Access Site
ID
Hells Gate State Park
City: Lewiston, ID
County: Nez Perce County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 46.36948606, -117.05530386
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 (3 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
I-II
This location is on this run
K. Heller Bar to Clearwater (Lewiston/Clarkston)
29.0 mi
I
This location is on this run
L) Lewiston to Columbia River
140.0 mi
2 ft/mi
II
Upstream from here (20.2 mi from take-out)
J) Pittsburg Landing (or Salmon) to Heller Bar
47.4 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
III-IV
65 mi away
I) Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing
32.0 mi
12 ft/mi
I(II)
211 mi away
H) Swan Falls Dam to Walters Ferry (Birds of Prey)
16.3 mi
2 ft/mi
II-III
278 mi away
G) Lower Salmon Falls Dam to Bliss Reservoir
7.1 mi
16 ft/mi
III-IV+
290 mi away
F) Crystal Springs to Upper Salmon Falls Res.
19.3 mi
III-IV+
311 mi away
Auger Falls Park
1.9 mi
III-IV(V)
321 mi away
E) Murtaugh Bridge to Twin Falls Reservoir - (The Murtaugh)
13.3 mi
I(II)
334 mi away
D) Milner Power Plant to Star Falls (Cauldron Linn)
6.6 mi
V+
337 mi away
C) Milner Dam to Milner Power Plant (Milner Mile)
1.5 mi
II
418 mi away
A) Palisades Dam to Launch Site East of Poplar (Swan Valley)
40.4 mi
II-III
467 mi away
1- Yellowstone Natl Park Entrance to Flagg Ranch
3.3 mi
I-II
472 mi away
3 - Moose to Wilson Bridge
14.5 mi
I
472 mi away
4 - Wilson Bridge to South Park Bridge
13.4 mi
II-III+
471 mi away
8 - Sheep Gulch to Palisades Reservoir
3.9 mi
III
475 mi away
7 - West Table to Sheep Gulch (Alpine Canyon)
7.9 mi
I(II)
476 mi away
2 - Jackson Lake to Moose (Teton National Park)
26.0 mi
III+(V)
477 mi away
Headwaters to Heart River
16.3 mi
I-III
482 mi away
5 - South Park Bridge to Astoria Bridge
8.6 mi
I-III
482 mi away
6 - Astoria Bridge to West Table
9.3 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
**Location & Facilities**
Hells Gate State Park, located 4 miles south of Lewiston on Snake River Avenue, offers a well-developed public boat launch within the Lower Granite Lake area. The facility features a 6-lane boat ramp, Hells Gate Marina with over 100 slips, convenient parking, restrooms, and a on-site store. This makes it an easily accessible launch point for paddlers and boaters in the Lewiston area.
**Water Conditions**
The Snake River at this location is a major river system with significant flow—averaging nearly 50,000 cubic feet per second with average velocities around 11 feet per second. The river has an average gradient of 15.8 feet per mile, indicating moderate current that paddlers should respect. Given the Snake River's size and powerful flow characteristics, this site is best suited for experienced paddlers and boaters familiar with river conditions. The public boat launch accommodates various watercraft, from kayaks and canoes to motorized boats.
**Access**
From US 12 in Lewiston, take Snake River Avenue south (upriver) toward Hells Gate State Park at 5100 Hells Gate Road. The area also provides access to nearby interpretive centers and parks, making it a good hub for exploring the lower Snake River region.
Hells Gate State Park, located 4 miles south of Lewiston on Snake River Avenue, offers a well-developed public boat launch within the Lower Granite Lake area. The facility features a 6-lane boat ramp, Hells Gate Marina with over 100 slips, convenient parking, restrooms, and a on-site store. This makes it an easily accessible launch point for paddlers and boaters in the Lewiston area.
**Water Conditions**
The Snake River at this location is a major river system with significant flow—averaging nearly 50,000 cubic feet per second with average velocities around 11 feet per second. The river has an average gradient of 15.8 feet per mile, indicating moderate current that paddlers should respect. Given the Snake River's size and powerful flow characteristics, this site is best suited for experienced paddlers and boaters familiar with river conditions. The public boat launch accommodates various watercraft, from kayaks and canoes to motorized boats.
**Access**
From US 12 in Lewiston, take Snake River Avenue south (upriver) toward Hells Gate State Park at 5100 Hells Gate Road. The area also provides access to nearby interpretive centers and parks, making it a good hub for exploring the lower Snake River region.
Federal Facility Information
Free Access
This recreation area is part of Lower Granite Lake
Nearby Recreation Areas
Reservoir A
Located within
Nearby Boat Facilities
Hells Canyon - Snake River (Powerboat)
On-site