About this campground
The Hells Canyon Wilderness is composed of 217,927 acres of high mountain peaks, ominous canyon rim-rocks, breathtaking vistas, and quieting solitude. Established in 1975 as part of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Act (P.L. 94-199) the wilderness is split by the Snake River into two distinct areas – one in Oregon and the smaller portion in Idaho. Although the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has the lead stewardship responsibility, the wilderness also includes lands from the Payette National Forest, Nez Perce National Forest, and Bureau of Land Management. At lower elevations on the Idaho side, dry, barren, steep slopes break over into the Snake River canyon. In the high country are the towering peaks, rock-faced slopes, and alpine lakes of the Seven Devils Mountain Range - said to be named for a vision of seven dancing devils that appeared to an Indian lost in the area. The legend fits. Here, splendid mountain peaks rise well over 9,000 feet, and bear names like She Devil, He Devil, Ogre, Goblin, Devil's Throne, Mt. Belial and Twin Imps. On both the Oregon and Idaho sides the higher elevation areas are characteristic of rocky slopes and grasslands laced with 'stringer canyons' and groves composed of Douglas fir and ponderosa pine. The lower elevations are dominated by grassland benches with steep canyons and ravines dissecting the isolated Oregon-side. Species of interest are Rocky Mountain elk, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mule deer, and chukar. Key access points: Trailhead and Trail information. View larger map
Getting there
The Hells Canyon Wilderness lies 30 miles east of Enterprise and Joseph, Oregon and 10 miles west of Riggins, Idaho. Main Access Points Trailheads from Enterprise, Oregon side Buck Creek NRA Trailhead - Reservoir Bench Trail #1884 PO Saddle Trailhead - Western Rim National Recreation Trail #1774 Hat Point Trailhead - Hat Point Trail #1752 Warnock Corral Trailhead - Temperance Creek Trail #1778 Dug Bar Trailhead - Western Rim National Recreation Trail #1774, Snake River Trail #1726 Freezeout Trailhead –Saddle Creek #1776 to Western Rim National Recreation Trail #1774 Trailheads from Riggins, Idaho side Black Lake Campground - Black Lake- Horse Heaven Trail #214 Heaven's Gate Trailhead - Boise Trail #101 (north) Windy Saddle Trailhead and Windy Saddle Horse Camp - Seven Devils Trail #124 Cold Springs Trailhead- Boise Trail #101 Low Saddle Trailhead – Stormy Point Trail #108 Snake River Trailhead - Snake River National Recreation Trail #102 Maps Topo Maps Cactus Mountain, Fingerboard Saddle, Grave Point, Hat Point, He Devil, Heaven’s Gate, Homestead, Kessler Creek, Kirkwood Creek, Lord Flat, Old Timer Mountain, Puderbaugh Ridge, Purgatory Saddle, Sleepy Ridge, Squirrel Prairie, Temperance Creek, White Monument, Wolf Creek. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo maps. Buy maps online Go to the National Forest Store. Wilderness.net Go to Wilderness.net for online maps and other important Wilderness information.
Activities
- HIKING
- HORSE CAMPING
Explore more Oregon camping
Hells Canyon Wilderness doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Oregon campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.
Browse Oregon camping →Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.