Hells Canyon Adventures has always operated as a small family business dedicated to helping guests experience the south entrance of Hells Canyon. We run the largest rapids in Hells Canyon, averaging 300 trips per year. Here’s how we came to be pioneers of Hells Canyon tours.
- 1973: The Zanelli Family founded Hells Canyon Navigation
- 1980: Gary Armacost purchased Hells Canyon Navigation and changed the business name to Hells Canyon Adventures
- 1981: Hells Canyon Adventures starts running jet boats daily in the south end of the Wild Section of the Snake River
- 1980s: Accessibility into the Wild Section of Hells Canyon increases with introduction of jet boats. People of all shapes, sizes, and abilities experience the deepest portions of Hells Canyon in a half day or full day.
- 1980s: Bentz Boats in Lewiston builds jet boats specifically for Hells Canyon Adventures, designed for the turbulent waters of the Wild Section of the Snake. Hells Canyon Adventures continues to operate only Bentz Boats.
- 1981-2001: Jet boat tours expand and change based on the skills of boat captains and consumer demands.
- 1989: Introduction of the One-Day Rafting Adventure with Jet Boat Return — a trip not offered by any other outfitter in Hells Canyon.
- 2001: The Yates family purchases Hells Canyon Adventures. Mark Yates begins driving jet boats daily. His sons, Dillon and Dustin, are currently HCA’s primary boat captains and raft guides.
- 2010: United States Forest Service discontinues 1 day rafting, due to the 2008 new forest regulations.
- 2015: Hells Canyon Adventures purchases a raft permit and reintroduces the 1 Day Rafting trip. Believing that everyone deserves the chance to raft Hells Canyon at least once in their lives, Hells Canyon Adventures expands its rafting adventures to better accommodate people with mobility issues or physical disabilities.
- 2015: Hells Canyon Adventures leases the Sheep Creek Historic Cabin from the U.S. Forest Service and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. The company maintains this historic treasure; it quickly becomes a favorite spot for lunch and camping.
- 2016: Hells Canyon Adventures cements its reputation as the outfitter’s outfitter, cultivating strong and positive relationships with other Snake River outfitters. If an operator has an emergency, forgets equipment, or needs to shuffle guides, we assist. If they can’t provide a service but we can, they refer travelers to our business. We want all Snake River outfitters to thrive.
- Future: Hopefully, Mark’s grandchildren Weston and River will embrace the dream some day!
HCA CREW 2022
Each person on our team excels at providing the best possible customer service, every single day. It’s our goal to make sure each customer has their ultimate Hells Canyon ADVENTURE.
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Mark Yates
Boat Captain/Adventure Specialist
President/Retired
Mark is our resident dreamer: He creates a goal, figures out what it will take to make it happen, and builds the team that can achieve it. He gives our team the freedom to put our own individual stamps on our projects and services. Mark is a hands-on boss who is involved in all aspects of the business and who creates a true team atmosphere. If you find yourself on the phone with him booking a reservation, speak up, because he’s either misplaced his hearing aids or is on the golf course.
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Dusty Yates
Boat Captain, Fishing Guide
Member of Hells Canyon Adventures Since: 2012
Dusty is our lead boat captain and works hard to make sure our trips depart on time, but getting him home is another story! He works with our customers to make their trips meaningful, whether that’s taking time for extra sightseeing opportunities, enjoying a leisurely lunch, or visiting with new friends. Dusty may be quiet, but he opens up once he sits in the captain seat, as many customers have found. He’s an outdoor enthusiast and spends his few days off fishing, hiking, and rafting Hells Canyon with his German wire hair Hunter.
Dusty and Hunter have added a new member to their family, Jaeger, German Drahthaar. He is a very smart active puppy who is constantly in trouble. He is loved by the whole HCA crew.
