About this campground
The Eagle Cap Wilderness lies in the heart of the Wallowa Mountains in northeastern Oregon on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. This country was first occupied by the ancestors of the Nez Perce Indian Tribe in 1400 A.D. and later the Cayuse, the Shoshone and Bannocks. The Eagle Cap Wilderness itself was used as hunting grounds for bighorn sheep and deer, to gather huckleberries and was the summer home to the Joseph Band of the Nez Perce tribe. 1860 marked the year the first settlers moved into the Wallowa Valley. In 1930, the Eagle Cap was established as a primitive area. It was designated as wilderness in 1940. The Wilderness Act of 1964 placed the area in the National Wilderness Preservation System. It now totals 359, 991 acres. The Eagle Cap Wilderness is characterized by high alpine lakes and meadows, bare granite peaks and ridges, and U-shaped glaciated valleys. One is constantly reminded that nature operates on her own terms with her own rhythms that may not match our structural lives. Each season comes and goes bringing with it new challenges and adventures. We truly hope you will find these experiences here and carry with you a memory that will last a life time. These memories can only be left to future generations when we all take part in an effort to respect and care for wilderness. Doing your part is vital to the future of Eagle Cap. Please plan your trip carefully, know the current regulations and follow minimum impact practices. Seek specific information from your nearest forest office. Key access points: Trailhead and trail information.
Getting there
The Eagle Cap Wilderness lies five miles southwest of Enterprise and Joseph, Oregon; 25 miles east of La Grande, Oregon; and 20 miles north of Halfway, Oregon. Main Access Points Major Trailheads from the Enterprise, Oregon side Two Pan Trailhead - Minam Lake Trail #1670 and Murphy Creek Trail #1672. Bowman-Francis Lake Trailhead - Bowman Trail #1651 and Frances Lake Trail #1663. Maxwell Lake Trailhead- Maxwell lake Trail #1674. Hurricane Creek Trailhead - Hurricane Trail #1807. Wallowa Lake Trailhead- West Fork #1820 and East Fork #1804 Wallowa Trails. Tenderfoot/Big Sheep Creek Trailhead- Tenderfoot Wagon Road Trail #1819. Indian Crossing Trailhead- South Fork Imnaha Trail #1816. Major Trailheads from the La Grande, Oregon side Moss Springs Trailhead- Lackeys Hole Trail #1942 and Horse Ranch #1908. North Fork Catherine Creek Trailhead- North Fork Catherine Creek Trail #1905. West Eagle Meadows Trailhead- West Eagle Trail #1934. Major Trailheads from the Halfway, Oregon side Main Eagle Trailhead- Main Eagle Trail #1922. East Eagle Trailhead- East Eagle Trail #1910. Cornucopia Trailhead - Blue Creek Trail #1865. Twin Lakes Trailhead - Hells Canyon National Recreation Area- Twin Lakes Trail #1874. Summit Point Trailhead - Cliff Creek Trail #1885. Maps Topo Maps Aneroid Mountain, Bennet Peak, Chief Joseph, China Cap, Cornucopia, Deadman Point, Eagle Cap, Eagle Cap, Flagstaff Butte, Fox Point, Jim White Ridge, Joseph, Krag Peak, Lick Creek, Little Catherine Creek, Lostine, Minam, Mount Fanny, Mount Moriah, North Minam Meadows, Steamboat Lake. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo maps. Buy maps online Go to the National Forest Store. Wilderness.net Go to Wilderness.net for online maps and other important Wilderness information.
Activities
- HIKING
- HORSEBACK RIDING
Explore more Oregon camping
Eagle Cap Wilderness 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.
Browse Oregon camping →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.