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Hells Gate
Overview
Hells Gate State Park serves as a lush oasis on the banks of the Snake River, situated at the southern edge of Lewiston. It is famously known as the gateway to Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. The park offers a unique blend of manicured green lawns and wild geological history, making it a favorite for those transitioning between urban comforts and rugged wilderness exploration. It provides a peaceful setting where the river's calm flow sets a relaxing pace for any RV stay.
Location & Surroundings
The park is nestled along the Snake River, where ancient basalt cliffs rise dramatically from the water's edge. Because Lewiston sits at a lower elevation than the surrounding Idaho plateaus, the area enjoys a mild climate that often extends the camping season well into the autumn. Visitors can enjoy the striking juxtaposition of the rolling river current against the backdrop of the steep canyon walls that define this iconic section of the Idaho-Washington border.
Amenities & Park Features
RVers will find well-maintained sites that include full hookup options and spacious grassy areas to ensure a comfortable stay. The park features paved pads suitable for larger rigs, reliable dump stations, and clean restroom facilities with hot showers. Outdoor recreation is central to the experience, offering a paved multi-use trail system for biking, a popular disc golf course, and a dedicated swimming beach to cool off during the warm Idaho summers.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
A primary draw is the jet boat tours that depart directly from the park’s marina, whisking passengers into the heart of the canyon. On-site, the Lewis and Clark Discovery Center provides fascinating historical exhibits and an indoor theater for those looking to learn about the Corps of Discovery. For those who enjoy active travel, the trails offer over 20 miles of paths, while the river provides excellent opportunities for steelhead and salmon fishing.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for outdoor adventurers looking to explore the river's depths or the surrounding trails without sacrificing modern conveniences. It appeals strongly to history buffs retracing the steps of early explorers and families who appreciate the safety and open space of a state park. If you prefer a scenic, riverfront basecamp that balances natural beauty with easy access to Lewiston’s local shops and services, this park is an excellent choice.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Nelida Safrit
The state park is beautiful and has a lot to offer. Sites are spacious and have electric and water. There’s a bathhouse for tent campers. The beach area is beautiful! Dogs are not allowed on beach
Joakim Lewin
We hiked to the basalt rock formation and that was a beautiful and fantastic experience. For some strange reason it is not marked on the State Park map and it was unnecessarily difficult to find the way. The hike was 7 km and took us about 2 hours.
Justin Brown
Clean, well maintained campground on the river. Lots of wildlife and trails to walk. River access at the park as well. Would stay again.
Kim Broesch
We love this close to home campground. This time we were in the cottonwood loop with no services. There is however a shower house and restrooms. There are 2 shower stalls, however one of the showers wasn't working (they did get it fixed just before we left). The playground is a good size and right next to the beach. It's a short walk from the camps to the beach regardless of which loop you stay in. We had deer come into our camp 3 times while there, saw bunnies and a turkey!
Angela Fleck
This was a great park. There was plenty of space for everyone, and the sites each had spacious grassy areas. There are lots of beautiful deciduous trees and plenty of trails for hiking. We enjoyed the waterfront trail and the scenic elevated trails accessible from the park. We walked down to the interpretive center and enjoyed the 30-minute film about Lewis and Clark. They even let us bring our dog in on a leash. They also had little doggy treats for her. There was a very nice discuss golf course for those who enjoy the sport. We had full hookups for our RV and utilized one of the pull through sites. The only complaint with this park is that it is on the beach Snake River, but there are no sites that have a good view of the river! There is so much brush that you Woodbridge even know you were on the river from your RV. Also, they are all back in only sites. So even if we got one of the sites that would provide a peek from the height of our front window, it wasn't allowed. It's a beautiful park, and we would definitely go there again if in the area. It's just interesting that it wasn't laid out to enjoy the beauty of the river from THE RV.
Steve Burress
Wonderful park right on the river. Trails galore, shaded spaces. Power and water with a dump station. We could only stay a couple of days due to other commitments. Would definitely recommend it, and we will be back. Did I mention that wildlife was everywhere? Turkeys seemed like hundreds, lots and lots of deer. Squirrels everywhere, rabbits and an occasional skunk. Always look outside before opening the door. My wife just opened the door one morning to go out with the dog. A Doe and her fawn were sleeping next to our steps! Not sure who was surprised the most!
Chloe Monet
There is lots to do here! I did not experience all that there is as we spent our day at Silverwood, which is 2.5 hours away. But this park is beautiful, there is so much wildlife to see as well. I was a little surprised how many people there were camping and there is NO privacy, but otherwise, a beautiful and fun place to visit
Kathryn Elder
Thoroughly enjoyed our camping trip here to Hell's Gate State Park. We came towards the end of June, so the weather was nice. No rain while we were here. It did get in the 90's several days, but the nearby river gave us the chance to stay cool. Park is well maintained. Abundant wildlife all over the park. Many walking trails as well as hiking trails made for plenty of in-park activities. Next time we will bring our discs so we can take advantage of the disc golf course in the park.
A Nelson (DZ Dog Mom)
We really enjoyed hells gate state park. The roads to the park and inside the park are completely paved, so its very easy to drive. The layout of the loops was also easy to drive and access your spot, we pull a 35 ft fifthwheel and didn't have any trouble maneuvering it. The sites themselves have lots of room to spread out so it did not feel cramped. This is a popular park so if you want peace and quiet know what time of year it is and go during the quieter seasons. This is an excellent family park with a nice paved biking/walking trail so my 2 yo and 4 yo had an easy time biking as well as playing on the little swim beach. The park itself was very clean when we visited, the bathrooms were clean as well as the showers. It seemed like most campers did a good job cleaning up as well. Only complaint? Don't show up early. The staff was very rude at check in, and even if your site is empty won't let you check in early. So despite kiddos needing naps, temps being in the hundreds, and having traveled hours, you'll have to entertain yourself with no hope of cooling down your trailer until precisely 2pm.