Wallowa Lake State Park park
Wallowa Lake State Park
Reasons to Visit:
1. Scenic Beauty: Wallowa Lake State Park is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, surrounded by the towering Wallowa Mountains and a sparkling blue lake.
2. Recreational Activities: The park offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, picnicking, wildlife watching, and even mini-golf.
3. Wildlife: Visitors have the opportunity to spot a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, elk, mountain goats, bald eagles, and osprey.
4. Historic Tramway: The Wallowa Lake Tramway, situated within the park, provides an exhilarating gondola ride to the summit of Mount Howard, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
Points of Interest:
1. Wallowa Lake: The lake itself is a major attraction, offering opportunities for boating, canoeing, paddleboarding, and swimming in the crystal-clear waters.
2. Wallowa Lake Tramway: A popular attraction, the tramway provides stunning views of the lake and offers access to hiking trails, alpine meadows, and picnic areas at the summit.
3. Hiking Trails: The park boasts a variety of scenic hiking trails, including the Lakeshore Trail, Chief Joseph Trail, and Hurricane Creek Trail, offering breathtaking views and opportunities to explore the surrounding wilderness.
Interesting Facts:
1. Wallowa Lake is a natural glacial lake formed during the last ice age, and it is one of the deepest lakes in Oregon, reaching depths of up to 299 feet.
2. The Wallowa Mountains, often referred to as the "Alps of Oregon," are home to several peaks over 9,000 feet high, making them a popular destination for mountaineers and climbers.
3. The park's proximity to the town of Joseph allows visitors to explore local galleries and shops showcasing Native American arts and crafts, as well as the rich history and culture of the region.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Wallowa Lake State Park is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is warmer and most recreational activities are available. However, the park offers year-round beauty and opportunities for winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Sources:
1. Oregon State Parks: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=84
2. The Outbound Collective: https://www.theoutbound.com/oregon/hiking/hike-the-wallowa-lake-tramway
3. Travel Oregon: https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/parks/wallowa-lake-state-park/
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Wallowa Lake State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallowa Lake State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Hurricane Creek | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Hurricane Creek Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Campsites | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Two Pan | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Two Pan Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Wallowa Lake State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Wallowa Lake State Park
What can I do at Wallowa Lake State Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Wallowa Lake State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Wallowa Lake State Park.