ellenbehr wrote:
Any suggestions for the best RV park to access the Hat Point area of Hell's Canyon in OR? I'm finding mixed reviews (expected) but no recent reviews of Wallowa River RV Park in Wallowa nor Park at the River in Joseph. Very mixed reviews for Mountain View RV Park in Joseph.
Would love to hear suggestions, reviews, recommendations from other RVers who've stayed more than a couple of nights in this area. We have a 32' motorhome plus toad. Prefer full-hookups for these longer stays.
Thanks!
We stay'd at "Park at the River" in mid July. In-laws picked it out, as they stayied there before. Every year the "family camping trip" we take turns picking out where and where to camp at. As RV'rs I guess it is normal to check out other parks as you go by them. Here is my take after spending a week.
Maybe not a big thing now but in Sept but look at Google maps and at the other parks and look for shade. Park at the river has many shaded spots and people that have been "grandfathered in" to staying there longer than you or I can now. Some people used to spend the hole summer there. Not our style to spend that much time at one park, but some do and they wanted to spend it there. The park across street and south a little behind the go cart track is pretty humble and no shade and looks depressing to us along with dust from horse rental place and go karts. State park has the normal problems and complaints with (alcohol and smoke from fires, etc) Do the museum in Joseph. Small but very good for what they have. Very good story of how a bank robber becomes the mayor.
"Park at the River" very, very good and we would go back. Every park has at least one down side, so here is my only down side. Laundry room are very clean, but dryers take forever to dry. I would of liked a small fire, but no fire rings. But that also prevents the green wood and trash burners. So I guess a plus overall of not being smoked out.
If your into history, learn the difference of "Old" and "young" Chief Joseph. A good book that ties that overall area together is:
In pursuit of the Nez Perces as reported by Gen O.O. Howard, Duncan McDonald, Chief Joseph ISBN 978-0-945519-06-5
$17.00 at Hells Gate State Park at Lewiston and Clark Interpretive center in Lewiston ID.
http://www.lctoday.com/cultural/Museums/lclarkdisccenterhellsgate.htmWe generally like more "remote" camping but Park at the River is "A+"
Also might help you:
http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2014/06/hells_canyons_three_drive-to_v.html and do more searches on the web site, they have a lot of info. (EDIT) don't know if I put in right link but at Hells Gate State park there is museum with a store that has couple books to sell along with other tourist stuff.
You don't say which way your going after that, but the road Joseph OR area to Lewiston Clarkston area takes some thought, you'll be using some of your brakes and some lower gears. If your also doing Clarkston/Lweiston area the Clarkston Walmart (across from Costco) was not the usual Walmart but very clean and we would stay again. Only problem we had was not with Walmart people but RV people, a big new class A few spots down, the "newbie" rolled over in his sleep on his "panic" button key fob thing and his horn went off in middle of night several times. At Hells Gate state park, just outside is a dump, no fee, well you already paid for it in lic fees. (Not a part of state park, just outside of state park) And other very nice parks in area.
http://www.hellscanyon.net/ We were staying 3 nights and days all planned so didn't get regular resort/camping spot and black topped it at Walmart, very nice and all for free other than above mentioned problem with newbie class A guy.
Any other questions PM I'll answer if I can be of help.
2003 Majestic 23P... Northwest travel machine
2013 Arctic Fox 25W... Wife "doll house" for longer snowbird trips
2001 "The Mighty Dodge"... tow vehicle for "doll house"
