SP Campground Review – Wallowa Lake State Park, Joseph, OR
Link to campground here: Wallowa Lake State Park, Joseph, OR
Link to map location here: Wallowa Lake State Park, Joseph, OR
- Site Quality = 4/5
Consistently decent site quality here. The campground is set slightly back from Wallowa Lake and has 5 main loops (A through E) containing a mix of back-in and pull-through sites. Hookups are either full (30Amp/water/sewer, $30/night) or none (primitive or tent, $20/night). Sites are paved, mostly nicely flat (a few not so much) with a grassy “sitting area” containing picnic table and fire pit. Most sites are amongst the trees, but there are some sunnier sites and a very few (sites A17, A19, A21, A23, A23b) have slices of lake views. Overall we found the pull-through sites to be more spacious (and have larger “sitting areas”) than the back-in’s, some of which were tighter together than we’d like, but most of the sites were fairly well-spaced and pleasant. Also most of the “tent” (non-hookup) sites were large enough to accommodate RV’s with the exception of Loop D where the road was narrower and the campsites at direct right-angles to the road (= not easy access for bigger rigs). So, Loop D is the only one I would *not* recommend for big rigs. - Facilities = 4.5/5
Very good facilities here. The campground has several buildings with flush toilets & spacious warm showers (they get a slight ding for having those annoying spray-heads & push-buttons, but the button provides decent time). There is also a small on-site laundromat (only $1 for wash & dry). In addition there is a large on-site Marina (with kayak rentals & free WiFi) by the lake as well as several large, grassy day-use areas and an on-site playground (for the kiddies). - Location = 5/5
Very nice location here. The campground is right at the base of the Wallowa Mountain (and Eagle Cap Wilderness) range, so you have mountains in the background, with beautiful Wallowa Lake in the front. The Wallowa Tramway is only ~1 mile away and hiking trails into the Eagle Cap Wilderness are nearby too. Lastly, you are only 6 miles from the lovely little town of Joseph and all it has to offer. It’s a great base to explore the lake area and the surrounding region. - Pet Friendliness = 5/5
This is an excellent place for doggie. Good space to hang out in camp and LOTS of space to hike around the state park including the day-use areas and trails, all of which are dog-friendly. There is easy access to the lake and even a huge (with trails) official off-leash area next to the Marina (the first time I’ve seen something like that in a state park). Poo bags are stocked all around the park.
Overall Rating = 4.6
BONUS ALERT = Camp right at the base of the Wallowa Mountains by Wallowa Lake!
Summary: When we came to explore the Wallowa’s we knew right away we wanted to stay at the state park. Located right at the base of the gorgeous Wallowa Mountains (and the Eagle Cap Wilderness) and on the banks of Wallowa Lake, the setting really couldn’t be any better. We definitely weren’t disappointed in our choice. The State Park is a large area surrounded by lots of nature (several huge, grassy day-use areas), the gorgeous lake (incl. full-use Marina with kayak rentals) and several cute eateries in the next-door “Village”. Sites are a mix of either paved pull-through or back-in, full hookup (30Amp/water/sewer) or primitive and offer nice, grassy sitting areas with picnic tables and fire pits. Most are in tree’d areas although a few offer sunnier spots. Mostly separation is good, especially for the pull-though sites (we loved our site B5) although some of the back-in sites are closer than we’d like. Location is also great. You are only ~1 mile from the Wallowa Tramway & the main hiking trails into the Eagle Cap Wilderness, a mere 6 miles from super-cute Joseph and easy drives to see all the main attractions in the area. The only dings? This is a POPULAR state park and gets booked out (and very busy!!) most of summer. We reserved our site several months ago, and if you come during July/Aug reservations are a *must*. While we were there (mid-June) the weekdays were fairly quiet, but the weekends did get busy and I’ve heard some people describe this place as a “zoo” in summer. The other ding is that there is ZERO cell signal inside the park. Because of its location at the base of several 9,000 ft high mountains, the state park is in a total dead zone. We got achingly slow 1X (only enough to text and do basic email really) on Verizon and nothing at all on ATT, even with boosting. There is free (and very good) public WiFi at the Marina by the lake and good cell signal (plus lots more WiFi points) in Joseph, but don’t expect anything at your campsite. For this reason I think this park is best enjoyed slightly off-season or, if internet is important to you, for shorter stays. We LOVED our time here, and thoroughly enjoyed the nature and beautiful lake, but if we come back for a longer stay I think we’ll go to one of the private parks near town.
Extra Info: VERY POOR internet/cell signal. We were only able to get 1X on Verizon (enough to send/receive texts and some email, but not much more) and nothing at all on ATT, even with boosting. 121 full-hookup (30Amp/water/sewer = $30/night) sites, 89 primitive (non-hookup = $20/night) sites, 2 Yurts ($42/night) all reservable online (reservations highly recommended in summer!). On-site dump station & water spigots around the campground.
Very helpful!. Looking forward to visiting .
