We might as well have worn a sign: “Camping Newbies Here. Patience Required.” Although we’ve traveled a very fair amount with our kids and enjoyed a wide variety of experiences, we had never actually gone camping. With our move to Idaho last fall, we were now living around extended family who are avid campers. Our non-camping status was about to change. And Wallowa State Park near Joseph, Oregon, became the lucky guinea pig for our camping trial run.
Camping at Wallowa State Park
First off, Wallowa State Park offers a beautiful, serene place to camp. One friend referred us to Wallowa when we moved to Idaho, calling it “The Swiss Alps of Oregon.” Wallowa Lake and the surrounding mountains have all the natural ingredients for an up-and-coming tourist attraction.
In addition to providing great natural beauty, the price of a regular, non-RV campsite is also right at $20/night. Although our site did not offer electricity, it did include great tasting, potable water. Bonus for us, we camped right next to very clean bathrooms and showers. I honestly didn’t feel we were “roughing it” too badly once I saw what our actual set up would be.
Camping at Wallowa: What We Did Right
We Struck Out on a New Path
I would say the first thing we did right was that we tried it at all. Covid-19 has taught us in 2020 that it’s time to try new things. Our cross-country move that we chose to do last fall had already upended our life. However, months later Covid-19 thrust other changes on us that we did not choose. Most normal activities we did each summer (swim team, kids’ camps, water parks, etc.) either canceled or took place in a greatly diminished capacity. We’ve had to look for new things to pursue in order to do anything at all. We joined a running club, for instance, and took up family painting. Camping in general provided another avenue for us to get us out of whatever rut we had been in prior to 2020.
We Gave Our Kids a Vacation With Cousins
We’ve taken several memorable vacations with our kids: Niagara Falls, Grandfather Mountain, Arizona, and the Badlands, just to name a few. My kids haven’t suffered a shortage of experiences. But they had never yet experienced a low-key vacation with cousins. Prior to last year, all their cousins lived on the other side of the country. Back-and-forth visiting was tough. Watching my kids riding bikes, rafting on Wallowa Lake, or just generally goofing off with cousins felt golden. Seeing them build these friendships and memories is worth more than a major, expensive vacation in my opinion.
We Made the Effort to Hike
We’re naturally early risers (all but my teenager, that is). Still, even though we get up early, sometimes it feels more right to just sit around a morning campfire than to make the effort to exercise. However, hiking is one of our absolute favorite past times, and the natural beauty of the area beckoned us.
That being said, most of the hiking around Wallowa State Park requires heading straight up very steep mountains. I found myself in that very situation when we ventured on the Chief Joseph trailhead by the marina area.
The path might have look innocuous at first, but it didn’t stay that way. Although I’m not in terrible shape, I am middle-aged and don’t work out vigorously every day. Sooner than I would have liked, we had to turn around because the trail was just too strenuous to enjoy.
We found another trail, also called Chief Joseph (possibly the trails connect at some point??) right outside the state park. This one was MUCH better and even more scenic.
Our Group Rented a Pontoon Boat
To break up our visit and provide a unique memory, our group rented a pontoon boat for the afternoon. While the price was a little steep for me, our group loved the experience. Being out in the middle of Wallowa Lake provided a much different view of the surrounding mountains–wow! That moment did feel a little bit like vacationing in the Swiss Alps, but with a much lower price tag.
One negative, however, for a group our size (19 people total) was that the pontoon boat could only hold 9 at a time. We had to go out in shifts, which wasn’t terrible, but wasn’t ideal either.
We Visited the Nearby Town of Joseph
The quaint, touristy town of Joseph lies just a few miles outside the state park. And it is a gem for an afternoon of exploring, eating ice cream, visiting the gravesite of the elder Chief Joseph, or taking a few trails.
Camping at Wallowa: What We Did Wrong
We Didn’t Own the Right Gadgets
We were somewhat ill prepared. For instance, I had literally switched to a different cell phone provider the day before our trip. Although I am super happy with this switch in other ways, this particular carrier had no service within the state park. As my husband has this carrier too, we were stuck. No service. We had to rely on others in our group creating a hotspot for us, which was not ideal.
With no electricity, we were lacking gadgets that would have made it easier to charge our phones and lanterns without running our car constantly. Our phones rarely saw more than a 15% charge the entire visit. We started making a careful list of all the small items we’ll need to purchase before our next camping adventure.
