Hells Canyon offers amazing opportunities to enjoy the rugged wilderness of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The difficulty is deciding which kind of Hells Canyon tour best fits your needs! Are you looking for heart-pounding rapids that will keep your adrenaline rushing? Or are you looking for something a little calmer with more scenic views of the area? Once you figure out which type of tour fits you best, then it is time to find a guide to make it happen!

Exciting Hells Canyon Tours

If you are looking to experience all that Hells Canyon offers, jet boat tours are the way to go! Their specially designed boats blast through white water rapids ranging from class 1 all the way through class 5. With their focus on safety, you can sit back and take in all the fun! The Hells Canyon region does not have much in the way of access the splendor without being on the river itself. The best Hells Canyon tour guides know where to find the exciting experience you are looking for!

Scenic Hells Canyon Tours

While there is plenty of white knuckled fun to be had on the Snake River, there are tour opportunities that will be less intense as well. The river offers plenty of wildlife along its banks. You can see herds of elk, deer, mountain goats and bighorn sheep just to name a few. The typical scenic river tour takes around six hours and includes opportunities to explore the local area.

Which Tour Operator is Best?

Hammer Down River Excursions | Hells Canyon in Idaho, Idaho Outdoors

Regardless of the tour operator you book with, be sure the tour begins in Hells Canyon. This means you spend more time having fun on the river and less time getting to the river. This is important because your time is valuable.

Look for a tour company that is locally owned and operated. Being local means they know the background and history of the area. While you may be looking for heart-pounding fun, adding in the rich history of the area makes your trip even better!

Finally, be sure to ask about food and refreshments. Will lunch be served on the tour? If so, what kind of lunch is typically included? The best river tour operators in Idaho include homemade lunches that top off the entire experience…not just a brown bag sandwich and chips!

How to Hire the Right Hells Canyon Tour Company?

It is always best to look for third party reviews when considering which company to use for your day on the river. Website testimonials are great, but reviews on sites like Google and Facebook typically offer a more well-rounded look of the company’s reputation.

It is also wise to ask about their safety record. Ask if their boats and staff are US Coast Guard certified. It is important to book your tour with an established company with a long history of safe operations and a long list of positive reviews!