There’s something so wonderfully simple about stopping to take in your surroundings from atop a scenic perch; it’s a grounding and life-affirming experience that really puts you in the here and now. And while there are numerous places for taking in the views, one of our favorite scenic overlooks is a little-known vista in the far-east corner of Oregon: the Hells Canyon Overlook.
Would you believe that a place this lovely was called Hells Canyon?
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Well, it is! This is Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans both Oregon and Idaho and encompasses more than 215,000 acres of rugged wilderness.
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Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America, plunging 8,000 vertical feet in its deepest areas. It’s truly a place of immense beauty and commanding grandeur.
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Our favorite way to enjoy this ironically named place is the eponymous Hells Canyon Overlook in Oregon. The overlook is located at NF-490, Imnaha, OR, 97842, and it’s absolutely worth the effort to visit.
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You’ll find it just off the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, a 218-mile route that journeys straight through this resplendent region.
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This easily accessed overlook provides a dramatic panorama of Hells Canyon and the Seven Devils Mountains, and the views from it are almost too beautiful for words. Photos simply don’t do it justice.
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Truly, have you ever seen anything so sublime? There are no words.
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Of course, this scenic overlook is also a wonderful impromptu detour, too. In our opinion, these spontaneous stops are often the most rewarding!
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So whether you’ve mapped out a road trip to this overlook, or simply decide on a scenic pit stop when traveling through eastern Oregon, the views from the Hells Canyon Scenic Overlook are sure to leave you speechless.
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Have you been to the Hells Canyon Overlook in eastern Oregon before? It’s truly a place of sublime beauty!
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For a deeper dive into this wondrous expanse in eastern Oregon, here’s a scenic drive sure to make you swoon!
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Address: Hells Canyon Overlook, NF-490, Imnaha, OR 97842, USA
