Best Campgrounds near Imnaha, OR

Aneroid Lake is one of my favorite locations in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The dispersed camping for backpackers is on the North side of the lake, whereas the South side is private property (Camp Halton). The lake is stocked every few years with rainbow trout, and has a good supply of brook trout.

The water is very cold but worth the dip if it's a hot summer day.

We arrived on a Thursday afternoon in October. There were many spots available along the road leading up to this site. But they were close to the road and we wanted to be off the road. We ended up at the last spot on the road right before the interpretive trail at the end. This spot was tucked into the trees. And once we got our camper backed in, we didn’t even know the road was there. And the VIEW! Wow!! Looking across the lake with the most beautiful sunsets. We stayed for 3 nights. We set up Starlink so we could work on Friday and had no issues with the connection.

The campground had just about everything we hoped for: it was quiet, clean, scenic, on a river, green, had showers, and a fantastic host. The dock right in front of our campsite was a bonus and the river was calm enough to swim in. Limited-range WiFi is available at the light pole at the camp entrance. Great stargazing at night, and we were serenaded by a couple of owls! Perfect location to visit the Hells Canyon Dam or start you rafting trip.

This is a little pullout off route 95. Has about 10-15 feet of separation from main road, which gives privacy and protection from cars. The surface is a gravel and can fit a fairly decent amount of vehicles. The sign says you can camp up to 10 days consecutive, we only stayed for the night and continued on. This is also right on little salmon river.

Lake is beautiful. This campground is what you expect from a state park, appreciated having showers and running water for the day we were there. Plenty to do in and around the lake.

Relatively open and well maintained sites in a forest service campground. We got here July 4th and had no issues finding a site. A bit of a way out but well worth the extra effort.

Great free camping on the Salmon River. We stayed there one night and it was very nice picnicking along the Salmon. The campground has a single vault toilet that was very clean. The campground can accommodate large RVs as it's mostly a large gravel parking lot. We would definitely stay here again.

This is the last year Vali's will be open.  If you've never been head you still have a chance and if you love it as much as we do then this is your last call.  

The campground at Wallowa lake is a great one.  The little town at the far end of the lake is a destination.  So many fun things to do and lot's of great places to eat, but seriously don't miss Vali's (make reservations before you leave home) for dinner and donuts on the weekends.  Amazing food and even more amazing people.
Riding horses in the Eagle Caps is one of my favorite childhood memories.  My parents would never go with me but the guides were always great.  Now I send my kids.  Putt putt golf and go-karts also make for some great memories and are easier for the whole family to enjoy together.  The lake itself is great for skiing and there are several docks to borrow for the day.  Camp and marina staff are pretty friendly and keep the place looking great.  Go to here.

Took my nephews here. The rangers were amazing and full of info that my boys just soaked right up! It really is full of green serene… bathrooms are clean as well as the whole campground.

We love this place... this is our go-to campground and one of our favorites. Kids can go swimming and fishing or just hung out by the water!

I recommend this section of Wallowa-Whitman NF Rd 46 (4600) between Thomason Meadow Guard Station and Buckhorn Lookout because it is grazed less than surrounding areas, and thus has more plant diversity--i.e. great WILDFLOWER BLOOM in the spring. At 5000 feet, June to early July is a peak bloom time.

This is the top of the Imnaha River breaks, and you can see fully down into the BEAUTIFUL canyonlands of the Imnaha and Snake. Birdwatching was good for us out here too, especially raptors. One of the trailheads to the historic Nez Perce Nee -Me-Poo Trail is near this "Camp-1" dispersed spot.*

*One of our maps calls the marked spot "FSR 46 Camp-1," but the dispersed camp sites are all along NF Rd 46 from here north to Buckhorn.

The drive up to this area is well-maintained gravel, and an SUV with decent tires can do it. (We did it with a truck hauling a toy-hauler trailer). Bring all the water and supplies and tools you need--this area is REMOTE.

Take Crow Creek Rd off of Hwy 82 (btwn Enterprise and Joseph). All is paved until your intersection with Zumwalt Road, where you veer R to stay on Zumwalt (aka Zumwalt-Buckhorn Rd). It's gravel after that intersection.

Follow signs to Zumwalt Prairie or Buckhorn Lookout.

Crossing over Zumwalt Prairie is a GORGEOUS drive. The Nature Conservancy has their Zumwalt Prairie Preserve here, and it's a great side trip from the camp spot.

This section of NF-46 road is extremely quiet. Only the occasional ranch vehicle travels through. In fall this is a popular camp area for hunters.

I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because of zero water, zero data, the ecosystem/soil that has been abused in the past (not wilderness), the 50-minute drive to WiFi/ restaurant/ water refill/ black water dump. But if I was comparing primitive camping to primitive camping, this would be a 5 of 5.

I would go back here (in late spring or early fall) in a heartbeat.

The gps for this site was off. It says to take a left at the fork. But the reservoir is to the right. Just follow the posted sign. It was nice and peaceful, tad bit chilly since it’s October. Last year I wasn’t able to get a spot near the lake but there is so many places to boondock up there.

I went to book this for a weekend for a family trip in the summer.. They do not have any tent spots. She was OK with our motorhome and one tent but the minute I said we had two kids and two small tents. She immediately informed me that she would not be renting to us.