HCR Difference

HCR (Hells Canyon Raft) is not your typical river company. With over 30 years’ experience, we constantly set the high water mark for river trips in the west. With our attention to detail, highly trained guides, top of the line equipment, you can expect the trip of a lifetime here’s why:

Experience Counts

Hells Canyon Raft has been operated by the Armacost Family since 1982 in the Hells Canyon Region.  We are not a large impersonal watered down diversified, company that changes guides yearly.  The HCR family is a tight knit unit that provides quality, professional, amazing adventures solely in the Hells Canyon Region.

Highly Personal Service

Heidi and Kurt oversee all aspects of your trip.  Kurt guides on several trips each season. You are not just another number to us your’re our guest.  We make sure your trip is the highest quality it can be. There is a reason we have been successful in this business for over 31 years. We staff our trips with a ratio of one guide to 3-4 guests providing you the ultimate in personal attention

Your safety is our #1 goal.

We carry a satellite emergency telephone on all trips.  Guides are trained in wilderness first aid, and use a cautious approach to everything in the canyon.

Rich Itinerary

Our itinerary is designed to visit many different points of interest, taking advantage of rock art sites, pioneer homesteads, and natural wonders in the river canyon. You may only float through Hells Canyon once in your life and we want to make sure you see the best that it has to offer.

Full-Service Camping

Our gear boat travels ahead each day to set up a luxurious river camp. When you arrive at camp, your spacious tents are setup, the bags are packed up, hors d’oeuvres are set out, dining tables and chairs are ready for dinner, our amazing river kitchen is ready, and you can settle into camp for the evening. There is time to explore – hike, fish, relax in the shade.  We will never ask you to unload cargo or set up your own tent.  We staff our trips with a ratio of one guide to 3-4  guests providing you the ultimate in personal attention.

Luxury Camping – “Glamping”

Our safari style camp includes all camping gear such as roomy 4 person tents for one or two guests, freshly laundered sleeping bags (available to rent), and thick self-inflating mattresses.  All top of the line rafting gear is included.

Professional Fun Guides

We have a high rate of retention for our guides.  They are part of our family, and will treat you like you are too.  Most of them have medical training well beyond what is required.  They are willing and eager to share, teach, listen, learn, laugh, play, discuss and, above all, work hard to provide a safe, relaxed and spontaneous adventure. Most of all they are passionate about their work.  Guides join you at all meals, sharing conversation and laughter at meal times and around the campfire.  Our guides interact with the guest.  We always have a guide with the guests and others in the kitchen to prepare dinner. While the kitchen crew prepares dinner, our guest crew is available to spend time with you, lead a hike, show you how to catch the big one, fetch a cold drink, or simply sit in the shade and visit. This is a fundamental distinction between us and others.

Top of the Line Equipment

We are constantly upgrading, and replacing equipment, especially life jackets which are thoroughly cleaned after each trip.

Fishing

The fishing in Hells Canyon is superlative.  We love to fish, and provide all the equipment.  There is always a guide ready and willing to keep the kid’s lines untangled and in the water.  Guides are also experienced in catching the elusive white sturgeon which can reach up to 10’ in length.

River Cuisine

Our river fare is one of a kind stocked from the HCR greenhouse whenever possible.  We source or foods locally; sometimes from Hells Canyon itself.  You can expect sumptuous, healthy meals all artfully prepared with whole foods, in our riverside kitchen.  Baked brie, tenderloin steaks, fresh Idaho trout, medallions of pork tenderloins with a Hells Canyon Apricot Chutney, deserts baked in our Dutch ovens; fresh peach cobbler with black berries you helped to pick that day, or a double chocolate cake drizzled with chocolate sauce topped with raspberries, and fresh mint.  Step up to our riverside deli for lunch, with cold cuts, cheeses, fresh salads, and the fixings.  There is always extra fruit, granola bars, and chocolates for snacking.  We are happy to accommodate any dietary needs.  We promise you won’t go hungry.

All inclusive

Complementary beer, wine, juices, and sodas in moderate quantities are provided.  We always have plenty of ice.   All personal camping equipment like tents, and mattresses are also included. We encourage you to bring your own sleeping bag, but have them available to rent if needed.

Free T-Shirt

On the last day we give each guest their own HCR T-shirt.  This way you have something clean to wear home.  We also provide each guest with an HCR mug.

Choice of Craft

Choose from a variety of river craft, oar boats, paddle boats, inflatable kayaks, and on some trips stand up paddle boards.  We encourage all guests to ride where they are most comfortable.  It’s okay to switch from boat to boat throughout the trip.

Easy Pre and Post trip logistics

We will take care of all pre and post trip hotel reservation.  (not included in the trip cost).  Vehicle shuttles can be arranged as well as airport pickup, and group transportation.

Charter/ Private/ Small Group Charter

Trips can be chartered for just your family or group.  Private trips can be arranged where the sky is the limit.  We also offer Small Group Charters during our shoulder seasons.

We promise

To give you the highest quality river trip possible.  You will have privacy when you need it, and camaraderie when you want.  From the first call or email to the final goodbye Heidi and Kurt will oversee and be involved with your experience.

Hells Canyon Raft is proud to be an Equal Opportunity recreation service provider under permit from the U.S. Forest Service, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area and licensed by the States of Idaho and Oregon. All our operations and facilities are operated on a non-discriminatory basis. We also operate under licenses from the states of Idaho and Oregon.

We even do the dishes…