The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Located in Idaho and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Steck Park lets you access Brownlee Reservoir through the Snake River. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a government department that maintains and preserves millions of acres of public lands and allows for publid use and recreation. You can camp in Steck Park to enjoy Hell's Canyon from the Idaho side. Nearby, Brownlee Reservoir is 56 miles long with over 13,000 acres of water. The Snake River, which runs through Steck Park, starts in Wyoming and flows through Idaho as a tributary to the Columbia River in Washington state. In addition to supporting a robust recreational scene, it's a crucial source of agricultural water in the region, helping water crops such as sugar beets and potatoes. Hells Canyon straddles Oregon and Idaho at their border for over 650,000 acres of adventure and natural beauty. This land contains the continent's deepest river gorge below, soaring mountain peaks with scenic vistas above, and stretches of wilderness in between where you can go hiking and horseback riding. The town of Weiser, Idaho isn't far from Steck Park and is home to over 5,000 residents. Enjoy quite a few historic gems in this homey town with eating and shopping of a flavor all its own. Start the scenic Weiser River Trail here, or visit during the Oldtime Fiddlers Contest and Festival. Local seniors take their yearbook photos at the historic train depot. The Union Pacific Railroad Depot dates back to 1907 and is still notable for its architecture. Crater Lake National Park in Oregon to the southwest is famous for being the deepest lake in the United States, the result of Mount Mazama collapsing as a volcano nearly 8,000 years ago. Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming to the east doesn't get as much attention as Yellowstone, but you can still enjoy abundant wildlife, stunning vistas, and mountain lakes that are clear as glass.
Along this trail, you'll be treated to gorgeous vistas of Blue Lake, Lake Cascade, and Long Valley. Pack your fishing rod if you want to get some angling in. At the lake, you can also follow a trail around it for three more miles to see a pretty waterfall. Length: 1.3 miles Intensity: Moderate
Find this in-and-out trail close to Council, Idaho. Along the way, you'll visit a hot springs location. March through October are the best months to visit, and you can bring leashed dogs along. The trail is rarely crowded and is a great place for hiking, walking, and birding. Length: 4.5 miles Intensity: Moderate
This trail is on a ridge that overlooks Hells Canyon from the Idaho side. Take this short hike for views from an overlook near a fire-lookout tower. During your hike, you'll pass through gorgeous patches of vibrant mountain flowers and old-growth whitebark pine. Once at the overlook, enjoy a deep view of not just Hells Canyon but also parts of Oregon. Length: 0.8 miles Intensity: Easy
Start this hike from Idaho Route 71 before climbing through Douglas fir and ponderosa pine forest into the Cuddy Mountains. The trail goes to Brownless Campground, surrounded by maple trees and deciduous vegetation. Along the way, you can visit several historic sites, including an old mining structure that used to store crude oil. Length: 2.6 miles Intensity: Hard
This in-and-out trail is at its best from March through October, and you can bring leashed dogs along. Take this hike to get deep into Hells Canyon on a winding path that follows the river. Between Pittsburg Landing and Brush Creek, sections go over rocky slopes, through grassy canyons, and underneath cliffs. Be prepared for rattlesnakes and poison ivy, and treat any water you gather at the few sources available. Length: 28 miles Intensity: Moderate
Few waters in Idaho are fished as heavily as those of the Brownlee Reservoir. Around 10,000 visitors come every year for boating and fishing that includes smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish. Steck Park is a great place to start, thanks to a pair of boat launches.
Get some climbing in at the Weiser Boulders Climbing area. Multiple boulders are waiting for you. They've been climbed a lot already, but the site is still largely undeveloped along several miles with tons of rocks. Expect some difficulty here as you climb quartzite and low-grade metamorphic sandstone rocks.
The Weiser River Trail starts in Weiser and heads for 84 miles through the towns of Council, Cambridge, and Midvale. The Union Pacific Railroad used the railbanking law to deed the land in 1997, and now, this unpaved trail is rife with wildlife. Hike or walk stretches to see wild turkeys, raptors, waterfowl, bears, herons, elk, and deer.
Eagle Island State Park sits on the banks of the Boise River in Eagle, Idaho. Reserve one of four picnic shelters in advance, or just spread out in the grassy picnic area. Charcoal grills, restrooms, and picnic tables are available, and you can enjoy a swimming beach, horseback riding trails, volleyball, fishing, and disc golf.
BLM RV camping is possible at Steck Park on a first-come, first-served basis. Potable water is available for every three sites, and everyone here has access to an RV dump station, fish-cleaning station, and vault toilets. Seasonal camp hosts are available.
Free, dispersed camping is always an option on either side of the state border in this area. On the Idaho side, look for spots around Hitt Mountain, Lake Cascade, and Mann Creek. In Oregon, check out Bully Creek Reservoir for a county park or a dam park on the Owyhee River in Riverview.
Steck Park has limited campsites and no reservations, so have backup plans ready if it's already full when you pull up. Also, check ahead about boating rules on every body of water you might spend time at. Some, such as Eagle Lake, don't allow motorized boats. If you plan on hiking, have long clothes and first aid available for particular plants and animals that you might encounter. Also, keep plenty of water available as some trails have scarce sources of safe hydration available. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Wherever you camp and whatever you do in the area, don't leave an impact other than great memories. Pack your trash out, and only dump your tanks at proper RV stations. Practice the "Leave No Trace" guidelines. Obey local fire regulations, too. Snake River is a crucial tributary to the Columbia, and many citizens and farmers in the region rely on these waters to stay as clean as possible for their livelihoods.
From Weiser, Idaho, start west on Pioneer Road. Make a right turn on Old Hwy 70 and follow that for 2.8 miles. Then, make another right turn, this time on Jonathan Road. Follow that for one mile before making a left turn on Olds Ferry Rd. Travel this for 15.3 miles before making a left turn. After 200 feet, Steck Park will be on your left. Address: Olds Ferry Road, Weiser, ID 83672 Ready to visit Steck Park? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
