Lake Owyhee State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Peace, quiet, and solitude are all yours to be had at Lake Owyhee State Park in eastern Oregon near the state line with Idaho. The park's remote location is far from any type of urban development, helping ensure that visitors have a tranquil, rustic experience. The completion of the irrigation dam on the Owyhee River here in 1932 helped create Lake Owyhee. On this lake, you can partake in activities that include fishing and boating. Other activities available include camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Nights are cool for most of the year, and temperatures can drop below freezing in the fall and winter, but daytime highs are mild to hot.
Spring 42-76 F
Summer 50-88 F
Fall 28-51 F
Winter 25-46 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Owyhee State Park
The park offers two campgrounds. The McCormack Campground, open from April 15th through October 31st, features 29 RV sites with water and electrical hookups. There are two ADA camping sites here. This campground also has nine tent sites. Amenities include water, a dump station, flush toilets, hot showers, and firewood and ice for sale.
The Indian Creek Campground has 22 RV sites with both water and electrical hookups; two of these are ADA sites. This campground also has two cabins, one handicap-accessible and one pet-friendly. There's potable water here, and you can also purchase firewood and ice as well as marine fuel. Clean the catch of the day at the fish cleaning station.
What to Do at
Lake Owyhee State Park
The 53-mile-long lake gives visitors plenty of opportunities for boating and fishing, the two primary activities. Fish stocked in the reservoir include catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie. Launch your boat from the ramps at either of the two campgrounds. The park also features a number of hiking trails, and cyclists can ride their bikes on park roads.
During your visit, you can enjoy a range of activities, from fishing and wildlife viewing to exploring the area via biking and hiking trails.
Fishing
Some fish to try and catch here include white and black crappie, catfish, rainbow trout, and largemouth bass. The park mainly offers warm-water fishing.
Nature Watching
You'll have chances to spot all sorts of wildlife at the park. See bighorn sheep, coyotes, wild horses, ground squirrels, mule deer, rabbits, and rattlesnakes.
Hiking
Take the 4-mile Indian Creek Trail for great views of Lake Owyhee and the nearby mountain ranges. Some of the shorter, easier hikes include the Slocum Creek Campground Loop and the Painted Canyon Rim Walkway. More strenuous trails include the Juniper Gulch Hike and the Blue Basin Overlook Trail.
Boating
Use one of the park's boat ramps, located in each campground, to launch your craft out on the lake. Note that you might need a Waterway Access permit and/or an Aquatic Invasive Species permit, depending on the type of boat you have. Check the website of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife for specifics on when to get these permits.
Biking
You can ride your bike along the park's main roads. Just make sure to go with the traffic flow, not against it.
How to Get to
Lake Owyhee State Park
Directions from Nyssa, OR: In downtown Nyssa, drive west on Main Street; at the intersection of OR-201 and US-26, turn left onto 201 and drive for 3.1 miles. OR-201/Adrian Blvd will become Clark Blvd; make a left here to stay on OR-201 and continue for 4.9 miles. Turn right on Owyhee Avenue and drive for 4 miles. At Owyhee Lake Road, turn left and go for 20.5 miles to the park's entrance.
Entering Lake Owyhee State Park
Lake Owyhee State Park stays open for day-use purposes year-round, but camping is only available from March 1st through November 14th. There's boat and trailer parking in addition to overflow parking at Indian Creek Campground. Parts of Owyhee Lake Road are steep and narrow, so take your time driving with your RV.
There's no charge to visit Lake Owyhee State Park for day-use purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Owyhee State Park
The park stays open year-round but is only open from March through mid-November for camping. If you wish to camp here, come visit anytime from spring through fall.
Watch for animals like coyotes, wild horses, rattlesnakes, mule deer, golden eagles, and rabbits. If you're fortunate, you could spot a mountain lion.
McCormack Campground has 29 sites with water and electrical hookups, and Indian Creek Campground has 22 sites with water and electrical hookups.
It's not required that you reserve your campsite, but you can do so up to six months in advance if you choose. Oregon residents will pay a little less than non-residents for camping spots. Electric and water sites at the park's two campgrounds cost $24-$35 for residents and $30-$44 for non-residents.
The park does permit dogs. Keep your dog on a 6-foot leash at all times, clean up after it, and keep it under control while at the park.