education Center displays the hunting trophies of outdoor writer and conservatinist Jack O'Connor and tells the story of American's hunting heritage.  

 

First Time Camper Program

Idaho will be hosting a First-Time Camper Program making The North Face equipment available to individuals and families who may never have had the opportunity to experience the wonders of camping. Idaho will also feature Explore Your Parks signage within Eagle Island and Three Island Crossing State Parks to further interpretive information available within each park.

The aim of The North Face First Time Camper Program is to bring families together in the great outdoors. These camping programs are overnight experiences for those new to camping, or for those who could use a refresher. The focus will be on the basics of camping, and give your family the skills to enjoy a night out in the great outdoors. No prior outdoor knowledge is needed.

Activities May Include:

  • Fundamentals of camping 
  • Staff led nature hike and plant identification
  • Wildlife interpretive programs
  • Fishing, geocaching, canoeing
  • Outdoor cooking instruction
  • Tips on sustainability and fire safety 
 

 

More information

Contact this park for more information about the First Time Camper Program.

See video

The Idaho State Parks Passport: Providing Savings for 2013!

When implemented, the Idaho State Parks Passport will allow Idaho motorists to check "Yes!" to support Idaho State Parks by agreeing to pay an additional $10 in conjunction with renewing their license plates through the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and County Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Offices.  The Passport sticker will allow participating Idahoans unlimited daytime entry to Idaho state parks, IDPR operated recreation areas and boating access sites. The Passport will also provide nightly discounts on camping.  

When you pay the additional $10 for your passport, you'll receive a sticker that will adhere to your motor vehicle.  The sticker will provide unlimited access to all 30 state parks for the entire registration year.  

Out-of-state guests will have a savings option too, with the purchase of an Idaho State Park Motor Vehicle Entry Fee (MVEF) Annual.

 

What Will $10 Buy You and Your Family?

  • Admittance to all 30 Idaho State Parks for a year
  • Nightly discounts on camping
  • Hundreds of miles of hiking, cycling, mountain biking and Nordic trails
  • Your favorite boat launches
  • Countless historical and cultural sites within your state parks

Good for Idaho, Good for Idahoans!

Idaho‘s State Park Passport is simply a sustainable way to pay for the maintenance and management of Idaho’s 30 cherished state parks.  For those Idahoans who choose to participate in the program, the Idaho State Parks Passport sticker will replace the $5 per motor vehicle entry fee currently in place at state parks while also providing nightly discounts on camping.  

Out of State Guests

Our out-of-state guests have savings options too! You can purchase a $40 Motor Vehicle Entry Fee (MVEF) Annual and receive access to all of Idaho's State Parks and nightly discounts on camping. MVEF Annuals can be purchased at any Idaho State Park and online.