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Hells Gate Snapshot
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.
Hells Gate Fees |
|
|
Motor Vehicle Entry Fee |
$5 per vehicle |
|
Serviced camp site |
$24-$31 per night |
|
Standard camp site |
$12-$21 per night |
|
Cabins |
$50-$60 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
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.
The Idaho State Parks Passport: Your State Park Saving Option!
The Idaho State Parks Passport allows Idaho motorists 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 allows 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
- 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.
Idaho's First Time Adventure Program
Have you always wanted to camp outdoors, bike, fish or engage in paddle sport, but didn’t know the basics, have the proper equipment, or even know where to go? Our First Time Adventure Program brings families and the great outdoors together! We host a fun-filled, outdoor experience for first-time adventurers. Our park's knowledgeable and friendly staff will provide you with gear, show you the ropes and make sure you have fun in the process.
Participating State Parks
Castle Rocks State Park offers an introductory fishing program for all ages. Equipment is available. Contact the park directly to participate: (208)824-5519
Hells Gate State Park
Hells Gate State Park offers several first time programs including instruction on camping, bicycling and bird watching. Equipment is available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)799-5015.
Lake Cascade State Park
Lake Cascade State Park offers introductory programs for both first time campers and paddlers. Camping and paddling equipment is available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)382-6544.
Lucky Peak State Park
Lucky Peak State Park offers an introductory outdoor recreation skills programs specific to fishing, camping and dutch oven cooking. Equipment is available at the park for use. Contact the park directly for details (208)334-2432.
Lake Walcott State Park
Lake Walcott State Park offers a first time fishing program for all ages. Instruction provided and equipment is available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)436-1258.
Massacre Rocks State Park
Massacre Rocks State Park offers an intensive water sports safety programs for all ages and skill levels including first time canoeing and kayaking classes. Vessels and safety equipment available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)548-2672.
Priest Lake State Park
Priest Lake State Park offers several first time adventure programs including first time camping, dutch oven cooking, snow shoeing and water sports. Equipment is available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)443-2200.
Winchester Lake State Park offers a first time fishing program, complete with an end-of-year tournament, for all ages. Equipment is available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)924-7563.
First Time Adventure Programs within Idaho's State Parks are generously sponsored by:
Marina and Boating Access
Hells Gate Marina, on the banks of the beautiful Snake River, is located within Hells Gate Sate Park and offers over 100 slips, 30 amp power, as well as a public boat launch, convenience store, restrooms and plenty of parking. Kayak and Canoe Rentals available May to September. Slips are available by the day, week month or year.
Exciting Hells Canyon jet boat tours depart from the Hells Gate Marina most summer days. Contact one of the listed outfitters below:
Snake River Adventures & River Quest Excursions (Moored at Hells Gate State Park)
4832 Hells Gate Road
Lewiston ID 83501
208-746-6276 | 1-800-262-8874
www.snakeriveradventures.com or www.riverquestexcursions.com
Beamers Hells Canyon Tours (Can arrange pick-up at Hells Gate State Park)
1451 Bridge Street
Clarkston WA 99403
509-758-4800 | 1-800-522-696
www.hellscanyontours.com
Snake Dancer Excursions (Can arrange pick-up at Hells Gate State Park)
1550 Port Drive Ste. B
Clarkston WA 99403
509-758-8927 | 1-800-234-1941
www.snakedancerexcursions.com
The Lewis & Clark Discovery Center
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.
Hells Gate Snapshot
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.
Hells Gate Fees |
|
|
Motor Vehicle Entry Fee |
$5 per vehicle |
|
Serviced camp site |
$24-$31 per night |
|
Standard camp site |
$12-$21 per night |
|
Cabins |
$50-$60 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
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.
The Idaho State Parks Passport: Your State Park Saving Option!
The Idaho State Parks Passport allows Idaho motorists 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 allows 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
- 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.
Idaho's First Time Adventure Program
Have you always wanted to camp outdoors, bike, fish or engage in paddle sport, but didn’t know the basics, have the proper equipment, or even know where to go? Our First Time Adventure Program brings families and the great outdoors together! We host a fun-filled, outdoor experience for first-time adventurers. Our park's knowledgeable and friendly staff will provide you with gear, show you the ropes and make sure you have fun in the process.
Participating State Parks
Castle Rocks State Park offers an introductory fishing program for all ages. Equipment is available. Contact the park directly to participate: (208)824-5519
Hells Gate State Park
Hells Gate State Park offers several first time programs including instruction on camping, bicycling and bird watching. Equipment is available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)799-5015.
Lake Cascade State Park
Lake Cascade State Park offers introductory programs for both first time campers and paddlers. Camping and paddling equipment is available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)382-6544.
Lucky Peak State Park
Lucky Peak State Park offers an introductory outdoor recreation skills programs specific to fishing, camping and dutch oven cooking. Equipment is available at the park for use. Contact the park directly for details (208)334-2432.
Lake Walcott State Park
Lake Walcott State Park offers a first time fishing program for all ages. Instruction provided and equipment is available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)436-1258.
Massacre Rocks State Park
Massacre Rocks State Park offers an intensive water sports safety programs for all ages and skill levels including first time canoeing and kayaking classes. Vessels and safety equipment available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)548-2672.
Priest Lake State Park
Priest Lake State Park offers several first time adventure programs including first time camping, dutch oven cooking, snow shoeing and water sports. Equipment is available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)443-2200.
Winchester Lake State Park offers a first time fishing program, complete with an end-of-year tournament, for all ages. Equipment is available for use. Contact the park for details: (208)924-7563.
First Time Adventure Programs within Idaho's State Parks are generously sponsored by:
Marina and Boating Access
Hells Gate Marina, on the banks of the beautiful Snake River, is located within Hells Gate Sate Park and offers over 100 slips, 30 amp power, as well as a public boat launch, convenience store, restrooms and plenty of parking. Kayak and Canoe Rentals available May to September. Slips are available by the day, week month or year.
Exciting Hells Canyon jet boat tours depart from the Hells Gate Marina most summer days. Contact one of the listed outfitters below:
Snake River Adventures & River Quest Excursions (Moored at Hells Gate State Park)
4832 Hells Gate Road
Lewiston ID 83501
208-746-6276 | 1-800-262-8874
www.snakeriveradventures.com or www.riverquestexcursions.com
Beamers Hells Canyon Tours (Can arrange pick-up at Hells Gate State Park)
1451 Bridge Street
Clarkston WA 99403
509-758-4800 | 1-800-522-696
www.hellscanyontours.com
Snake Dancer Excursions (Can arrange pick-up at Hells Gate State Park)
1550 Port Drive Ste. B
Clarkston WA 99403
509-758-8927 | 1-800-234-1941
www.snakedancerexcursions.com
The Lewis & Clark Discovery Center
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.