Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, ID

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Hells Canyon National Recreation Area landscape
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area landscape. Image by Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

Today’s Forecast:

☀
52°F
High: 55° | Low: 41°
Current Temperature
Clear
Station: KMYL
Observed at: 8:50 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 5 mph | Humidity: 32%
Tonight:Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
Sunday:Cloudy, with a high near 55. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night:Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind around 7 mph.
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Today’s Report:

🛶 Paddling

Not Recommended
  23 /100

Not Recommended for paddling. High near 55°F. Low rain risk (8%). Temperatures outside comfort limits (55°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 23/100
Not Recommended for paddling. High near 56°F. Light wind (8 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (56°F).

⛺ Camping

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for camping. High near 55°F. Low rain risk (8%).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for camping. High near 56°F. Light wind (8 mph).

🥾 Hiking

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for hiking. High near 55°F. Low rain risk (8%).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for hiking. High near 56°F. Light wind (8 mph).

🎪 Outdoor Events / Activities

Good
  81 /100

Good for outdoor events / activities. High near 55°F. Low rain risk (8%).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 83/100
Good for outdoor events / activities. High near 56°F. Light wind (8 mph).

About Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is an Idaho destination for a major national recreation destination with river flow, canyon heat, remote access, wildfire smoke, elevation, and camping concerns.

Make the Most of a Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Day

Match the route, launch, facility, or turnaround time to wind, precipitation, temperature, smoke, water, snow, road access, and daylight. Keep a shorter or more sheltered backup ready.

Weather Tips for Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

  • Check official access notices, alerts, road or trail conditions, fire restrictions, and local forecasts before leaving.
  • Check river flow, reservoir wind, cold-water conditions, waves, lightning, and verified local ice reports before water plans; no forecast alone proves that ice is safe.
  • Carry layers, water, navigation, sun protection, and seasonal traction or flotation appropriate to the activity.
  • Allow extra time for remote roads, mountain passes, wildfire smoke, spring runoff, and limited winter daylight.

Nearby Towns and Areas

This page can also be useful when planning outdoor time near:

  • Riggins
  • White Bird
  • Pittsburg Landing
  • Seven Devils Mountains
  • Snake River
  • Hells Canyon Dam
  • Nez Perce National Forest

Plan Around the Conditions

Choose the safest version of a Hells Canyon National Recreation Area day by matching the activity to current wind, precipitation, temperature, smoke, water or snow conditions, access, and daylight.

7-Day Forecast for Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

☀
52°F
High: 55° | Low: 41°
Current Temperature
Clear
Station: KMYL
Observed at: 8:50 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 5 mph | Humidity: 32%
Sun ☁
55° 43°
7%
Mon ☀
56° 43°
0%
Tue ☀
59° 45°
0%
Wed ☀
59° 44°
1%
Thu ☀
60° 46°
1%
Fri ⛅
58° 44°
4%
Sat ☀
59° --°
0%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

55° Sun 56° Mon 59° Tue 59° Wed 60° Thu 58° Fri 59° Sat

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

43° Sun 43° Mon 45° Tue 44° Wed 46° Thu 44° Fri 50° Sat

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 100 Sun 100 Mon 100 Tue 100 Wed 100 Thu 100 Fri 100 Sat
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: September 27, 2026 12:12 am CDT

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Weather by Season

Winter

Winter at Hells Canyon National Recreation Area can bring snow, ice, wind, short daylight, and rapidly changing road or trail access.

Spring

Spring brings freeze-thaw mud, snowmelt, high rivers, cold water, and lingering mountain snow. Lower routes usually open well before high passes and backcountry trailheads.

Summer

Summer usually offers the broadest access, but dry heat, thunderstorms, lightning, wildfire smoke, fire restrictions, reservoir wind, and cold mountain water can alter plans.

Fall

Fall brings cooler air, shorter daylight, hunting-season awareness, and early snow at elevation. Confirm seasonal services and allow extra travel time on remote roads.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Annual average temperature: around 51–57°F, using the relevant local and elevation context.
  • Annual snowfall: usually 5–20 inches at river level, while high rims receive much more.
  • Warmest months: July and August are normally warmest.
  • Coolest months: December and January are typically coolest.
  • Wettest season: winter and spring usually provide the greatest mountain precipitation, with local variation.
  • Driest season: midsummer is generally driest, despite isolated thunderstorms.
  • Best outdoor window: June through October for warm-season access, with midwinter best at established winter destinations.