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Established Camping

Ohara Bar Campground

Ohara Bar Campground, near Kooskia, Idaho, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying some riverfront fun. With spacious sites that can accommodate multiple tents and vehicles, it’s perfect for families or groups wanting to spread out and relax.

This campground boasts easy access to the Selway River, making it a prime location for swimming, floating, or just lounging by the water. Visitors have noted that the river's slower current and natural pools created by river rocks make for a comfortable swimming experience. Clean bathrooms and drinking water are available, ensuring you have the essentials covered during your stay.

Outdoor activities abound in the area, with options for biking, hiking, and horseback riding along scenic trails. The campground is also a great base for exploring the stunning Selway Falls nearby. As one camper put it, “The Selway is one of the most beautiful places in Idaho,” and this campground is a solid choice for anyone looking to experience its beauty firsthand.

While it can get busy during peak times, the overall vibe remains peaceful, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer adventure, Ohara Bar Campground offers a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of opportunities for fun.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Overview

O'Hara Campground sits along the Selway River amid lush vegetation and old cedar trees. This is the largest campground on the Selway, with 32 sites, and makes a great base for exploring all the recreational activities and attractions in the area. *Water is currently unavailable at this campground as it is under maintenence for the 2024 season. Water and dump station can be found at Cedar Flats, 1.5 miles from campground on Selway Road.

Recreation

The Selway River is a destination fly fishing experience for cutthroat and rainbow trout and is also well-known for whitewater rafting. Several trailheads for hiking and biking can be accessed from Selway River Road and lead into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area.

Natural Features

In the heart of north central Idaho, rugged peaks, deep canyons, dense forests and remote wilderness comprise the Nez Perce National Forest. Due in large part to dramatic elevational differences, the forest supports a wide variety of vegetation, from cedar groves to desert ecosystems. O'Hara is located in the Selway Wild and Scenic River Corridor, an area known for its rugged natural beauty and wildlife.

Nearby Attractions

An 11 mile sightseeing drive from Lowell to Selway Falls offers visitors opportunities to appreciate the pristine beauty of the Selway Wild and Scenic River and picturesque Selway Falls. O'Hara is near the Fenn Ranger Station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Location

Ohara Bar Campground is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

Directions

The campground is located 7 miles off U.S. Highway 12 at Lowell, Idaho, on Selway River Road 223.

Address

Fenn Ranger Station, 831 Selway Rd
Kooskia, ID 83539

Coordinates

46.0875 N
115.5138889 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Poor
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 2, 2020

Quiet, easy river access, spacious camp spots

Camped here over 4th of July weekend. Beautiful, quiet area, camps spots are spacious and well distanced. Dogs allowed, bathrooms were nice and clean, easy access to the river. For how popular it was, it was a nice quiet stay. Easy to reserve a camp spot. We easily fit 4 tents and 3 vehicles in the area. Plenty of space for 3 dogs as well. Firewood was easily found, campfire ring was already there.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Ohara Bar Campground by Laura , September 2, 2020
  • Review photo of Ohara Bar Campground by Laura , September 2, 2020
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2019

Wild and scenic

The Selway is one of the most beautiful places in Idaho, and this campground is a good place to stay on your visit! There are plenty of sites (32) to stay at, however it can tend to get crowded, so I recommend reserving a spot ahead of time. The crowds are really the only downside to this site (if you prefer more quiet and privacy) but fortunately there are other sites along the river that are also great spots to camp. This campsites has plenty of amenities and many of the sites are pretty accessible. This is a great place for families, people with limited mobility, and the elderly to visit. There are vault toilets, potable water, and bear-proof dumpsters that serve the whole camp. Individual sites should all have tent spots, picnic tables, and a fire ring. The loop around the campsite is paved. Kids and families often ride their bikes around the loop. Like much of central Idaho, the wildlife includes black bears and rattlesnakes, so remember to be cautious and aware of our wilder friends! The area offers a great variety of recreation opportunities. Slower areas of the river offer great swimming, and the Lower Selway makes a great day trip on kayaks or rafts. There is lots of biking, hiking, and horseback riding along the river and through the mountains. Selway Falls are beautiful and a really fun stop.

  • Review photo of Ohara Bar Campground by Celine K., October 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Ohara Bar Campground by Celine K., October 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Ohara Bar Campground by Celine K., October 31, 2019
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2019

Family Fun

My family has been camping here for years. There is plenty of room to explore and have a good time. It is also just a few miles away from Fenn pond for the more leisure fisherman.

Reviewed Jun. 8, 2019

Great river access

This campground directly borders the river with many sites sitting just feet from it. There are some pools built from river rock that allow for the water to warm to a comfortable temperature before the rest of the river does, making swimming much more feasible. The river is wide here, with a relatively slower current. If you're here to float the river, this is a perfect pull out/put in spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Ohara Bar Campground?

    Camping at Ohara Bar Campground can cost between $14.00 and $33.97 depending on the site.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Ohara Bar Campground?

    Ohara Bar Campground allows vehicles up to 45 feet.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Ohara Bar Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Ohara Bar Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Ohara Bar Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Ohara Bar Campground?

    There are 32 campsites at Ohara Bar Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts