3.5511 reviews
Price
$10/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
16 campsites
Season
Open seasonally from...
Cell
No Service
Pets
Check Policy
Price
$10/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
16 campsites
Season
Open seasonally from...
Cell
No Service
Pets
Check Policy
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Blackhorse Campground, Forest Road 39, near Imnaha River, Oregon
Anglers after Imnaha River rainbow and brook trout will find the riverside access immediate and the sites large enough for gear-heavy setups. At $10 a night with strong natural screening between spots, it's one of the quieter deals in the Wallowa-Whitman.
No potable water on-site is a real logistical hurdle: you'll need to haul from Ollokot Campground half a mile south or stock up in Joseph, 29 miles out. No showers, no hookups, no cell signal at camp, and it's first-come only, so holiday weekends are a gamble.
Reference information about Blackhorse Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Situated along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway and Wild and Scenic Imnaha River, Blackhorse Campground offers campsites for both tents and trailers/RVs. Popular activities include; fishing in the river, picnicking, exploring along the byway, visiting interpretive and historic sites in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, and hunting during the fall big game seasons.</p>
The elevation is 4,000 ft. The campground, pack it in, pack it out, stretches along the Wild and Scenic Imnaha River. Campsites are tucked in among a pleasant, dense mixture of conifers, including Ponderosa pine and firs. The understory of grass and various shrubs give the campground a soft, luxurious feel. The heavy understory provides good privacy. The River can be heard throughout the campground. Hells Canyon Overlook is 7 miles from campground and is a nice day trip.
Open May 15 through October 31 - weather dependent
Drinking water available at nearby Ollokot campground, 0.5 miles south on Forest Route 39.
Parking aprons are gravel and all about the same size. There are gray water disposal sites scattered throughout campground. Note: A second pass through campground will require large rigs to exit and re-enter at campground's entrance.
In Joseph, OR, at the intersection of State Rts. 82 and 350, take Rt. 350 east 8 miles to Hells Canyon Overlook sign. Turn right at sign, following Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, onto Wallowa Mt. Rd. and go 29.6 miles to campground on left. Note: Wallowa Mt Rd. becomes Forest Rt. 39 at the Forest's boundary.
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Summer delivers the most reliable weather and full access to the Imnaha River corridor. Expect warm, sunny days in the mid-60s to mid-80s°F and cool nights in the 40s to 50s°F. River fishing, scenic drives along the Hells Canyon Byway, and long daylight hours make July through August ideal for camping, day hikes, and evening campfires. Crowd levels rise in mid-summer, especially on weekends, but the forested sites still feel secluded compared with lower-elevation recreation areas. The campground closes in winter when snow blankets the high country.
Summer offers most reliable weather and full access; peak season June–September.
Blackhorse Campground offers basic amenities for a rustic camping experience. Picnic tables are available at each campsite, and the campground is equipped with vault toilets that are wheelchair accessible. However, potable water is not available on-site; campers can find drinking water 0.5 miles south at Ollokot Campground. Restrooms are maintained but without modern facilities such as flush toilets or hot showers.
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