The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) straddles both sides of the Snake River in both Oregon and Idaho. The recreation sites and trails in this section are all found away from the Wild and Scenic Snake River in the Oregon uplands, and in other forest lands near the Wallowa Valley. All other upland sites and all trails in the Hells Canyon NRA - Snake River, or Hells Canyon NRA - Idaho are found in those recreation area sections.
Popular recreation areas include the Hells Canyon Wilderness (Oregon), Hat Point, Hells Canyon Overlook, Imnaha Wild and Scenic River and adjacent campgrounds, and Lord Flat.
Local Oregon communities that have a variety of services (i.e. fuel, lodging, stores and/or restaurants) are Enterprise, Joseph, Imnaha, Halfway, and Pine Creek. These communities are within one hour of the recreation area.