Idaho and Oregon ยท Snake River
Hells Canyon rafting trips
Big water on the Snake River between Idaho and Oregon. Every float outfitter we could find, side by side, and no lottery to enter.
3 to 6 days / 2 to 5 nightsQuick answer
Guided Hells Canyon rafting trips on the Snake River run 3 days, 2 nights to 6 days, 5 nights, from spring into fall. Short trips end at Pittsburg Landing and longer ones at Heller Bar. We found 10 float outfitters. Booking a seat skips the four rivers lottery. Listed prices start at $1,350 per person (checked September 2026).
The route
Hells Canyon Creek to Heller Bar
The big rapids come early. The Wild section ends at Pittsburg Landing, and longer trips keep going through the Scenic section to Heller Bar.
- Mile 0Hells Canyon CreekLaunch, below the dam
- Miles 5.5, 7.7Wild Sheep, GraniteClass IV
- Mile 32Pittsburg LandingEnd of the Wild section
- Mile 51Dug Bar
- Mile 79Heller BarTake out; shuttle to Lewiston
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
Distances from the Forest Service floaters guide, counted from the Hells Canyon Creek launch; rapid miles and classes from American Whitewater, counted from the dam. Shown for a 5 day, 4 night trip to Heller Bar. Camps are set by the outfitter.
Compare outfitters
Every Hells Canyon rafting outfitter we found, side by side
The Forest Service lists its Snake River float outfitters on a page we could not read in full. This table starts from an Idaho outfitters association's Hells Canyon page, adds Oregon outfitters from their own sites, and uses each outfitter's site for details. Listed alphabetically.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per adult | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| America's Rafting Company | 3 days, 2 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak | May to October | 7 | $1,4753 day, 2 night trip; 2024 price, the latest shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with America's Rafting |
| Hells Canyon Raft | 3 days, 2 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak | May to October | 7 (10 at high water) | $1,4253 day, 2 night trip, 2027; 5 day, 4 night trip $2,250. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Hells Canyon Raft |
| Minam Store Outfitters | 4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Raft | Summer | 8 | $1,8504 day, 3 night trip; year not shown; 5 day $2,190. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Minam Store |
| Momentum River Expeditions | 3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Raft, inflatable kayak, paddle board | May to early October | 7 (12 from May to late June) | $1,500Listed as $1,500 to $1,850; trip and year not stated. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Momentum |
| OARS | 4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Dory, oar, inflatable kayak, paddle board | May to September | 7 (12 late May to late June) | $1,8494 day, 3 night trip, September 2026; $1,999 in 2027; dory trip from $2,299. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with OARS |
| ROW Adventures | 5 days, 4 nights | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak | May to September | 7 to 12 recommended | $2,020Shoulder season, 2026; $2,150 in 2027. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with ROW |
| Salmon Raft | 3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Raft | May to September | Not listed (youth rate under 18) | $1,3503 day, 2 night trip, 2026; 20% off in May and September. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Salmon Raft |
| Tributary Whitewater Tours | 4 days, 3 nights | Paddle | Late May to October | 7 | $1,4004 day, 3 night trip, 2026, plus a $100 jet boat shuttle. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Tributary |
| Western River Expeditions | 5 days, 4 nights on the river | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak | May to September | 12 in May and June; 8 July to September | $2,020September 2026; $2,190 May to August. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Western River |
| Winding Waters River Expeditions | 3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Paddle, oar | April to October | 7 (12 at spring high water) | $1,4253 day, 2 night trip, 2027; 5 day from $1,795 plus a $30 fee. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Winding Waters |
"Not listed" means we could not find it on the outfitter's site in September 2026. Where a site gives days only, nights are days minus one. Prices are the lowest adult rate we found. Confirm when booking.
Not shown: Hells Canyon Adventures, which runs jet boat tours and shuttles rather than raft trips. Missing an outfitter? Tell us.
The no lottery way in
Guided trip or private permit?
From the Friday before Memorial Day through September 10, private float trips in Hells Canyon need a reservation from the four rivers lottery, and the Forest Service allows three private Wild section launches a day. A guided trip skips the lottery.
No lottery
Book a guided trip
- How you get a spot
- Pick a date with one of the outfitters above and book it.
- When you can go
- Outfitters run from April or May into October, depending on the company.
- Trip length
- 3 days, 2 nights to 6 days, 5 nights on the trips we checked.
- Boats and food
- The outfitter brings the boats, guides, meals and camp.
Private permit
Enter the four rivers lottery
- When to apply
- December 1 to January 31.
- Results
- Emailed February 14.
- Leftovers
- Unclaimed permits open March 16 at 8 am MST.
