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Hells
Canyon
Scenic Drives
Travelers driving FR
517 from Riggins, ID to Heavens Gates Overlook also see grand views of
the Seven Devils Mountains.
Hells Canyon National
Recreation Area’s most popular drive is the Byway, an exhilarating
panorama of extremes ranging from lush farmland and quaint towns to
jaw-dropping vistas that seem to stretch forever. The 225-mile drive
begins at La Grande, the intersection of Highways 84 and 82. Heading
east on Highway 82, the byway meanders through the Wallowa Valley, a
smattering of small towns that have existed since the late 1800s. At
Highway 39 it enters the NRA at Salt Creek Summit, passing over Imnaha
River and descending to Virtue Flat before concluding at Baker City.
Visitors can take Highway 84 north to return to where they started.
Other scenic drives
include:
Deer Creek Road, or
Forest Road 493(take Idaho Highway 95 south from Whitebird to marker
222) on the northeast corner of the NRA, leads to Pittsburg Landing, a
popular access point for the Snake River.
FR 39 and FR 3965
will take you to the breathtaking vistas of Hells Canyon Overlook, a
5,400 overlook of. Seven Devils Mountains, and Hells Canyon.
FR 46, which cuts
through the northwest corner of the scenic area, leads to Buckhorn
Lookout and several remote camping areas, from the town of Enterprise
(41 miles). Stopping points along this road provide spectacular views of
the Wallowa Canyon and Hells Canyon.
FR 517 leads to
Heavens Gates Overlook, arguably the best viewpoint for Hells Canyon,
from the Idaho town of Riggins. The steep and winding road takes several
hours to ascend.
Back roads are best
traversed by 4x4, but most can be accessed by high-clearance cars during
good summer weather (June-October). Vehicles towing trailers should be
cautious when traversing back roads. Some backroads are narrow and
involve steep, unprotected cliff areas. Roads at higher elevations may
be icy or difficult during weather. |
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