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Established Camping

Powell Campground

About

USDA Forest Service

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Overview

Powell Campground provides direct access to the Lochsa Wild and Scenic River, one of Idaho's most scenic waterways. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness lies on the opposite side of the river. The campground is within walking distance of a small general store, fuel, lodging and a restaurant. The Powell Ranger Station is nearby as well, but all visitor services have moved to Lolo Pass Visitor Center.

Recreation

The Lochsa River provides visitors with opportunities for fishing and other water-related recreation. Cutthroat and rainbow trout, Chinook salmon and steelhead swim in the clear waters. The Lochsa is world-famous for its exciting whitewater rafting opportunities. A permit is not necessary to float the river, but technical expertise is a must. A variety of hiking and horseback riding trails are available in the wilderness area. The 1.5-mile Powell Complex Trail begins near the campground and leads west through cool, shady cedar and larch trees, making for a relaxing day trip. Hunting is also a popular activity in the rugged and primitive landscape. Highway 12, also known as the Lewis and Clark Highway, winds along the narrow river canyon through evergreen trees and past large rock outcroppings. Visitors enjoy the scenic drive and historic sites along the way.

Facilities

The Lochsa River provides visitors with opportunities for fishing and other water-related recreation. Cutthroat and rainbow trout, Chinook salmon and steelhead swim in the clear waters. The Lochsa is world-famous for its exciting whitewater rafting opportunities. A permit is not necessary to float the river, but technical expertise is a must. A variety of hiking and horseback riding trails are available in the wilderness area. The 1.5-mile Powell Complex Trail begins near the campground and leads west through cool, shady cedar and larch trees, making for a relaxing day trip. Hunting is also a popular activity in the rugged and primitive landscape. Highway 12, also known as the Lewis and Clark Highway, winds along the narrow river canyon through evergreen trees and past large rock outcroppings. Visitors enjoy the scenic drive and historic sites along the way.

Natural Features

Lochsa is a Nez Perce word meaning "rough water." The 70-mile river and its tributaries have no dams and the flow is unregulated from its headwaters near the Powell Ranger Station in the Bitterroots, to Lowell, where it joins the Selway River to form the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River. The Lochsa is one of the world's best for continuous whitewater. The campground is situated in a dense forest in north-central Idaho at an elevation of 3,400 feet. It is across the river from the border of the 1.5-million acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Famed explorers Lewis and Clark passed through on their way to the Pacific Ocean in September of 1805. Elk, deer, moose, bear, cougar and mountain goats make the steep canyon country their home.

Nearby Attractions

A variety of services are available in the rustic resort area near the campground including a general store, lodging, food and fuel. Fishing licenses are also available for purchase. The nearest free dump station is 40 miles west on Highway 12, at the Wilderness Gateway Campground.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (208) 942-3113.

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Location

Powell Campground is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

Directions

The campground is located 160 miles east of Lewiston, Idaho, and 60 miles southwest of Missoula, Montana. From Lowell, travel east on Highway 12 for about 65 miles, to milepost 162.

Coordinates

46.51226 N
114.7172188 W

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Access

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

Stay Connected

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

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • WiFi
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

10 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 7, 2022

Nice quiet USFS campground

This campground is right on the Lochsa River behind Lochsa Lodge. Some sites are reservable and some are FCFS. The river there is gorgeous. If you have a side by side there are lots of places to explore nearby. And if you don’t feel like cooking, you can run up to the Lochsa Lodge restaurant for a meal.

Site29 A. it was FCFS and we lucked out
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Maggie  C., September 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Maggie  C., September 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Maggie  C., September 7, 2022
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2021

Shady, spacious, private. Access to river, trails.

The RV sites are level and have lots of shade and privacy. This is the kind of campground you want to stay a few days to relax in. There are communal water spigots, but they are not threaded so you can’t screw on a hose to refill your tanks. The pit toilets actually smell good, provided people follow directions to leave the lid shut.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Oct. 8, 2020

Well spaced out, private spots

We stayed here for one night in early October and the campground was 1/3 filled. We were lucky enough to still find an open spot close to the river. The campground has 30+ sites, but they are well separated and it feels very private. The first loop has electricity, the second doesn’t. River access isn’t great, but it’s nice to hang out on the ridge above the river.

Site29
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Julian P., October 8, 2020
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Julian P., October 8, 2020
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Julian P., October 8, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2020

Powell Campground - National Forest

July 8-9, 2019 Beautiful campground. Smells like Christmas. Lochsa Lodge is within walking distance and very good. Site A016 had electric. There is water at the Rangers Station to fill fresh water tank. $10 per night with lifetime senior pass. There were flush and vault toilets. Pay showers $5 were available at the Lochsa Lodge. The dump station was 35 miles away. No cellular service. Lodge does have wifi.

  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Annell N., August 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Annell N., August 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Annell N., August 22, 2020
  • (16) View All
Reviewed Jul. 23, 2020

Nice little campground

Good spots that aren’t to close to each other. $14.00 without electricity. $20 with power. The lochsa lodge has brekkie and a small general store with gasoline.

  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Johnathan I., July 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Johnathan I., July 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Johnathan I., July 23, 2020
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2020

Well maintained site near the river

After passing through a few other sites in MT that were full and lackluster we came across this site and pulled in late in the evening.

The site was large, contained a picnic table and fire pit with cooking grate, and had plenty of trees for hammocking. The campground is bordered on one side by the Lochsa River and the other side by the Powell Ranger station and Lochsa Lodge.

$14/day to camp and I think $20 if you need an RV hookup. This campsite also has a dumpster which is helpful as the sites we were using for the prior week did not.

Reviewed Jun. 28, 2019

Amazing best kept secret

Ummm...where do I start. We stayed here June 2019 with a creek rushing nearby that made for amazing sleep. Quiet during the weekend, we stopped by here one night for camping. I would recommend picking up groceries or wood in Lolo, MT if needed because not much on hwy 12 on the way there. The camp host kept the area clean and was available if needed. Definitely recommend this campsite if driving in.

Reviewed Jun. 8, 2018

Beautiful Campground

Powell Campground is a beautiful campground just over the Montana border on Hwy 12 right alongside the Lochsa River. There are two loops of campsites tent and RV pull in or back in camping with electricity that can accommodate up to a 45 ft camper. An amphitheater, large group campsite, picnic area, beautiful walking trails and most of all the beautiful Lochsa Lodge. A market with the friendliest people, cabins to rent and of course the beautiful Lochsa River. Lewis and Clark camped along the Lochsa and walked right through the campground.Deer, Elk and Bear sightings are common.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 27, 2017

Beautiful campground adjacent to blue ribbon fishing

Great 34 site campground with electric and non-electric sites. Some are reservable, while others are first come, first served. The spaces are large and have many huge trees so a sense of privacy exists; some sites are right on the Lochsa River. The bathrooms are fancy; there are flush toilets and sinks. There are even logs at each site to split for campfires. Really a nice spot. Highly recommended.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Gretchen B., June 27, 2017
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Gretchen B., June 27, 2017
  • Review photo of Powell Campground by Gretchen B., June 27, 2017
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the max vehicle length at Powell Campground?

Powell Campground allows vehicles up to 200 feet.

Does Powell Campground have wifi?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Powell Campground does have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Powell Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is poor, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is good.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Powell 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 Powell Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Powell Campground, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Powell Campground?

There are 34 campsites at Powell Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts