Snake River National Recreation Trail landscape

Photo: Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Snake River National Recreation Trail

~3 days · 31.1 mi · hard · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance31.1 mi
Days out3
Elevation gain6,955 ft
Gain / mile224 ft
High point1,772 ft

What the Snake River National Recreation Trail is known for

This trail follows the Idaho side of the Snake River through Hells Canyon, the deepest river canyon in North America, for about 31 miles point-to-point below Hells Canyon Dam. Low-elevation canyon terrain that is very hot in midsummer; typically 2-4 days.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Snake River National Recreation Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 3,842 ft to 5,351 ft over 31.1 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 11.9 mi · 38%
  • Downhill 14.7 mi · 48%
  • Flat 4.3 mi · 14%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Snake River National Recreation Trail take?

Most backpackers hike the Snake River National Recreation Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 31.1 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Snake River National Recreation Trail?

The Snake River National Recreation Trail climbs roughly 6,955 ft total — about 224 ft per mile, topping out near 1,772 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

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