By:
Submission
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.
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.
The campground offers single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Some sites offer electrical hookups (50 amps) and parking surfaces are paved throughout the campground. Additional sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided throughout the campground. An accessible flush toilet is adjacent to the day use area. Firewood is not provided and it is often not available.
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.
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.
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.
Beautiful campground by the river, host was kind to me. Walking distance to the lodge and restaurant made it ideal setup for me on my moto-camping trip.
99 miles of twisty road is heaven for motorcycle riders, it ll be hard to forget that day and i will return again.
Nice campground overall. The proximity of Lochsa Lodge restaurant, general store and Sinclair pump is great since there aren’t any services for many miles. The general store has a pay phone.
The sites themselves are pretty small, especially on the interior circle of sites. Many of the lower level sites, like ours which was A16, are on a grade and it’s difficult to set up for tent camping.
Bathrooms are relatively clean but there was no liquid soap, just a very worn bar of soap.
Now that I’m better prepared, I’d camp here again.
Our space was very nice. Enough trees and space away between campsites you don't feel like your on top of your neighbor. Our spot did not have power but it's ok. The campground was clean, nice walking and bike riding around the loops.
Our dog enjoyed keeping the squirrels, in the trees.
No dump station.
Bathrooms clean,
We will be back.
