Cabin camping near Orofino, Idaho provides access to the Clearwater River and Dworshak Reservoir. The region sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation and experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly reaching 90°F in July and August. Winter cabin stays often see temperatures below freezing with occasional snowfall from November through March.
What to do
Fishing from shore: Fish for smallmouth bass at Three Meadows Group Camp, where the fishing opportunities extend beyond the main reservoir. "We had water and electric. Cool little guided nature trail for an evening walk with our little one to learn about animal tracks," notes Greg G.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for diverse wildlife around Freeman Creek at Dworshak State Park. The area supports multiple species throughout the year. "Day use parking is available for a small fee. For Idaho residents with the State Parks pass reduces the fee. A lot of wildlife viewing too! If you are lucky you may see a black bear feeding on blackberries, deer are numerous, elk frequent the lake," shares Cody B.
Kayaking on calmer waters: Winchester Lake State Park offers calm waters ideal for beginner paddlers and fishing enthusiasts. The lake has restrictions that create peaceful conditions. "Beautiful setting. Nice campsite options, tent, RV, and yurt. Nice place to ride bikes, fish, hike, and relax," explains Kendra M.
Hiking nature trails: Canyon Creek offers secluded hiking options with lake views. "Very quiet, overlooking the lake. Clean vault toilets. Boat ramp. 4 miles of rough gravel road with tight turns," reports Mitch C.
What campers like
Private sites: Canyon Creek offers more secluded camping experiences than many other options. "My site was gorgeous, looking out over the lake! The Campground was very clean and quiet. Vault toilet was well maintained. Swimming in the lake at the foot of a mountain was sublime," reports Angie B.
Clean facilities: Winchester Lake State Park Campground maintains well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. "The bathrooms are pit but are kept very clean!" notes Marian J., while Nancy C. adds, "There are vault toilets throughout the campground with one building that houses flush toilets and 2 shower stalls. They are older but squeaky clean."
Family reunions: Three Meadows Group Camp accommodates larger family gatherings with adequate space and amenities. "We stayed in a cabin for two nights in late June 2021 and had an awesome time! Lots of great tent and RV campsites in a nicely maintained park! They have ONE handicapped cabin and 3 regular! Bathrooms are pit style but kept very clean!" shares Marian J.
Waterfront access: Chief Timothy Park provides direct water access from multiple points around the island. "Chief Timothy is a great campground about 7 Miles outside of Clarkston, WA. Perfect location for swimming, kayaking, and fishing! There is also a trail all the way around the island for hiking/walking with great views!" explains Chellsea W.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some cabin sites requires navigating challenging roads. About Canyon Creek, Isaac C. notes, "Me and some buddies went for a weekend and there was only 1 other couple there the whole time. Super quiet, you feel like you're alone from the rest of the world."
Seasonal water levels: Reservoir levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year, affecting access and activities. "No one is here on a beautiful October long weekend Saturday. I can see why. The reservoir level is way down! Just getting to the water is a challenge," Brett B. comments about Canyon Creek.
Booking timeline: Reserve cabins well in advance, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods. Winchester Lake State Park stays particularly busy. "There are 46 water and electric sites and 22 standard sites. Most sites are wooded and private. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The lake is perfect for kayaking and fishing," explains Brock W.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between cabin locations. For Canyon Creek, Kristi D. reports, "Beautiful secluded location. Very clean bathroom. I could make and receive phone calls but no internet service with Verizon."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Chief Timothy Park offers dedicated play areas for children. "The Kids loved this park, we just spent the day hanging out fishing and playing at the park when we went to Lewiston to Visit our daughter. Was perfect because it's on the Washington side so my husband's fishing license was valid," shares Brenda S.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programs specifically designed for children. At Three Meadows Group Camp, Greg G. appreciated the "cool little guided nature trail for an evening walk with our little one to learn about animal tracks."
Swimming areas: Designated swimming locations provide safer water access for children. Regarding Chief Timothy Park, Craig S. notes: "Chief Timothy Park sits on a 282-acre island on Lower Granite Lake in the Snake River. The Park is known as the gateway to Hells Canyon Recreation Area, the deepest river gorge in North America and an area of striking scenery."
Group cabin options: Kamiah/Clearwater River KOA offers cabin options that work well for families needing more amenities. "We had a wonderful time!! People are so friendly!! Nice shade trees all over, pool was great! Bathrooms where clean!!" reports Eugenia W.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Winchester Lake State Park campsites may require adjustment equipment. "The sites are somewhat level. Easily adjusted to make them work," explains Nancy C.
Road access challenges: The drive to some cabin locations requires careful planning. Agnes B. warns about Freeman Creek: "Google maps wrecked us- I selected 'quickest route' and had NO warnings that we would be driving up the narrowest gravel road with a 11% incline!!!! We have a diesel F350 but towing a big 5th wheel made it horrifying."
Hookup availability: Premier RV Resort at Granite Lake offers full-service sites as an alternative to more rustic cabin options. "Very friendly staff that keeps the facilities clean. Full hookups with lots of pull through spaces if needed. We fully utilized the bike path along the river each day for nice long rides into Idaho and back to Washington," shares Brad.
Seasonal access: Some cabin locations have limited seasonal availability. Jennifer R. notes about Winchester Lake: "We pulled our 40ft RV up here and had a great time! Not full hookups but lots of fishing we caught: blue gill, trout, bass, crappie, perch, cat fish and had a small Tiger Muskie on the line but lost it."