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Ben Warren
Fishing Guide
Member of Hells Canyon Adventures Since: 2018
Idaho native Ben Warren leads our charters to Brownlee, Oxbow, and Hells Canyon reservoirs and you couldn’t ask for a better guide! Ben is a competitive bass fisherman who is one of only three Idahoans to qualify for the prestigious Bass Fishing All-American League. With more than 25 years of guiding experience, professional fishing, and local know-how, Ben has the knowledge and genuine passion to help anglers have their most successful day on the water. Your trip will be tailored to you and based on the method you prefer, using only quality rods, reels, and tackle. You’ll fish from a 2017 Ranger 520C.
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Brandie Lincoln
Adventure Specialist
Member of Hells Canyon Adventures Since: 2006
Brandie is our resident extrovert, a happy, bubbly person who loves talking to people — which is great, because she’s the person customers speak to when they contact Hells Canyon Adventures! Her goal before coming to Hells Canyon Adventures was to create a life she didn’t need a vacation from, and she’s found that life here. She enjoys learning about people and their backgrounds and has grown personally and professionally while helping others plan their dream trips. Her children have grown up in the office and are considered part of the team, too.
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Wyatt Akers
Raft Guide
Member of Hells Canyon Adventures since 2018
Wyatt was born and raised in Richland, Oregon. He grew up working on his family’s ranch. Wyatt is a hard worker, good listener, funny, and has an infectious smile. His warm personality will instantly make you feel comfortable while floating through Wild Section of Hells Canyon.
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Jake Miller
Raft Guide, Fishing Guide
Member of Hells Canyon Adventures since 2019
Jake served 8 years in the Army as a medic. Jake’s love for the outdoors (specifically fishing), easy going personality, great sense of humor, and extensive medical training makes him a great guide! He is also a good cook. Nothing beats a fantastic meal served on the river under the stars! When you see Jake on the river, thank him for his service in our military!
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Cody Ard
Boat Captain, Fishing Guide
Member of Hells Canyon Adventures since 2020
Cody joined the HCA crew in 2020. Cody has a huge passion for the outdoors and everything Idaho has to offer. Cody is the father of 4 teenage daughters. He spent his first season at Sheep Creek, maintaining the facility and available to visit with all the river users that pass through. We quickly learned that Cody’s passion in life is fishing. In 2021, 40 hatchery steelhead were harvested by clients and 5 wild steelhead were released, 74 sturgeon were landed and 10 were lost. Incredible numbers! In March of 2022, Cody received his United States Coast Guard Captain’s License. Congratulations Cody!
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Dillon Yates
Boat Captain and Raft Guide
Member of Hells Canyon Adventures Since: 2004
Dillon grew up in Council, Idaho with his brothers Dusty and Wyatt Yates. They lived and worked on a ranch with their Dad, Mark Yates. He started working for HCA as a raft guide and in 2017 received his United States Coast Guard Captain’s License. He makes rowing a raft or driving a jet boat look easy. Dillon’s attention to detail and quiet personality help him connect with customers and create lasting memories for them. Dillon is a jack of all trades so when he is not on the river he is working at Sheep Creek and our Warehouse.
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Cole Hauter
Raft Guide/Deckhand
Member of Hells Canyon since 2023
Cole grew up in La Grande, OR and has spent countless weekends in Hells Canyon fishing, rock climbing and hiking just down the road from the HCA warehouse at Big Bar. He became a raft guide in 2017 and has spent every summer in the canyon since! When not on the water you may cross paths with him in the high desert on his dirt bike or in the gym keeping his edge for an upcoming motocross race! Cole has filled in for HCA for several day trips but is the newest fulltime member to HCA and we are excited to have him as our lead guide and learning the jetboat side as a deckhand as well.
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Lucas Simpson
Raft Guide/Deckhand
Member of Hells Canyon since 2022
Lucas was born and raised in one of the true gateways to Hells Canyon, Halfway, OR. He is an avid outdoorsman and has spent 10 years of his life in the guiding industry, 5 of them guiding for bear hunting and 5 as a raft guide. His passion for the river is as big as his passion for making and using his own primitive hunting weapons. However your almost as likely to capture a picture of sasquatch than him, which often requires a big distraction….like a bear
Find Us
Contact
Hells Canyon Adventures Warehouse
4200 Hells Canyon Dam Road
Oxbow, OR 97840