Hells Canyon 50 Year Celebration with Greater Hells Canyon Council

Come join us and celebrate the 51st anniversary of Hells Canyon Recreation Area! Hang tight, we are working on a 2026 launch!

OVERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS

MEETING LOCATION

Overview

Join us for a special float trip celebrating the 51st anniversary of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area! Last year Winding Waters and the Greater Hells Canyon Council came together to celebrate 50 years of Hells Canyon and we loved it so much we hope to keep celebrating HCNRA's birthday year after year!

This trip will include 4 days of thrilling whitewater as well as a jet-out down the Snake River after lunch on the fourth day. Along the way, we’ll take a deep dive into the complex human and natural history of the area, including the powerful stories of those who fought to stop the damming of North America’s deepest canyon. Representatives, senators, and activists traveled down Hells Canyon by raft and jetboat when the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area was still just a dream – now, 50 years later, it seemed only fitting to invite you to join us as we experience and commemorate the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area by running the river similarly to all those who assisted in its preservation.

Geologist Ellen Morris Bishop will be joining us on this trip. Ellen is the author of numerous books including "In Search of Ancient Oregon." Ellen has been the expert on many WWRE geology trips in the past and we are always excited to have her! Ellen's knowledge and experience in and of Hells Canyon is unmatched.

This trip is in partnership with Greater Hells Canyon Council.

Some things you can expect from this trip are:

A deeper appreciation and understanding of the geology of Hells Canyon
Days 1-3 on the river will be experienced on rafts
Day 4 Jet out down the river after lunch on the 4th day

Highlights

Geologist Ellen Morris Bishop
Deepest River Canyon in North America
Breathtaking scenery and wildlife viewing
Class II, III & IV Rapids
Nez Perce & Homestead cultural sites
Outstanding professional guide service
Gourmet menu includes locally raised and grown ingredients
All Rafting Equipment, Cots, Pads and tents provided

Meeting Location

Winding Waters River Expeditions

204 E Wallowa Ave, Joseph, OR 97846, USA

The WWRE Boathouse is the meeting place for our pre-trip meeting the night before your launch at 6PM (PST). Additionally, the morning of your launch, you will leave your vehicle at the boathouse and be shuttled to the river launch point.

Policies & Agreements

Cancellation Policy - Multi Day Trips

Cancellation Policy: Your reservation will be confirmed after we receive a deposit of 50% of your total trip cost. Your trip balance will be due 60 days prior to your launch date. If you find it necessary to cancel your trip, you should notify Winding Waters River Expeditions in writing or by e-mail immediately. If written cancellation is received (call to verify) before the final balance is due, you will be given a refund less the amount of the deposit. Again, deposits are non-refundable. If cancellations are made on or after the final due date, no money will be refunded. Please understand that once you’ve signed up, we lose the right to sell your reserved space to other individuals or groups. Therefore, we regret that we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies.

Travel Protection: In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we recommend purchasing travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. One company we recommend is Travelex, for more information visit www.travelexinsurance.com or contact Travelex Insurance 800-228-9792.

Winding Waters River Expeditions reserves the right, either prior to or after departure, in its good-faith discretion and in circumstances that warrant it, to change any trip itinerary. This includes the possibility of moving to a different river or river segment due to extreme water conditions, forest fires, road closures and/or acts of God.