Minam State Recreation Area

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

A two-mile gravel road off Highway 82 leads into Minam State Recreation Area, and reviewers with larger rigs flag it as narrow enough to require careful navigation. The campground sits directly alongside the Minam River in Wallowa, Oregon, and operates on a first-come, first-served basis at a low nightly fee. No cell service reaches the campground, so plan accordingly before leaving town. Sites include a mix of concrete pads and grassy spots, with several positions along the riverbank filling fastest during summer weekends.

Fishing draws consistent attention from visitors, particularly during trout season, and swimmers use the river on warm days. The open layout means limited privacy between sites, and day-use traffic from rafters and anglers keeps activity levels up on weekends. Osprey have been spotted hunting the river, and deer regularly move through the campground. Apple trees on the property attract butterflies and bees throughout the warmer months, and reviewers note that rattlesnakes and bears have been sighted in the area, so awareness on foot is warranted.

Amenities include drinking water, toilets cleaned daily during peak season, picnic tables, and firewood. RVs up to 50 feet can access water hookups, though no electrical hookups are available. Sara S. notes the apple trees bring "tons of butterflies and bees to the campground." Nearby, BLM Wallowa and Grande Ronde Wild and Scenic Rivers provides additional access to the surrounding river corridors. Campers looking for campsites near Wallowa will find this one of the more river-accessible options in the valley. Arrive early on summer weekends to secure a spot on the water.

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Air Quality at this campground may currently be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsMinam State Recreation Area is located in Oregon near Wallowa

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Located on the banks of the Wallowa River, Minam offers a pristine environment for rafters and anglers. The park is 2 miles north of Highway 82 below the confluence of the Minam and Wallowa rivers.

Address

72505 OR 82
Wallowa, OR 97885

Coordinates

45.62130812 N
117.72485436 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Yurts

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


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Reviews10 Camper Reviews - Minam State Recreation Area

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4.5

out of 5

10 Reviews

Numerous guests pointed out the spacious riverside location with clean facilities and exceptional value at $6-10/night. Limited privacy between sites and potential crowding during peak times, but most found it peaceful and well-maintained.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed May. 14, 2023

River tent camping

We stayed in one of the few tent spots on the water. The backdrop is stunning and the water is close enough falling asleep to it is relaxing. It’s a little small overall and would be cramped if the park was full.

Site5
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Sep. 20, 2021

Minam State Campground

What a gem to find while looking for a place to stay without reservations. This state park is first come first serve and cost $10/night. There are four great spots by the river for RV's. There are a couple of nice spots for tenting and a couple RV spots in the grass. There are about 6 spots for RV's to back into with water near by. There is no power in any of the spots. There is usually enough space in the trees to allow for solar to recharge the batteries. Only one person ran a generator while we were there for 4 nights. Will be going back again! Great fishing along the river. Need to be on the look out for bears, as this was a homestead place many years ago and they have apple trees on the property. Saw one dead rattle snake and a small baby one on the road while walking. There is no cell service at the campground.

Site#4
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Rod D., September 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Rod D., September 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Rod D., September 20, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2021

Beautiful Location

Quiet spot on a beautiful river. No hookups. Some of the sites had concrete pads, but I took a grassy spot. Walked down to the river where there's a short trail. Watched the osprey fish and saw some rafters float by. Was told to look out for rattle snakes, but didn't see any.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Kathy B., July 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Kathy B., July 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Kathy B., July 9, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 6, 2021

Love The Fishing

I always love camping and fishing the valley, this camping ground is free to use. It is very clean and has great fishing during trout season. Make sure you get here early if you have a rv or trailer during the summer as it’s first come, first serve and locals love the place.

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2020

Great Stop Over Location

This was a great stop over on our way to Wallowa Lake. We stayed for two nights just to explore the area. We found a spot on the weekend and enjoyed a refreshing dip in the river after a hot drive. The park is open so there’s not much privacy between camps. There’s a fair amount of activity with the day use area, rafters and fishermen so you’re not going to be alone if you prefer company of others. During the weekdays it cleared out considerably. The vault toilet bathrooms were cleaned daily and garbage picked up.

Reviewed Aug. 19, 2019

Very clean, nice campground

The location of the campground is off to the left-hand side of highway 82 (if coming from Elgin) and down a long gravel road. The sites are spaced enough to where you aren't crowded but there still isn't much privacy. Apple trees are everywhere, bringing tons of butterflies and bees to the campground. The bathrooms looked well maintained. The river is nice to swim in or for rafts/kayaks but as for fishing, we didn't have much luck aside from mountain whitefish. Overall a good campground for overnight.

