RIGGINS BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Edge of the Deepest Canyon: A Jet‑Boat Day Through Hells Canyon
A six‑hour Snake River jet‑boat run from Pittsburg Landing (check‑in in Riggins) that pairs wildlife viewing, historic sites, and a riverside lunch with swimming.
Edge of the Deepest Canyon: A Jet‑Boat Day Through Hells Canyon.
A Jet Boat Tour on the Snake River threads the bottom of Hells Canyon — North America’s deepest canyon — offering a compact, high‑contrast day of high‑speed river travel, wildlife search and stops at frontier sites and Nez Perce pictographs, capped by a riverside lunch and a chance to swim.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Bighorn sheep on canyon walls
Once underway the tour heads upriver to search for Bighorn Sheep that inhabit Hells Canyon — prime photo opportunities from the safety of a USCG‑certified jet boat.
Ranch houses, cabins and pictographs
The trip stops at historic sites including Kirkwood Ranch and Museum, Sheep Creek Cabin and Nez Perce Indian pictographs, giving a condensed history of human use along the Snake River.
Lunch, swims and variable reaches upriver
A riverside deli‑style lunch is included, with time to swim in calm pools; the boat will continue upriver as far as Rush Creek, Granite Creek or Hells Canyon Dam when water levels permit.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
The outing unfolds as a six‑hour river day: check‑in at the Riggins office, a morning launch from Pittsburg Landing, an upriver run punctuated by wildlife watches and historic stops, a relaxed riverside lunch with swimming, then a return trip to the launch site.
THE WILDLIFE
Bighorn sheep on canyon walls
Once underway the tour heads upriver to search for Bighorn Sheep that inhabit Hells Canyon — prime photo opportunities from the safety of a USCG‑certified jet boat.
THE HISTORY
Ranch houses, cabins and pictographs
The trip stops at historic sites including Kirkwood Ranch and Museum, Sheep Creek Cabin and Nez Perce Indian pictographs, giving a condensed history of human use along the Snake River.
THE RIVER
Lunch, swims and variable reaches upriver
A riverside deli‑style lunch is included, with time to swim in calm pools; the boat will continue upriver as far as Rush Creek, Granite Creek or Hells Canyon Dam when water levels permit.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and when to rethink it.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Check in at the River Adventures office in Riggins at 8:00 a.m.; the jet boats launch from Pittsburg Landing at 10:00 a.m. The advertised trip runs approximately 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (six hours). Pittsburg Landing is about 1.5 hours’ drive from Riggins; River Adventures provides directions.
Wear comfortable clothing such as shorts and swimsuits in warm weather; bring a camera, sunscreen, lip balm and sunglasses.
A deli‑style lunch (sub sandwich, chips, cookie) and drinks are included; the schedule allows time for swimming at the lunch stop.
Space is limited and reservations are required. Rates listed are Adult $215 + tax and Kids $118 + tax. An optional shuttle service is available for $25 per person.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where do we check in and where does the boat launch?
Guests check in at the River Adventures office in Riggins at 8:00 a.m.; boats launch from Pittsburg Landing at about 10:00 a.m.
How long is the trip?
The advertised river day runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., a six‑hour outing (check‑in at 8:00 a.m.).
Is lunch provided and can we swim?
Yes. Lunch and drinks are included (deli‑style sub, chips, cookie) and the itinerary includes a riverside stop with time to swim.
How much does the tour cost and are there discounts for kids?
Adult rate is $215 + tax; kids rate is $118 + tax.
Is transportation available to the launch site?
An optional shuttle service to Pittsburg Landing is available for $25 per person.