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The United States Congress designated the Hells Canyon Wilderness in 1975 and it now has a total of 217,927 acres. Idaho contains approximately 83,811 acres. Oregon contains approximately 134,116 acres. Hells Canyon primarily managed by the U.S. Forest Service with approximately 940-acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Hells Canyon Wilderness is a subset of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA), which straddles the border of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho. Split into two distinct halves by the Wild & Scenic Snake River, approximately one-third of HCNRA is designated Wilderness. A small portion of the Wilderness in Oregon is managed by the BLM.

The Idaho side of the Wilderness is smaller than the Oregon side and encompasses the Seven Devils mountain range. The Wilderness stretches south from Pittsburg Landing for approximately 31 miles along the Snake River.

On the Oregon side, the higher elevation areas are characteristic of rocky slopes and grasslands laced with 'stringer canyons' and groves composed of Douglas fir and ponderosa pine. The lower elevations are dominated by grassland benches with steep canyons and ravines dissecting the isolated Oregon-side. Two National trails are found at various elevations: Western Rim/Summit Ridge Recreation Trail at the upper elevation, and the Nez Perce National Historic Trail near the Snake River. Species of interest are Rocky Mountain Elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and chukar.

The Bureau of Land Management's National Conservation Lands, also known as the National Landscape Conservation System, contain some of the West's most spectacular landscapes. It includes over 886 federally recognized areas and approximately 27 million acres that include Wilderness areas.

With the passage of the Omnibus Public Land Act in March 2009, the BLM now manages eight Wilderness Areas across nearly 247,000 acres in Oregon. The BLM also manages one Wilderness Area in Washington covering 7,142 acres. In addition, the BLM currently protects wilderness values on 82 Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) and five Instant Study Areas in Oregon totaling more than 2.6 million acres and one WSA in Washington totaling 5,557 acres.

Wilderness is Congressionally-designated piece land that is managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964 to "…secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness." Wilderness areas are places where natural processes take precedent; areas managed so that nature remains substantially unchanged by human use. Rugged trails provide the only access into wilderness, and travel is restricted to foot or horseback.

This map will allow you to plan your trip, navigate the wilderness, and enjoy its solitude and splendor. Before you head out to this area be sure you know how to use a map and compass. To learn a little more about map and compass navigation check out our video on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6pIxovHLYM

The Oregon/Washington Bureau of Land Management Public Room has available for sale a wide range of publications, maps, and recreation guides - both online and in person. Pick out the kind of map you want and follow the "Purchase Online" link to buy your map!