Reviewed Oct. 3, 2018

Wow, wow, wow!!!!!!

I had originally intended on staying at one of three closer campgrounds that I ultimately rejected and made the decision to drive on to Minam State Park. Was I ever happy I did. The only downside was the 2 mile, narrow, gravel road into the park. A little bit of a nail biter with a bigger rig. Once there it was a nice size, dry campground with lots of sites to choose from and right next to the gorgeous Minam River. Whitetail doe with 2 fawns frequented the campground. Lots of fishing, some small trails and wound up walking down the dirt road with dogs as there was literally no traffic and the views were so outstanding. Apple trees alongside the dirt road provided a wonderful, unexpected snack.

Site19
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Jill R., October 3, 2018
  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Jill R., October 3, 2018
  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Jill R., October 3, 2018
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2018

Perfect for the fisherman

This place is amazing. Clean, convenient, and right on a productive stretch of the Minam River. Near the confluence of the Minam and Wallowa rivers, this is a perfect base camp for exploring the waters and towns of the Wallowa mountains. An outfitter/camp store sits a half mile upriver, and the towns of Lostine, Wallowa, Enterprise, Joseph, and Elgin are nearby. For $6 (!) you get a great spot literally just a few dozen feet from the water. Fan-freaking-tastic! Oregon parks are the best.

  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Tom B., August 31, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2018

Access to water, but limited privacy between sites

The views from this campsite are great! There is access to great swimming holes from this campground. It is a first come, first serve site with limited vegetation between campers. It can be loud depending on neighboards. Toilets are available, so are build in grills with grates at the bottom on the hill.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Kelly N., July 17, 2018
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  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Kelly N., July 17, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 5, 2016

Favorite campsite

This was our favorite campsite on our roadtrip last year. We did not see the pull off for this one and ended up in a small town that helped us out. there is a building at the front where you can rent stuff and buy stuff. the campsite is huge and open in the middle with trees and beautiful green grass everywhere. we went on a little walking trail that led us down the river. the campground supervisor warned us she had seen a bear miles away. We didnt get to see it. the bathrooms were the usual. a lot of deer got pretty close. It was a quiet spot back off the road with one side being a river and the other being a mountainside. just beautiful and calm .

  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Carter W., July 5, 2016
  • little path
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  • Review photo of Minam State Recreation Area by Carter W., July 5, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities and amenities are available at Minam State Recreation Area campground?

Minam State Recreation Area offers basic but functional amenities including vault toilets and built-in grills with grates at campsites. There's a building at the front where visitors can rent and purchase supplies. The campground features beautiful green spaces with apple trees throughout the area, which attract butterflies and bees seasonally. A river runs through the recreation area, providing excellent swimming holes and fishing opportunities during trout season. While there are no hookups, the campground is well-maintained and clean, with some sites featuring concrete pads.

Is RV camping allowed at Minam State Recreation Area?

Yes, RV camping is allowed at Minam State Recreation Area. The campground offers approximately 10 RV spots, including four premium spots located by the river and others situated on grassy areas or concrete pads. No hookups are available. The access road is a 2-mile narrow gravel road that can be challenging for larger rigs, so drive with caution. Arrive early during peak season as the first-come, first-served system fills quickly, especially on weekends.

How do I access Minam State Recreation Area and what are the camping options?

Access to Minam State Recreation Area is via a 2-mile narrow gravel road off Highway 82 (on the left if coming from Elgin). The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Camping options include RV sites (some with concrete pads and others on grass), tent sites (including prime spots by the river), and open grassy areas. The fee is $10 per night. The campground is spacious with an open layout in the middle area surrounded by trees, though sites offer limited privacy between neighbors.

Are there photos and reviews available for Minam State Recreation Area camping?

Photos and reviews of Minam State Recreation Area are available on various camping platforms and Oregon State Parks' official website. These visual resources showcase the campground's riverside setting, open grassy areas with scattered trees, and the stunning mountain backdrop. Photos typically highlight the river access points, swimming holes, and various campsites including both RV and tent options. Visual content helps potential visitors understand the campground's layout, natural features, and proximity to the Minam and Wallowa rivers before planning their trip.