The name Hells Canyon possibly dates to 1895 when a cargo ship pilot named Haller made a trip down the Snake River rapids. The name may have come from an expletive Mr. Haller used as he tried to pilot the boat. Or, it may be a mispronunciation of the phrase, "Haller's Canyon." Whatever the circumstances, the name, Hells Canyon stuck.

Today, the Hells Canyon area is one of most renowned recreational areas in the West. Numerous adventures and breath-taking views await visitors of all ages. At Idaho Power, our dedication to preserving the quality of the Hells Canyon area while offering reliable energy resources is the same as it was when our first hydroelectric project in the area, Brownlee Dam, was completed in 1959.

Idaho Power owns and maintains four parks in the Hells Canyon Complex:

• Hells Canyon
• Copperfield
• McCormick
• Woodhead

For information on park capacity call 541-785-7209.

Daly Creek and Other Hells Canyon Area Property

Learn more about our habitat mitigation properties—eventually totaling 24,000 acres.

Additional Information

The following Web sites offer helpful information on the Hells Canyon area:

• Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
• Bureau of Land Management Vale District
• Baker County Parks
• Hells Canyon Scenic Byway

Visit the Idaho Power Parks and Recreation section for information about our other parks and recreational facilities.