Hells Gate State Park & Clearwater River

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Idaho Side of Hells Canyon, Looking to the Oregon Side
Idaho Side of Hells Canyon, Looking to the Oregon Side - Rickmouser45, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Today’s Forecast:

☀
84°F
Current Temperature
Clear
Station: KLWS
Observed at: 3:56 pm
Wind: 5 mph | Humidity: 29%
⚠️
Air Quality Alert
Air Quality Alert issued July 26 at 12:54PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA (Expires: July 27, 2026 4:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies: Washington Department of Ecology Colville Confederated Tribes Environmental Protection Agency An Air Quality Alert has been issued for all of Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties through Monday at 11 am, due to current and expected wildfire smoke from regional fires. Areas to the north and northeast of active and emerging fires in Washington and Oregon could reach Unhealthy levels of particulate matter (PM2.5). When air quality is unhealthy, everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air.
⚠️
Air Quality Alert
Air Quality Alert issued July 24 at 4:06PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA (Expires: July 27, 2026 1:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies: Washington Department of Ecology Colville Confederated Tribes Environmental Protection Agency An Air Quality Alert has been issued for all of Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties through Monday at 11 am, due to current and expected wildfire smoke from regional fires. Areas to the north and northeast of active and emerging fires in Washington and Oregon could reach Unhealthy levels of particulate matter (PM2.5). When air quality is unhealthy, everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air.
⚠️
Air Quality Alert
Air Quality Alert issued July 24 at 3:16PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA (Expires: July 27, 2026 1:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies: Washington Department of Ecology Colville Confederated Tribes Environmental Protection Agency An Air Quality Alert has been issued for all of Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties through Monday at 11 am, due to current and expected wildfire smoke from regional fires. Areas to the north and northeast of active and emerging fires in Washington and Oregon could reach Unhealthy levels of particulate matter (PM2.5). When air quality is unhealthy, everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air.
⚠️
Air Quality Alert
Air Quality Alert issued July 24 at 10:53AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA (Expires: July 27, 2026 1:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies: Washington Department of Ecology Colville Confederated Tribes An Air Quality Alert has been issued for all of Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties through Monday at 11 am, due to current and expected wildfire smoke from regional fires. Areas to the north and northeast of active and emerging fires in Washington and Oregon could reach Unhealthy levels of particulate matter (PM2.5). When air quality is unhealthy, everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air.
This Afternoon:Haze and areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 93. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight:Patchy smoke before 7pm, then haze and areas of smoke. Mostly clear. Low around 61, with temperatures rising to around 63 overnight. West wind 0 to 9 mph.
Monday:Patchy smoke. Sunny, with a high near 93. West wind 0 to 9 mph.

Today’s Report:

🛶 Paddling

Use Caution
  46 /100

Use Caution for paddling. High near 92°F. Low rain risk (1%). Breezy winds (10 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast.

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Smoke: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Use Caution 46/100
Use Caution for paddling. High near 93°F. Light wind (9 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast.

🚲 Biking

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for biking. High near 92°F. Low rain risk (1%). Light wind (10 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (92°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Smoke: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 12/100
Not Recommended for biking. High near 93°F. Light wind (9 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (93°F).

⛺ Camping

Use Caution
  44 /100

Use Caution for camping. High near 92°F. Low rain risk (1%). Light wind (10 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast.

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Smoke: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Use Caution 44/100
Use Caution for camping. High near 93°F. Light wind (9 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast.

🎪 Outdoor Events / Activities

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for outdoor events / activities. High near 92°F. Low rain risk (1%). Light wind (10 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (92°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Smoke: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 12/100
Not Recommended for outdoor events / activities. High near 93°F. Light wind (9 mph). Smoke or haze in forecast. Temperatures outside comfort limits (93°F).

About Hells Gate State Park & Clearwater River

Hells Gate State Park & Clearwater River is an Idaho destination for riverfront camping, paddling, cycling, parks, and events around the Lewiston confluence.

Make the Most of a Hells Gate State Park & Clearwater River 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 Gate State Park & Clearwater River

  • 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:

  • Lewiston
  • Clarkston
  • Snake River
  • Clearwater River
  • Hells Canyon gateway

Plan Around the Conditions

Choose the safest version of a Hells Gate State Park & Clearwater River day by matching the activity to current wind, precipitation, temperature, smoke, water or snow conditions, access, and daylight.

7-Day Forecast for Hells Gate State Park & Clearwater River

☀
84°F
Current Temperature
Clear
Station: KLWS
Observed at: 3:56 pm
Wind: 5 mph | Humidity: 29%
Sun 🌫
93° 61°
1%
Mon 🌫
93° 61°
0%
Tue ☀
92° 61°
0%
Wed ☀
92° 61°
1%
Thu ☀
96° 63°
3%
Fri ☀
98° 63°
0%
Sat ☀
93° 60°
0%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

93° Sun 93° Mon 92° Tue 92° Wed 96° Thu 98° Fri 93° Sat

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

61° Sun 61° Mon 61° Tue 61° Wed 63° Thu 63° Fri 60° Sat

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 12 Sun 12 Mon 20 Tue 20 Wed 12 Thu 12 Fri 12 Sat
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: July 26, 2026 4:31 pm CDT

Hells Gate State Park & Clearwater River Weather by Season

Winter

Winter at Hells Gate State Park & Clearwater River 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.