Hells Canyon

Heavenly thrills greet visitors to this rugged gorge

Rest assured, the “devil” is not in the details behind the creation of the nation’s deepest gorge. It was the Snake River that carved this 8,000-foot-deep canyon, 2,000 feet deeper than even the Grand Canyon. And instead of a hellish tableau, you’ll see a geographic masterpiece seemingly built for adventure.

During their famed 1804-1806 expedition, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark first discovered what visitors to Hells Canyon now recognize: It ranks up there with some of the most spectacular sites of the Northwest. And it’s sprawling as well as deep; Washington state shares this 10-mile-wide geographical wonder with Idaho and Oregon.

The Snake River flows northward through this iconic gorge, with the Lewis and Clark Valley communities of Clarkston, Washington and Lewiston, Idaho, settled along its riverbanks. Adventurous visitors come here to follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark.

Art Bromage

Cool Clarkston

Located at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, Clarkston caters to visitors who want to experience Hells Canyon and the river’s rapids via raft or jet boat. This town sits in the Lewis and Clark Valley, and its mild temperatures make it the envy of the inland Northwest because golfers can tee off year-round in the area on four challenging 18-hole courses. Other outdoor activities in the valley include horseback riding, fishing, hunting and biking.

A thriving crop of wineries has given Lewis and Clark Valley some serious attention from wine experts. Valley wineries are winning accolades for products created from regional grapes.

For More Information

Hells Canyon Visitor Bureau

877-774-7248

www.visitlcvalley.com

Washington Tourism Alliance

800-544-1800

www.experiencewa.com