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The site details and map below come from the public Recreation.gov record and are accurate. For current dates and to book, go to Recreation.gov.
About Powell Campground
Overview
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.
Recreation
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.
Facilities
The campground offers single-family sites for tent and RV camping. The sites in loop A offer electrical hookups (15 amp, 30 amp, and 50 amp.) 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 (spigots are located in 5 sites throughout the campground and are not intended for hooking up to, the sites do not have water hookups) 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.
Natural Features
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.
Nearby Attractions
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.
Getting there
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.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
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FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Powell Campground?
Online reservations for this facility, where offered, are made through Recreation.gov. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper does not currently hold availability data for Powell Campground, so there is nothing to date here. That is a gap in coverage — it does not mean the facility is full or closed. Check Recreation.gov for current dates.
Which sites at Powell Campground fit a 35-foot RV?
20 of the 21 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 200 ft.
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