Idaho · River fishing · White Bird

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area - Idaho

Jun–Oct
best months

Is Hells Canyon National Recreation Area - Idaho open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. It doesn't name Hells Canyon National Recreation Area - Idaho, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area in Idaho is a Forest Service unit within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, and it is set up for river fishing rather than a single trail or peak. The recreation area is managed by the Forest Service, and the Idaho side of the canyon is the focus here. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 81°F with only about five or six wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the mid-30s and regular snow days from December through February. Several trails start close by. Camp Howard Trail is about 1.2 miles away and Deer Creek Spur about 1.3 miles. Pittsburg Campground, across the line in Oregon, is about 4.4 miles off, and White Bird Creek, a paddling spot, is about 9.7 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Hells Canyon National Recreation Area - Idaho

    Best months: June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      37° / 25°

      13 wet · 8 snow

    2. Feb

      40° / 26°

      11 wet · 6 snow

    3. Mar

      48° / 30°

      13 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      54° / 35°

      14 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      63° / 42°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 48°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 56°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 56°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 49°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 39°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      44° / 30°

      12 wet · 4 snow

    12. Dec

      36° / 24°

      13 wet · 9 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cottonwood 2 Wsw, ID, 25.8 mi away at 3,945 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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