Overall Route Rating
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4.53 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.53
17 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Aug 31, 2008

Rider Reviews

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Guest
June 18, 2012
We are here on vacation and on our list is to see…
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Guest
March 22, 2011
Great road for bikers. A quick stop at Scotty's…
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Written Directions

To find the Devil's Tail, ride to Historic Baker City, Oregon then travel east on Hwy 86 along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway to Richland, Halfway, and finally to Oxbow, Oregon - The Devils Tail starting point. Take the Devil's Tail (also known as National Forest Service Rd #454) from Oxbow, Oregon across the Snake river into Idaho, all the way to Hells Canyon Dam and the Hells Canyon Visitors Center. It's got hundreds of curves, spectacular views, and can be very dangerous if you are not paying attention.

Scenery

Riders from all over the world come to Hells Canyon to ride this famous motorcycle road. Located in Hells Canyon, this is the deepest motorcycle road in North America. 2000' deeper than the Grand Canyon. The road gets it's name from the fact that it forms the base of the Seven Devils Mountains and the eastern wall of Hells Canyon. The scenery is out of this world. Makes Deal's Gap look like child's play. Bring your camera and enjoy a special ride only a experienced by a few. There is a blog you can read about it: https://devilstailfaq.blogspot.com/ see you there, ride safe.

Drive Enjoyment

The Devil's Tail can be challenging, the road surface has tar snakes and rock falls. Hundreds of curves with posted speeds of 10 to 35 mph. Elevation rises from river water level at the Snake River until you reach a high cliff, then back to river level at the dam. .

Tourism Opportunities

Get gas at Scotty's Hells Canyon Supply. There is no fuel for 44 miles round trip. Hells Canyon Visitor Center is just after you ride over Hells Canyon Dam. The visitor center has a pop machine and washrooms. There is also a jet boat launch ramp there, it's fun to watch!

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather.
 

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JTV69
August 3, 2021
17 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Great road. Last time I rode it there were fires, so it was pretty smoky, but the technical parts of the ride were just as awesome. Bring lots of water - it will be hot - and make sure you've got a full tank of gas!
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mongovb
July 24, 2014
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
We camped in Joseph OR and rode over to Oxbow on NF-39. That road is approximately 54 miles long and takes approximately 2 1/2 hours due to all the corners. The road has gravel in patches on the last 13 miles or so on the Oxbow side and occasional gravel in the corners so be careful. Every gravel patch had breaking bumps on them. Going back the other way, I almost went down when my front and back tire decided to use different sides of the rut I was trying to avoid. Thank god for a little luck and my training feet lol. We ran that road twice in the same day and it was the shorter alternative to going around through Baker back to Joseph.

As for Scotty's, it was a life saver in the 102 degree heat and Diane(?) was already filling up 32oz cups of ice water for us. She was a character. The tail itself had lots of tar snakes/patches so be careful when its hot. As for gas, Scotty's does not have gas anymore so if you don't have at least 100 miles in your tank, turn around and go to Halfway and top off. There is only one station in Halfway that has premium. Its a co op when you come into town, turn left and its about a quarter mile down. All in all it was a great experience, but, I do not see myself going back. Another check on the bucket list.
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Kevin Allen
April 22, 2022
16 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
So I don't ride a motorcycle I drive a Cayman but this is the best site for finding good roads, and this is IMO the best road in the USA. As twisty as the tail of the dragon, better scenery, & absolutely no one here ever
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