Hells Canyon - Snake River

This route is a perfect out-and-back from the Boise area. The road leaves Cambridge following several creeks and climbs up over a small mountain range. As you drop down towards the Brownlee Reservoir on the Snake River the road zigs and zags along the contours of the hill. You'll make your way into Oregon below the Brownlee Dam and stay in Oregon until Oxbow, when you return to Idaho and the best road section of the drive. The road snakes along the Snake River with some fantastic elevation changes as you make your way to the Hells Canyon Creek Visitors Center where the road ends

The road surface is in good shape, but beware of rocks and dirt on the insides of some of the turns, especially near the high cliffs at the end. There's often some water on the road, too, so beware.

Traffic is usually light, but it's easy to get stuck behind a truck towing a boat or a trailer, especially during the summer months, and during hunting season. Watch for wild animals, as there are many deer in the first section and I've seen bear near the visitors center at the turn-around.

It's not an amazing road, but one that's good enough if you're in the area. You can also turn this into a larger loop by adding NF-39/North Pine Road to head out to Joseph, Oregon, then looping back at Baker City, Oregon. If you go this route, be warned that the road surface is rough in places on NF-39; it's paved, but there are many big bumps that can be hard on your suspension.