Hells Canyon's Living History: Exploring Nature, Culture, and a Legacy of Conservation

Join Greater Hells Canyon Council and beloved, local geologist Ellen Morris Bishop for a 4-day float through Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge. August 3rd-6th 2026

OVERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS

MEETING LOCATION

Overview

Join Greater Hells Canyon Council and beloved, local geologist Ellen Morris Bishop for a 4-day float through one of the most remote and awe-inspiring places in the Northwest: Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge. August 3rd-6th 2026

Ellen Morris Bishop brings the canyon’s ancient rock layers to life in a way that’s accessible, engaging, and unforgettable, no geology degree required! Along the way, we’ll explore pictograph and petroglyph sites, visit old homesteads, and hike into the canyons that hold thousands of years of fascinating human and natural history.

This trip is about more than just scenery; it’s also a journey through the canyon’s conservation legacy. We’ll visit the sites of proposed dams that were never built, and reflect on the people-powered movement that helped protect this wild river corridor from development. GHCC (then Hells Canyon Preservation Council) was at the heart of that fight and carries that legacy forward today.

You’ll spend the first three days in paddle rafts navigating exciting Class II–IV rapids, stopping for interpretive talks, short hikes, and incredible meals featuring locally sourced ingredients. On Day 4, we’ll enjoy a relaxed morning on the water before jet boating downriver after lunch to our take-out point.

Whether you’re coming for the geology, the adventure, the history, or the sense of place, this is a trip you’ll never forget.

To learn more about Greater Hells Canyon Council, visit hellscanyon.org

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.