Access Site
OR
Dug Bar
City: OR
County: Wallowa County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 45.80465000, -116.68650000
Air Temp: --
Location
Interactive access map
Loads when you reach this section.
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on Snake River
21 runs (4 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
II
This location is on this run
J) Pittsburg Landing (or Salmon) to Heller Bar
47.4 mi
I-II
Downstream from here (28.2 mi to put-in)
K. Heller Bar to Clearwater (Lewiston/Clarkston)
29.0 mi
I
Downstream from here (49.2 mi to put-in)
L) Lewiston to Columbia River
140.0 mi
2 ft/mi
III-IV
Upstream from here (18.8 mi from take-out)
I) Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing
32.0 mi
12 ft/mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
I(II)
170 mi away
H) Swan Falls Dam to Walters Ferry (Birds of Prey)
16.3 mi
2 ft/mi
II-III
232 mi away
G) Lower Salmon Falls Dam to Bliss Reservoir
7.1 mi
16 ft/mi
III-IV+
244 mi away
F) Crystal Springs to Upper Salmon Falls Res.
19.3 mi
III-IV+
265 mi away
Auger Falls Park
1.9 mi
III-IV(V)
274 mi away
E) Murtaugh Bridge to Twin Falls Reservoir - (The Murtaugh)
13.3 mi
I(II)
288 mi away
D) Milner Power Plant to Star Falls (Cauldron Linn)
6.6 mi
V+
291 mi away
C) Milner Dam to Milner Power Plant (Milner Mile)
1.5 mi
II
379 mi away
A) Palisades Dam to Launch Site East of Poplar (Swan Valley)
40.4 mi
II-III
431 mi away
1- Yellowstone Natl Park Entrance to Flagg Ranch
3.3 mi
II-III+
431 mi away
8 - Sheep Gulch to Palisades Reservoir
3.9 mi
I-II
434 mi away
3 - Moose to Wilson Bridge
14.5 mi
I
434 mi away
4 - Wilson Bridge to South Park Bridge
13.4 mi
III
435 mi away
7 - West Table to Sheep Gulch (Alpine Canyon)
7.9 mi
I(II)
438 mi away
2 - Jackson Lake to Moose (Teton National Park)
26.0 mi
I-III
443 mi away
5 - South Park Bridge to Astoria Bridge
8.6 mi
I-III
443 mi away
6 - Astoria Bridge to West Table
9.3 mi
III+(V)
442 mi away
Headwaters to Heart River
16.3 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Dug Bar is the only vehicle-accessible boat launch on the Oregon side of the northern Snake River in Hells Canyon, making it a key access point for the region. The facility features a small concrete single-lane ramp and accessible toilet facilities. This is an excellent starting point for paddlers and boaters looking to explore Hells Canyon, and the site is popular with anglers, hikers, and other recreationalists.
The Snake River at this location is a major waterway with significant flow averaging over 49,000 cubic feet per second and a steep gradient of approximately 15.8 feet per mile. Paddlers should be prepared for a powerful river with swift currents (average velocity of 10.8 feet/second) and challenging terrain—the canyon features steep walls characteristic of Hells Canyon. The area offers access to historical ranching structures from the early 20th century on the flat bench above the river.
For those unable to launch privately, Snake River outfitters offer jet boat and float trip alternatives to access Dug Bar and explore the canyon. The site provides a gateway to the Nez Perce National Historic Trail and Snowhole Rapids Wilderness Study Area, combining excellent paddling opportunities with rich cultural and natural history.
The Snake River at this location is a major waterway with significant flow averaging over 49,000 cubic feet per second and a steep gradient of approximately 15.8 feet per mile. Paddlers should be prepared for a powerful river with swift currents (average velocity of 10.8 feet/second) and challenging terrain—the canyon features steep walls characteristic of Hells Canyon. The area offers access to historical ranching structures from the early 20th century on the flat bench above the river.
For those unable to launch privately, Snake River outfitters offer jet boat and float trip alternatives to access Dug Bar and explore the canyon. The site provides a gateway to the Nez Perce National Historic Trail and Snowhole Rapids Wilderness Study Area, combining excellent paddling opportunities with rich cultural and natural history.
Nearby Recreation Areas
Nez Perce National Historic Trail
Located within
Snowhole Rapids Wilderness Study Area
Located within
Nearby Boat Facilities
Dug Bar Trailhead and Boat Launch
On-site
Amenities
parking
restrooms