Hells Canyon Scenic Byway (Forest Road 39)
Closed by snow roughly mid-October to mid-May
Pass status
Is the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway (Forest Road 39) open?
A guide to the typical season and the live weather at the top, not a live open or closed status. Always check the official road status before you travel.
The drive
Forest Road 39 over the Wallowas toward the deepest canyon in North America
The full Hells Canyon Scenic Byway (Forest Road 39) drive guide ›
Passes nearby
Season questions
Is the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway (Forest Road 39) open right now?
The official road status is the only definitive answer, and it changes fast up high. As a guide: the typical driving season runs June to November, and the pass closes for winter snow outside it. Our road note: Closed by snow roughly mid-October to mid-May The live summit weather on this page helps judge conditions today.
When does the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway (Forest Road 39) usually open and close?
In a typical year it is driveable from June to November. Exact dates shift with the snowpack: a heavy winter can push opening weeks later, and early snow can shut it ahead of schedule.
How high is the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway (Forest Road 39)?
The summit of the driven road sits at about 1,863 m (6,112 ft), which is why the season is set by snow rather than by the calendar.