Idaho Power Campgrounds

     Camping fees at Idaho Power parks in Hells Canyon range from $10 for a tent space to $16 for an RV space. At this time, drinking water has been shut off for the season at all individual campsites, but will be turned on April 1. Potable water is available outside the restroom buildings at Woodhead and McCormick parks ONLY. Visitors to all other locations must bring their own water.

     Discounts are available for campers over 60 and active duty military and veterans, but only if paying by credit card in advance or at the park. Discounts are not available for cash payments. For a full rate schedule, maps, and other park information, visit the Parks link at the Idaho Power website.

     You may now make in-season campsite reservations on-line as much as nine months in advance. There is a fee for reserving on-line, and reservations may be made for visits scheduled between the first Friday in April through the last Sunday in October. A phone reservation option is also available for $15; call 1-844-472-7275.

     Smaller overnight campsites are not included in the reservation system. In Hells Canyon, Carter's Landing and Moonshine Mine remain available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Health Advisory

     Idaho DEQ has issued a health advisory for waters near the Big Bar camping area on Hells Canyon Reservoir and the Woodhead Park area in Brownlee Reservoir. Recent samples indicate high concentrations of toxin-producing cyanobacteria, commonly known as a toxic algae bloom, which can be harmful to people, pets, and livestock. Visitors are urged to use caution when recreating in or near the reservoirs: avoid swimming, wading, or other activities. Keep children, pets, and livestock from the water. Do not drink or cook with water containing a bloom. Boiling and filtering the water can actually increase risk. Wash hands thoroughly after handling fish caught in water experiencing a bloom. Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water, and any internal organs disposed of before consumption. For more information, visit the Idaho DEQ website.

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Water Safety

    If you are going to spend time on the water, the Baker County Sheriff's Office would like to remind boat operators and passengers to pack extra supplies and be prepared for water-related outings. Weather can change drastically in a matter of hours, and water rescues are especially dangerous at night due to decreased visibility and often high winds on the reservoir.

     Be sure to make friends and family members aware of your plans, including departure times and specific travel routes or destinations. This will significantly decrease rescue time if something happens. Plan ahead, be prepared, and enjoy your boating activities.

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​Oregon TripCheck Travel Info

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General Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Information

Brownlee Reservoir Update

    As of July 27, Brownlee Reservoir is at 2062 feet, 15 feet below full pool level of 2077. All area boat ramps are accessible.  For current reservoir elevation information, check the Idaho Power website.

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Burn Ban In Place

     Both Pine and Eagle Valley Rural Fire Protection Districts declared the start of fire season June 9. Due to continued record hot temperatures and no precipitation, there is to be no burning of any kind--no burn barrels, no burn pits, no fire pits, no open burning of debris piles or anything else, in both valleys.

   For fire danger level updates, fire information, maps, and more, go to the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center's website.

     As of Friday, July 16, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has put Phase C Public Use Restrictions into effect. Under this phase, campfires are prohibited; only liquid and bottle gas stoves may be used; chainsaw use is prohibited; internal combustion engines are prohibited except for motorized vehicles; electrical generator use is restricted; smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles and buildings, or in cleared areas; and off-road or off-trail vehicle travel is prohibited, as is travel on roads not cleared of standing grass or other flammable material.

     Restrictions in the Eagle Cap Wilderness prohibit campfires within 100 feet of any lakes or posted wetlands. These restrictions also apply to the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area within a quarter-mile of the Wild and Scenic portions of the Snake River from Hells Canyon Dam to the Oregon-Washington border. Generators are allowed only if fully contained in the bed of a pickup truck or in an area that has been cleared of all flammable material at least 10 feet away. Other internal combustion engines are prohibited except for motor vehicles. Wood stoves and briquette fires are not permitted. Smoking is only allowed in enclosed vehicles, buildings, or closed areas. Vehicle travel is not allowed off developed forest roads and trails.

   With the extreme high temperatures and dry forests, conditions are prime for human-caused wildfires. Forest Service staff ask everyone to be extremely careful when spending time on public lands.

 

Antlerless Elk Damage Tags

    ODFW has announced that a new general season tag will replace 19 controlled hunts and the need to obtain specific landowner damage tags from local ODFW offices. Hunters will need permission to hunt on private land to use this tag, because the majority of land included is privately owned. No application is necessary, and this general season tag is available as long as the hunter has not purchased another tag, such as archery. The season runs August 1 to November 30 in Pine and Eagle valleys. For more information, call the ODFW Baker City Field Office at 541-523-5832, or visit the website.

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ODFW Electronic Licensing System

    ODFW's electronic licensing system allows hunters and anglers to carry their documents electronically on their smart phone or tablet and tag fish and wildlife with a mobile app that will even work off-line. An FAQ about the system is available at the ODFW website.

 

Kirkwood Creek Bridge Closure

  The bridge located at the Kirkwood Historic Ranch about 5.5 miles south of the National Recreation Trail #102 trailhead at Upper Pittsburg Landing is closed. A new bridge is in process, but has yet to be finished and open.

  An alternative crossing for hikers may be available at the footbridge near the mouth of the creek, approximately 300 feet downstream of the closed bridge. This is a small bridge, not suitable for stock use, and high water flows during the spring may submerge the deck at times.

  For more information, contact the Forest Service offices in Joseph (541-426-5546) or Riggins (208-628-3916), or visit the website.

 

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