- Group size
- Up to 24 people and 8 boats; $6 reservation fee.
Sources: Recreation.gov Hells Canyon permit page, Forest Service four rivers lottery and the Forest Service floaters guide.
On the river
What a day on a Hells Canyon rafting trip looks like
The Class IV rapids come in the first 8 miles. The Forest Service floaters guide puts Pittsburg Landing 2 to 3 days from the launch and Heller Bar 4 to 6.
- Morning
Breakfast in camp, then everything packs back onto the boats.
- Midday
Rapids and long calm pools, with lunch on a beach.
- Afternoon
A side hike or a stop at a historic ranch such as Kirkwood, then on to camp.
- Evening
Camp on the river, dinner cooked by the guides, the night in the canyon.
What outfitters list as included
- Guides, boats and life jackets
- Meals on the river
- Camp gear
- The shuttle back from the take out, on many trips
Tributary adds $100 for a jet boat shuttle, and Winding Waters adds a $30 federal fee on its 5 day, 4 night trip. Check each outfitter's list.
Worth checking before you book
- Jet boat shuttles, which some outfitters charge extra for
- Sleeping bags
- Travel to Cambridge, Halfway, Joseph or McCall
- Guide tips
More on camp life, meals and the toilet in river camping, and on tips in tipping your guides.
When to go
The Hells Canyon rafting season
The Forest Service primary season runs from the Friday before Memorial Day through September 10. Outfitters run most trips May to September; Winding Waters starts in April, and several run into October.
Several outfitters raise minimum ages from late May to late June, when the water is high. See when to go rafting for how seasons compare.
Who it suits
Which Hells Canyon trip fits you
Short on time
3 days and 2 nights to Pittsburg Landing covers the Wild section and its biggest rapids. See 3 day rafting trips.
Families
Most outfitters take kids from 7 once the high water drops in late June. See family rafting trips.
Dory fans
OARS runs Hells Canyon in dories. See dory trips and week long rafting trips.
Questions
Hells Canyon rafting trip questions
How much does a Hells Canyon rafting trip cost?
On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, the lowest listed rate is $1,350 per person for a 3 day, 2 night trip with Salmon Raft. Most 5 day, 4 night trips list from about $1,795 to $2,250. Every price in the table is dated. Confirm when booking.
How long is a Hells Canyon rafting trip?
Outfitters run 3 days, 2 nights to 6 days, 5 nights. The Forest Service puts Pittsburg Landing 32 miles below the Hells Canyon Creek launch, a 2 to 3 day float, and Heller Bar 79 miles down, a 4 to 6 day float. Shorter trips end at Pittsburg Landing; longer ones run to Heller Bar.
Do I need a permit to raft Hells Canyon?
Not on a guided trip. From the Friday before Memorial Day through September 10, private float trips need a reservation, and those go through the four rivers lottery. Outfitters hold their own permits, so you book a seat directly.
How hard are the rapids in Hells Canyon?
The Forest Service says rapids run Class II to Class IV at normal summer flows. Recreation.gov lists Class II to V. Wild Sheep and Granite, the two rapids American Whitewater rates Class IV, sit in the first 8 miles.
Will we see jet boats?
Yes. Jet boats run the Snake through Hells Canyon. The Forest Service sets non motorized periods in the Wild section, Monday to Wednesday every other week from the first Monday in June, between Wild Sheep Rapid and Kirkwood Ranch.
What is the minimum age for a Hells Canyon trip?
Most outfitters we checked list 7, and several raise it to 10 or 12 at spring high water. Minam lists 8, and Western lists 12 in May and June and 8 from July.
Where do Hells Canyon trips start and end?
Trips launch below Hells Canyon Dam. Outfitters meet guests in Cambridge, Halfway, Joseph or McCall the night before or that morning. Short trips take out at Pittsburg Landing; longer trips end at Heller Bar, with a shuttle to Lewiston.
Can I raft Hells Canyon in a dory?
Yes. OARS runs a Hells Canyon dory trip, listed from $2,299. See dory trips for more.
When is the best time to raft Hells Canyon?
Most outfitters run May to September, and a few run from April or into October. Several set higher minimum ages from late May to late June, when the water is high.
How many private groups launch each day?
Three private Wild section float launches a day during the primary season, according to the Forest Service. That is why the lottery matters, and why many people book a guided trip instead.
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Keep planning
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- Family rafting tripsCompare minimum ages
- Outfitter directoryEvery outfitter we list, by name
- Rafting trip costHow prices compare across rivers
- Plan your tripAll planning guides
Ready to book
Pick your Hells Canyon outfitter
Compare trip lengths, boats and minimum ages, then check dates directly with the outfitter.