What is the deepest river gorge in North America?

Hells Canyon is located on the state boundary between western Idaho and eastern Oregon. It's North America's deepest river gorge measured at 7,993 feet in depth and over 10 miles wide. This is compared to the Grand Canyon which is 6,093 deep and 18 miles wide. The canyon begins near Huntington, Oregon and ends at Lewiston, Idaho.

The canyon was formed eons ago while the Snake River cut a path through the Blue Mountains. The Snake River cut mostly through young Miocene basalt and is thought to be the beginnings of draining the ancient Lake Bonnerville (a predecessor of the Great Salt Basin).

Hells Canyon is home to the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area which is managed by the federal government. It is also home to the Seven Devils mountain range. This mountain range is one of the most pristine, remote areas in North America. This area is accessible mostly by foot and/or horseback. If you are an avid backpacker or remote camper, this region should be on your bucket list. The other activities available in the area are fishing, hunting, camping, jet boat rides and the canyon is home of some of the harshest class IV water rapids in the Northwest.