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Hells Canyon Reservoir

Riggins, Idaho — Adams County.

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2,301Surface acres (whole lake)
4Public access sites

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID {5C645705-693F-4587-AFED-E11ABC743E08}); shared with Oregon, acreage is the whole lake.

Location & fast facts

Where Hells Canyon Reservoir is in Idaho

The red circle marks Hells Canyon Reservoir.

Fast facts

About Hells Canyon Reservoir

  • County: Adams
  • Nearest city: Riggins (about 19.7 mi from the lake)
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Shared with: Oregon. The surface acreage shown is the whole lake; about 51% of the mapped water is in Idaho.
  • Distance: about 107 mi from Boise and 178 mi from Coeur d'Alene, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline (Idaho: incorporated places touching the lake, otherwise the nearest one).

Fishing in Idaho

Official IDFG pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Boating. 4 public trailer launches listed (see access)
  • Camping. 68 campgrounds within 15 mi, 8 on the shore (list)

Watch for

  • Boat traffic. A public trailer launch means motorboats share the water; expect more traffic on summer weekends.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Lake map

Hells Canyon Reservoir shoreline, boat launches & beaches

Copperfield Park (campground)Hells Canyon Park (campground)Hells Canyon Park (campground)Big Bar Camping Area (campground)Copper Creek Campground (campground)Airstrip Campground (campground)Bob Creek Campground (campground)Westfall Campground (campground)Boat ramp (Boat launch)1Boat ramp (Boat launch)2Bob Creek Boat Launch (Boat launch)3Copperfield Boat Ramp (Boat launch)41 mileN

Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.

Boat launch Campground
  1. 1Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  2. 2Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  3. 3Bob Creek Boat Launch
    Boat launch
  4. 4Copperfield Boat Ramp
    Boat launch

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID {5C645705-693F-4587-AFED-E11ABC743E08}), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near Hells Canyon Reservoir

We found 68 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Hells Canyon Reservoir, 22 of them within 5 miles. 8 are right on the shore. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

14 more within 15 miles

All campgrounds & RV parks in Idaho

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: Recreation.gov (RIDB) · OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Nearest airports

The closest airport with scheduled passenger flights to Hells Canyon Reservoir, plus larger airports within about 150 miles:

Compare car rentals near this lake

Car rental links go to our partner Discover Cars; LakeRipple may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

Airports with scheduled airline service from OurAirports (large and medium airports); larger airports are FAA large, medium and small hubs by FAA CY2025 enplanements ("major airport" = FAA large hub). Distances are straight-line from the lake's center, not driving distance; road routes are longer.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (45.1063, -116.7735). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Hells Canyon Reservoir. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at Hells Canyon Reservoir

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in MT (America/Boise), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Boat launches & access sites

    4 public access sites listed, 4 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.

    SiteTownOwnerTypeParkingFeeUsesMap
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating45.1295, -116.7402
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating45.0470, -116.8130
    Bob Creek Boat Launch——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating45.0002, -116.8477
    Copperfield Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating44.9842, -116.8586

    OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL)

    Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about Hells Canyon Reservoir

    How big is Hells Canyon Reservoir?

    Hells Canyon Reservoir covers about 2,301 acres in Riggins, Idaho (Adams County).

    Is there a public boat launch on Hells Canyon Reservoir?

    Yes. 4 public trailer launches are listed: Boat ramp, Bob Creek Boat Launch and Boat ramp. Check posted fees and parking rules.

    Are there campgrounds near Hells Canyon Reservoir?

    Yes. We list 68 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 22 of them within 5 miles.

    What towns are on Hells Canyon Reservoir?

    Hells Canyon Reservoir touches Riggins in Adams County, Idaho.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know Hells Canyon Reservoir? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Idaho lakes & ponds · All waters in Riggins