Within Wallowa National Forest, PO Saddle Trailhead provides established camping for visitors exploring Oregon's northeastern mountains. The US Forest Service manages this site with a strict no-pets policy, making it unsuitable for travelers with dogs or other animals.
Access requires navigating rough roads, so high-clearance vehicles work better than standard cars. The trailhead location puts campers at the starting point for backcountry routes, though specific trail connections aren't detailed in available records. Buck Creek NRA Trailhead sits 2.3 miles south for those comparing nearby options. Check road conditions before departure, especially during spring snowmelt or after storms.
Description
The PO Saddle Trailhead provides access to the Summit Ridge - Western Rim National Recreation Trail #1774__and the__southern end of the Hells Canyon Wilderness. The facility is a combination trailhead and horse camp with__sites for tents or__pull-through truck and trailer camping. A spectacular view of the canyon is found across the road.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsPO Saddle Trailhead is located in Oregon near Oxbow
Directions
From Enterprise, Oregon travel south on Oregon State 82 towards Joseph for about 6.5 miles; In Joseph turn left on Oregon State 350 and go about 8 miles to the Wallowa Loop Road; Turn right on the Wallowa Loop Road (also known as the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway) and travel on this road which eventually becomes Forest Road 39 for about 31.5 miles (you will go past Blackhorse and Ollokot Campgrounds and cross over the Imnahah River) to Forest Road 3962; Turn left on Forest Road 3962 and go 2.2 miles to Forest Road 025; Turn right on Forest Road 025 and go 0.8 miles to Forest Road 3965; Turn left on Forest Road 3965 and go about 8 miles to the trailhead entrance on the left.From Halfway, Oregon head east out of town for 1 mile on Record Road to Highway 86; Once on Highway 86 go 9 miles to Wallowa Loop Road (also known as Forest Road 39 and Hells Canyon Scenic Byway) towards Enterprise and Joseph; Turn left on the Wallowa Loop Road/Forest Road 39 and travel about 19.5 miles to Forest Road 3965 (This is the road to the Hells Canyon Overlook); On Forest Road 3965 (paved for first 3 miles to overlook) go 13 miles to trailhead entrance on left side of road.\_\_Note: There is a gate at the end of the road that is locked 3 days prior to\_\_bow season (late September) through late June; check with the Wallowa Mountain Visitor Center for the exact dates of gate closure.
Coordinates
45.230298347 N
116.775229057 W
Connectivity
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T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 30 min from Lewiston, ID
- 3 hrs 37 min from Walla Walla, WA
- 3 hrs 37 min from Boise, ID
- 4 hrs 26 min from Kennewick, WA
