There's something so wonderfully simple about stopping to take in your surroundings from atop a scenic perch; it's a grounding and life-affirming experience that really puts you in the here and now. And while there are numerous places for taking in the views, one of our favorite scenic overlooks is a little-known vista in the far-east corner of Oregon: the Hells Canyon Overlook.
Would you believe that a place this lovely was called Hells Canyon?
Well, it is! This is Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans both Oregon and Idaho and encompasses more than 215,000 acres of rugged wilderness.
Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America, plunging 8,000 vertical feet in its deepest areas. It's truly a place of immense beauty and commanding grandeur.
Our favorite way to enjoy this ironically named place is the eponymous Hells Canyon Overlook in Oregon. The overlook is located at NF-490, Imnaha, OR, 97842, and it's absolutely worth the effort to visit.
You'll find it just off the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, a 218-mile route that journeys straight through this resplendent region.
This easily accessed overlook provides a dramatic panorama of Hells Canyon and the Seven Devils Mountains, and the views from it are almost too beautiful for words. Photos simply don't do it justice.
Truly, have you ever seen anything so sublime? There are no words.
Of course, this scenic overlook is also a wonderful impromptu detour, too. In our opinion, these spontaneous stops are often the most rewarding!
So whether you've mapped out a road trip to this overlook, or simply decide on a scenic pit stop when traveling through eastern Oregon, the views from the Hells Canyon Scenic Overlook are sure to leave you speechless.
Have you been to the Hells Canyon Overlook in eastern Oregon before? It's truly a place of sublime beauty!
For a deeper dive into this wondrous expanse in eastern Oregon, here's a scenic drive sure to make you swoon!
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