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.
- 2026: S & S River Outfitters has acquired the jet boat division, bringing together some of the best adventures on the Salmon River and in Hells Canyon. With Dusty, Dillon, and Cody leading jet boat operations out of the dam, the tradition, quality, and on-the-water experience remain as strong as ever. This transition allows Mark to step into a more semi-retired role and enjoy more time with family and friends, while the Yates family continues to own and operate the rafting division. This aquisition allows HCA to be the only outfitter operating out of both the Hells Canyon Dam and Pittsburg Landing in Hells Canyon, and expands operations into the River of No Return Wilderness. Combining companies gives customers the opportunity to stay at China Bar Lodge and the Ram House Lodge on the Main Salmon River.
HCA CREW
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
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. 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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Peyton Baugh
Boat Captain, Fishing Guide
Jet Boat Captain Since: 2021
Peyton grew up on the river in Riggins, turning a lifelong passion for the outdoors into a career on the water. He started out as a raft guide, transitioned into drift boat fishing, before earning his Captain's license in 2021. Today, Peyton runs trips on the Snake and Salmon rivers, guiding guests through some of the most scenic areas in the country.
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Jake Miller
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. Cody’s passion in life is jet boating and catching big sturgeon for his clients and fishing for anything that bends a rod.
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Dillon Yates
Boat Captain and Adventure Specialist
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
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.
Find Us
Contact
Hells Canyon Adventures Warehouse
4200 Hells Canyon Dam Road
Oxbow, OR 97840
HCA Office/S & S River Outfitters
1323 S Main Street
Riggins, ID 83549