Wallowa Lake State Park - Joseph, OR
Wallowa Lake State Park in Joseph, OR, is a beautiful dog park in a scenic natural setting perfect for pet owners looking for dog-friendly hiking and outdoor activities. This park offers a variety of amenities including wheelchair accessible entrances and parking, picnic tables, barbecue grills, public restrooms, and swings, making it a great spot for families with kids and their furry friends. Dogs are welcome throughout the park, allowing visitors to enjoy pet-friendly trails and lakeside adventures together.
The park is well-maintained and features clean restrooms and showers, with options for camping including yurts and group campsites. Visitors can enjoy hiking, watersports, and wildlife viewing, with the added charm of nearby shops, restaurants, and mini golf in the town of Joseph. Whether you’re looking for a quiet getaway or an active day out with your dog, Wallowa Lake State Park offers a peaceful, pet-friendly environment with stunning mountain and lake views, making it a top choice for dog owners in Northeast Oregon.
FAQ for Wallowa Lake State Park in Joseph OR:
- Are dogs allowed at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed at Wallowa Lake State Park.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, the park has wheelchair accessible entrances and parking lots.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, the park has picnic tables and barbecue grills available.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? The park has swings and is good for kids, with kid-friendly hikes nearby. However, some reviews noted the lack of a dedicated playground.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are public restrooms and showers at the park.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park offers hiking activities and there are short easy nature hikes available around the campground and lake.
- Are there staff or rangers present at the park? Yes, rangers are present and noted to be friendly and informative according to visitor reviews.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, picnic tables and fire pit tables are available at campsites for seating and resting.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? The park charges fees for campsite stays (e.g., $34 to $37 per night) but general information about day-entry fees or memberships is not specified.
- Are aggressive dogs allowed at the park? No specific information about aggressive dogs policy is provided.
- Are there water fountains or bowls for dogs? Specific information about water fountains or bowls for dogs is not mentioned.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Some campsites lack shade, but there are covered porches at yurts and natural shade from trees in some areas.
- Are poop bags or waste stations provided? There is no specific information provided about dog waste stations.
- Is the park open year-round? There is no specific information provided about the park’s year-round availability.
- Where is the best place to park? There is wheelchair accessible parking available, and parking is close to entrances and campsites.
- Are there other dog parks or trails nearby? The park is near Wallowa-Whitman National Forest which offers additional hiking and nature experiences.
- Are puppies allowed at the park? While not specifically stated, the park is noted as good for kids and dog friendly, suggesting puppies are likely welcome under normal pet policies.
- Can I host a dog birthday party at the park? The park is good for kids’ birthdays, implying it could be a suitable venue for dog birthday gatherings as well.
Reviews
We rented yurt 18 due to the incoming rain. It was really nice to have that option. Seemed like the entire loop was closed except for the yurts which was awesome because the other loops were packed and REALLY noisy. We had the entire loop and no neighbors! I’ve always wanted to stay here but it’s always so busy, early October was perfect! And there was plenty of room to setup a tent near the yurt. The mattresses are NOT comfortable at all. I would advise bringing some kind of mattress topper lol the park is really nice, bathrooms were clean and kept that way through our entire stay. Lots of deer that were not afraid to come say hi, and even a quick visit from a fox one night at the campfire. Yurt 18 had 2 tables, a big one by the fire pit and a smaller one up on the porch under a cover. There was a water spicket thing right by the campsite and a sink water dump right across.
Great campground and facilities, very well maintained. Camp rangers, camp hosts and resident camp wildlife seemed quite friendly. Generous sized crates of firewood for the price and even got a few peices of fragrant “purple” western red cedar.
A true gem for nature lovers 🌲💛. Wallowa State Park offers breathtaking views, peaceful trails, and a chance to truly disconnect and unwind. During Kokanee spawning season, the rivers come alive with a stunning display of nature in motion — it’s a magical sight you won’t want to miss.The park has clean bathroom facilities, and there are plenty of options for lake rentals, including paddle boats, kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoons, making it easy to enjoy the water.The tramway is amazing, offering one of the steepest gondola rides in North America — a must-do for incredible panoramic views of the mountains and lake. The campgrounds are well-maintained, and the sunsets over the Wallowas are unforgettable. Perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of Northeast Oregon!
Our stay at Group Campsite B in Wallowa was wonderful! Mother Nature gave us a show and we had a thunderstorm the entire first night, but honestly, it was actually beautiful to listen to!We took it as part of our adventure, and made for a really cool experience!We had some adorable very friendly deer visitors 🦌🤗Our Camp Hosts were not very friendly, or inviting unfortunately, so that was sad to experience. Several members of our group, had experienced the same treatment, so it was not just a one off thing. Sad face! Thankfully, we really only needed to interact with them while getting firewood!The Rangers on the other hand were all super friendly, and very informative.Bathrooms and showers SUPER clean!If you’re thinking about the regular single sites, just a heads-up: they’re pretty cozy with hardly any shrubs or bushes for privacy.The lake was beautiful! We did one lake day, but it was not for us. It had a fishy smell to it that we couldn’t get past unfortunately.Ultimately we decided there’s more fun to be had elsewhere. Perhaps if we had planned some fun boating activities it would have been a different experience. 🏖️ area was rocky, so I would recommend chairs for sure when hanging out lakeside.The starry nightsNULL Out of this world! Perfect for all stargazers.Just a quick stroll away is a charming little town with horseback riding, go-carts, and plenty of fun stuff to keep the family busy.There are cute little shopping stores within walking distance, plus coffee shops and even mini golf. We had some delicious Thai food from KHAO NEAOW while waiting for friends to come back from horseback riding — yum! The owner mentioned she had been in town for 12 years! If you have the opportunity, I would recommend giving it a try.The tram ride up? A total must! The views at the top of the short hikes are stunning!you’ll seriously regret missing those views!The restaurant was reasonably priced, and the Caesar wraps ended up being the family favorites!There are very friendly critters up there that are not afraid to come up and check out what snacks you are willing to share. They were so adorable, we didn’t mind them at all!Need groceries? Safeway’s a quick 20-minute drive away. And don’t forget to swing by the beautiful town of Joseph — it’s like a little slice of magic.All in all, a fantastic spot for camping, adventure, and making memories. We’re already dreaming of our next trip back!
The campground is great. The proximity to the lake is awesome and makes various activities (watersports, fishing, hiking, etc.) easily accessible. It is also very walkable to the shops, restaurants, and mini golf.The restrooms and showers were clean and maintained daily.The campground check-in is only open from 4-7pm. Firewood is also available during this time. At the firewood kiosk they require exact change (? per bundle). If you do not have exact change you have to pay at the check-in kiosk and return with your reciept. During peak times this may mean you are waiting awhile.