Gateway to Hells Canyon: The Essential Guide to Lewiston, Idaho

Make the Most of Your Trip to the Lewis-Clark Valley

If you’re headed out on a Hells Canyon rafting trip or Lower Salmon River trip, chances are you’ll pass through Lewiston, Idaho. But there’s more to this riverside city than first meets the eye. With trails, history, a revitalized historic downtown, and a waterfront shaped by the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, it’s an outdoor hub worth exploring. 

We asked a few locally-based OARS Dories Idaho guides for recommendations on what to see, do, eat, and experience if you’re visiting Lewiston, and the suggestions below were among their top picks.

Top Things to Do in and Around Lewiston

Whether you’ve got an afternoon or a whole weekend, Lewiston and the surrounding Lewis-Clark Valley pack a lot of adventure. 

Cool Off at Hells Gate

Just five minutes from downtown, Hells Gate State Park is the area’s one-stop shop for an afternoon of fun. There’s a trail system, a swimming beach, picnic shelters, and a playground, plus two museums worth a wander. Check out the Lewis & Clark Discovery Center or the Jack O’Connor Hunting Heritage & Education Center. When it’s time to cool off, take a dip in the Snake River, or rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak to hone your paddling skills.

See Hells Canyon From the Air

Experience northern Idaho’s wildest landscapes from above on a one-hour tour with Hillcrest Aircraft. You’ll soar above Hells Canyon’s dramatic black basalt walls, the mouth of the Lower Salmon River, and the jagged peaks of the Seven Devils Mountains—all while discovering the rich history and stories of the people who shaped the region. It’s the perfect way to start or end a Snake River or Lower Salmon rafting adventure.

Learn the Deeper History

Lewiston has a rich human history, dating back more than 12,000 years to the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) people who first called the area home and still play a prominent role in the community. The Nez Perce National Historical Park tells the story of the Nimíipuu, but it isn’t a typical national park. It’s made up of 38 sites scattered across the Nimíipuu’s traditional homeland in present-day Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The main visitor center is in Spalding, Idaho, just outside Lewiston. The museum has a collection of clothing, tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects, and is often staffed by indigenous interpreters eager to share their deep knowledge. Nearby, the sacred site known as the Heart of the Monster tells the Nimíipuu origin story.

Have extra time? Spend a few hours learning about the gold rush era, Lewis and Clark’s exploration, geology, early river navigation, railroad history, and more. The Nez Perce County Historical Society and Museum shares stories of adventure, courage, innovation, and friendship. 

Walk, Jog, or Bike the Levee

Want to stretch your legs? The Lewiston Levee Parkway Trail is a 12.3-mile paved trail passing several city parks and offering interpretive signage along the way. The trail system connects to the Clearwater and Snake River Recreation Trail, offering 20 more miles of paved riverside access. Want to bike? Rent wheels from Follett’s Mountain Sports. It’s just a few blocks away from trail access.  

Stroll Historic Downtown

Local shops, restaurants, art galleries, and a steady calendar of events line the quaint streets of Downtown Lewiston. Wander through the Center for Arts and History, or explore beneath the sidewalks with a ghost tour from Idaho History Tours. Swing by Brock’s, you’ll hear the live music wafting from this restaurant just before you smell the delicious food. 

Eat and Drink Like a Local

From vintage coffee shops and riverside patios to craft cocktails and food carts, the Lewis-Clark Valley delivers plenty of flavor. 

Get a Cup of Joe

Located in an old bank on Lewiston’s historic Main Street, the Blue Lantern’s vintage decor, large curved windows, and homemade local and organic treats make the perfect office away from home. Already in vacation mode? A carefully selected menu of locally-crafted microbrews and wines makes the Blue Lantern a perfect café for spending a few hours with your traveling companions. 

Best Lunch 

Imua serves authentic Hawaiian-style food. It’s a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, with delicious food. Enjoy a traditional moco or a poke bowl, but make sure to follow it up with a Hawaiian shave ice. Choose one of their homemade, rotating flavors. The traditional way is served on a bed of ice cream topped with Kaua’i Kream and Li-Hing Mui powder. It’s a must-try on a hot afternoon.

Something for Everyone

Right on the Snake River in Clarkston, Roosters Landing is a go-to for steaks, seafood, and burgers. A casual spot with a great view, grab a table on the patio where you can watch the boats come and go on the waterfront. With local wines and beers, plus 75 items on the menu, you’re sure to find something for everyone.

Getting Fancy

Tucked inside the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel, Meriwether’s Bistro creates Pacific Northwest-inspired plates from ingredients sourced close to home. From meats to wines, you can taste the flavors of the Lewis Clark Valley. Everything is made in-house, from scratch, to amplify the local flavors. Plus, the views from their patio stretch over the whole valley and the Clearwater River below. 

For Great Cocktails

Technically in Clarkson, The Drinky Box is worth the short drive across the state line to Lewiston’s Washington counterpart. Their rotating, seasonal cocktail list is not to be missed. Their summer cocktail menu is all fresh fruit, homemade syrups, and inventive flavors. And if that’s not enough, they serve fancy hotdogs, and those flavor combos are out of control. Try their wildly popular loaded baked potato dog, or the Sagat, Tiger Uppercut, a pad thai-inspired dog. Outdoor seating, food trucks, live music, and weekly band jams. This is the place to be.  

For the Best Wine

The picturesque setting of Rivaura Estate Vineyard and Winery offers sweeping vistas of the Clearwater River and the rolling hills beyond. The patio seating puts you right next to the vineyard your glass came from. The family behind it has lived in the Lewis Clark Valley for more than a century. They’re focused on sustainable viticulture practices, and you can taste the difference. Pair your glass with something from Chef Bun Bun’s food cart, which makes fresh, innovative meals from scratch. Her menu changes weekly, utilizing seasonal ingredients. People wait all year for her pumpkin cheesecake to make its return. 

Where to Stay in Lewiston, ID

Did you drive in with your RV or some camp gear? The Hells Gate State Park Campground is central to it all. Five minutes from downtown, but quiet enough to soak up nature, and capitalize on all the Snake has to offer. Not camping? Check out the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel. It sits just on the edge of downtown, close enough to walk to the great restaurants, museums, and the Levee Parkway Trail system. It offers iconic views of the Clearwater River, and Meriwether’s Bistro is at your doorstep. 

How to Get Here

For a town so close to the wilderness, Lewiston is pretty easy to reach. Fly into the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport with a direct flight from a bigger hub like Seattle or Salt Lake City. Or simply fly to Spokane International Airport, where you can rent a car, or catch a bus for the scenic, two hour drive to Lewiston.

However you arrive, and however long you stay, Lewiston has a lot to offer. Stand where the Nimíipuu stood for thousands of years, see the deepest gorge in North America from above, and all before dinner. It’s a gateway, and a destination.  

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An earlier version of this post was written by Emerald LaFortune in 2015 and has since been updated.