Recreation area

Bear Creek Trailhead

Wallowa Whitman National Forest · Oregon — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

This trailhead provides access to Bear Creek Trail #1653, Washboard Trail #1680, Stanley Ridge Trail #1677, and Dobbin Creek Trail #1654 within Eagle Cap Wilderness. Bear Creek runs along the entire trail, with many places to fish. The scenery is beautiful in this glacially formed drainage. The first three or four miles are open terrain. Views along the trail gradually change from flower filled meadows to scattered pines and a dense forest canopy. The trail along Bear Creek is gentle with no major streams to cross. Campsites can be found at Boundary Campground which offers picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, but no developed drinking water. Due to the open nature of the basin, there are many opportunities for dispersed camping along the trail. Historical sites may be observed along the way. You will ride or hike along mountain ridges, viewing spectacular scenery. This route transgresses into meadows, mountain peaks, forested scenery and rocky hillsides. Water is available on trail #1653, but be prepared when traveling over trail #1680 to have your own drinking water. Horse users should be experienced if traveling over trail #1680. View a printable information sheet on Bear Creek Trails 1653, 1680, 1677, and 1654 with map. (PDF File)

Getting there

From Enterprise, Oregon travel northwest on State Highway 82 for 18 miles to Wallowa, Oregon; In Wallowa look for Boundary Campground signs and turn left on First Street and go 0.4 miles; Turn left on North Bear Creek Road and go 1.2 miles (road make several turns); Turn left onto Forest Raod 8250 and go 6 miles; Turn right onto Forest Road 040 and go 0.8 miles to trailhead which is past Boundary Campground. The last 7 miles are gravel.

Activities

  • HIKING
  • HORSEBACK RIDING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more Oregon camping

Bear Creek Trailhead doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Oregon campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.