US Northwest Inland Northwest- Hells Canyon to Dug Bar

[PapaDave]

Hells Canyon with camping along the Imnaha River and the Snake River at Dug Bar

View Rally Point

 

[PapaDave]

Hi everyone

This info is on the rally point but here it is again.

Hells Canyon to Dug Bar
March 27-29th, 2026

We are headed to Hells Canyon in search of the Snake river down at Dug Bar. This is the only northern end drivable access point to the Snake River. Dug Bar is a historical site along the Snake River where Chief Joseph's band of the Nez Perce crossed in 1877 during their forced relocation. Down in the canyon Saturday evening is usually warmer and you can even swim if you can handle the water temps!

Saturday driving will have rocky sections, one shelf road, but overall this is basic off road driving. No sliders or skid plates required, but always good. You will definitely want to air down for comfort and less wear and tear on your vehicles.

Departure- 8am- Cracker Barrel loop, on the road in front of the building
Lunch at Wallowa Lake visitors lot
Friday Night camp- along the Imnaha River

Saturday Night Camp- Dug Bar
Sunday departure- flexible
Sunday afternoon lunch at Terminal Gravity Brewery in Joseph OR- optional

Some photos of the area, including a bush plane at Dug Bar

 

[PapaDave]

Here is the GPX file to download and be sure to download offline maps for your device as well. You MUST also add rear dust lights (amber) as high as you can on the rear of your vehicle. If you have questions please ask!

Upper amber example


GPX viewer

 

[Gbar2025]

Hi everyone

This info is on the rally point but here it is again.

Hells Canyon to Dug Bar
March 27-29th, 2026

We are headed to Hells Canyon in search of the Snake river down at Dug Bar. This is the only northern end drivable access point to the Snake River. Dug Bar is a historical site along the Snake River where Chief Joseph's band of the Nez Perce crossed in 1877 during their forced relocation. Down in the canyon Saturday evening is usually warmer and you can even swim if you can handle the water temps!

Saturday driving will have rocky sections, one shelf road, but overall this is basic off road driving. No sliders or skid plates required, but always good. You will definitely want to air down for comfort and less wear and tear on your vehicles.

Departure- 8am- Cracker Barrel loop, on the road in front of the building
Lunch at Wallowa Lake visitors lot
Friday Night camp- along the Imnaha River

Saturday Night Camp- Dug Bar
Sunday departure- flexible
Sunday afternoon lunch at Terminal Gravity Brewery in Joseph OR- optional

Some photos of the area, including a bush plane at Dug BarView attachment 298040View attachment 298041View attachment 298042View attachment 298043View attachment 298044

Can’t wait !

 

[PapaDave]

This is a fun trip! I wanna see somebody go swimming in the snake river!

 

[Gbar2025]

This is a fun trip! I wanna see somebody go swimming in the snake river!

You think a Subaru crosstrex can do this trip?

 

[PapaDave]

You think a Subaru crosstrex can do this trip?

I will say most likely. I would say it would need to have good tires with good tread in case anything is damp or wet and we have a switchback to climb up that’s muddy. I would worry a little bit about mudflaps and then recovery points. So if we had to tow the vehicle up or down the mountain and sections, would there be something to attach to. Is this your vehicle or someone else’s?

Most of the road is a very easy dirt road, but the final drop coming down to Doug bar by the snake River has a rocky shelf Road that we come down

 

[Gbar2025]

You think a Subaru crosstrex can do this trip?

I will say most likely. I would say it would need to have good tires with good tread in case anything is damp or wet and we have a switchback to climb up that’s muddy. I would worry a little bit about mudflaps and then recovery points. So if we had to tow the vehicle up or down the mountain and sections, would there be something to attach to. Is this your vehicle or someone else’s?

Most of the road is a very easy dirt road, but the final drop coming down to Doug bar by the snake River has a rocky shelf Road that we come down

It’s my rig , I have a buddy wanting to join us but he doesn’t have a rig , I think he is gonna use my GMC pick up truck. It’s lifted and 4x4 .

 

[RichardJeep]

Thanks all for a nice trip. Was going to stay home with a bunch of work, but glad I got to see you all again and camp. Might head out early as duties are on my mind. Enjoy the day