Absolutely love the Oregon State Parks. Came from New Jersey last fall down the Columbia Gorge to Portland for a few days and then across the Cascades and down the coast to San Francisco. What a treasurer you folks on the west coast have. Best State Parks I have encountered and like New Jersey you don’t have to pump your own gas. Very reasonable prices in the SPs compared to here on the East Coast. I really want to go back but it takes so long to go from here to there. I think I will do New England and the Maritimes in the fall. I love your campground reviews which is what got me to go cross country last year. Thanks.
We NEED to go see the East Coast sometime, especially for the lighthouses (oh my), but I have to admit the distance and cost do keep us at bay. I would love to see Maine though…someday. Glad the reviews are an inspiration. Oregon State parks are some of my favorite and, like you mentioned, always reasonably priced.
Nina
Another helpful review, and another place we definitely would love. The WiFi at the marina would probably be okay for us as well for several days – especially if the weather is this gorgeous when we visit 🙂
Yeah we spent quite a bit of time at the Marina. Perfect weather while we were there, so it was no problem to sit outside and soak up the WiFi. For a few days it’s easy enough. After 2 weeks it got a bit old (for us).
Nina
You certainly had a great location to park the Beast for a couple weeks. This park must rate quite high in all around beauty for all the places you’ve stayed over the years?
The area around the park is definitely gorgeous, especially when you get up in the mountains. There are no views from within the park itself though (you’re at the base of the mountains in a tree’d area). So, just depends how you’re looking at it.
My #1 fav state park in OR for raw natural beauty is still Cape Blanco. It doesn’t have as many facilities as this park, but the sheer nature there (the cliffs, beaches etc.) is just so spectacular.
But yes, the Wallowa Mountains and the lake here are both gorgeous.
Nina
Nina I just have to say I love reading about where you’ve been and your photography is awesome….but I need to ask…When your boondocking or at camp grounds how are the Mosquitos at night or in the morning?
It just depends on the park and the season. While we were at Wallowa (early June) we did not encounter any mosquitoes at all. I have heard from others though that they do get skeeters in this park, maybe later in summer? So, just depends.
We try to avoid skeeters as much as possible and thankfully haven’t really encountered many this year. I remember a few skeeters at Alabama Hills earlier this year (spring), but no other major encounters since then.
Nina
Love your reviews. Why do you prefer the private camps on your next trip?
For the two reasons I mentioned in the review, the crowds (in high season) and the cell signal. Of the two, our biggest item is cell signal since we need access for our work and 2 weeks without a signal is a bit of a stretch for us. If we come back for another long stay we’ll stay in town for the signal. For a shorter stay the State Park is perfect, at least for our needs. If signal is not a concern for you, the State Park is perfect.
Nina
You mention that the “Beast” is too big
for the type of camping you like to do. Whats in your opinion the ideal size and will you choose DP again?
We just bought a used 27 ft gaser to see if we like RViig. I am a smi retired now and would like to experience boondocking three months at a time.
I love your blog “Investing for living”
I mainly invest in dividend paying stock for the cash flow.
Hi,
If you do make it across country to Maine…check out staying at Acadia National Park as it is super scenic. There’s the loop road to drive and check out all the great turnouts at the “main attractions” like Otter Cliffs and Thunder Hole, etc. You can enjoy a Maine tradition since the 1920’s and have a pot of tea (or coffee) and fresh baked giant popovers with homemade strawberry jam at a table on the lawn with a view of the pond and mountains at the Jordan Pond House. There are hiking, and biking trails. There’s a sweet beach. Birdwatching is good. A bit of Trivia, Acadia Nat’l Park is the 2nd most visited national park after the Great Smokies. And I bet you thought Yellowstone was in the top 2? I’m guessing you would also love the Canadian Maritimes as well. There is a very nice car ferry with overnight cabins called the Nova Star that runs daily in season from Portland, ME to Yarmouth, NS. You could see if they would have room to transport The Beast.
Before I leave Maine and head west I want to spend some time re-visiting Acadia and the Maritimes.
Thank you for your beautiful, inspiring, and very informative blog.
Safe journeys,
CateW
Arcadia is one of the National Parks I’d love to see, especially since it’s one of the very few that allows dogs on the trails (huge bonus for us). We have friends who are out there right now and it looks lovely. I’d so enjoy that area, and also the trip up to Nova Scotia. Beautiful country out there, plus lots of cool lighthouses. One day for sure!
Nina
Hi Nina, We stayed at Wallowa Lake SP for 10 days in June of 2017. We camped in loop C. Update… the SP just completed two new brand new bath houses with fabulous showers (in loop B & C). We used our weBoost Drive 4G-M Cell Phone Signal Booster for Car, Truck and RV Use with the new weBoost 4G-OTR Truck Cellular Antenna while in loop C. We got 3 bars of Verizon 4G in our campsite. Without the booster, we got 4 bars of 1X. The booster was awesome! Cell phone signal was great as long as the booster was on.
THANK YOU very much for the update! Wonderful.
Nina