We Booked Too Many Days
Our group had booked 6 nights at the park. We had already decided ahead of time to come home a day earlier than that. Then unexpectedly, our entire group had to leave even earlier due to a family situation. We therefore spent 4 nights camping, which seems to be the right amount for us. If we return in the future with just our family, I would be happy with even 3 nights and 2 full days. Although we overall enjoyed the trip, we found out that we are probably not dedicated, week-long campers moving forward. And that’s okay.
We Couldn’t Take Advantage of the Area’s Major Attractions
There are at least two things we wish we could have done on this trip but couldn’t due to current finances: the Wallowa Lake Tramway, going 3700′ to the top of Mt. Howard; and a family trip on the Joseph Branch Railriders, operating motorized railroad cars. Both of these unique opportunities look too good to pass up forever, though. These just weren’t meant to be for this year. Luckily for us, Wallowa State Park is our extended family’s favorite campground. They return every year if time allows. So opportunities that we had to pass on this time will likely come around again.
We Didn’t Take Into Account the Roaming Wildlife
The campground was chock-full of too-tame deer who had been around the block several times. In other words, they knew where the food was. Over the course of the week, we lost several apples, two peaches (we found their pits lying nicely on the picnic table), and one bag of chips.
Our mistake. Next time we’ll remember to keep a tighter watch (and tighter lids) on our food supply. At least it wasn’t bears. Better that we learn from this now while the stakes weren’t too high.
Bottom Line to Wallowa State Park Camping
Wallowa provided us an excellent start to our camping career. Although not perfect, we would definitely come here again. And next time we plan to learn from our mistakes and come better prepared.
Are you an avid camper, a never-camper, or a camping newbie like us? What do you like/dislike about camping? Please comment below!
Looks like an awesome place to visit. I will put it on my bucket list.
Definitely do!
I enjoyed reading what you learned from your camping experience. We have only been camping a few times and are slowly starting to add more trips into our schedule.
Great! Hope you add Wallowa to your list if you’re anywhere closeby.
Beautiful scenery! I will have to add this park to my list. I love the pontoon boats!
The boat was fun, but a little pricey to rent it for 5 hours.
Even though you had some learning experiences, sounds like everyone had a wonderful time! I was surprised to see the leaves changing so early, but the pictures are beautiful! Thank you for sharing your family outings!
I know; it seems fall is coming crazy early this year! Nothing is very normal about 2020, is it?
What a fun new experience for your family! And you learned for next time. Sounds like youāll go back!
We hope too and do twice as well next time. Or we’ll try a different spot for variety.
This looks like a great place to hike, its good that you were able to learn the do’s and don’ts for future camping trips š
Absolutely! It was a learning experience and a trial run of sorts.
I love the advice. It is nice to know what you learned so we can plan a trip and stay the right amount of time.
Yes, hindsight is always 20/20 in cases like this!
What a beautiful place! I’m glad you at least had 15% battery to be able to take great pictures š And I love the outdoors, but don’t think 6+ nights of camping would be ideal either. Great things to learn and share!
Yep, that 15% charge really came in handy, lol!
Luckily I am an avid camper, but you have to start somewhere! Those trails give such gorgeous views, I would love to go there!
I hope you do, being an avid camper. It is a truly lovely place.
Sounds like you adapted well and you got some beautiful photos! Iām not much of a camper either, so I think you did well!
Thanks! As well as can be expected first time out, I guess. There’s always room for improvement, lol!
I haven’t been camping since my kids were in grade school. This year my twin and I had started to make plans to camp at Mackinaw city for our birthday this month. So in June I thought I would do a trial run at a Campgrounds where my old brother and wife are camp managers. I bought a small tent and an air mattress along with other camping accessories and headed down to camp. I got the tent set up and went inside and thought this will be great! However upon exiting the tent I tripped over the tent pole and fell on my face. Things went downhill after that. Long story short our trip to Mackinaw city got canceled and I gave the tent to my niece. When I can afford it I’m getting a camper. I’m too old for tent camping! Enjoyed your photos!
Oh no! I feel pretty old for tent camping too, honestly. Especially not having done it ever in my adult life before. I’ve heard wonderful things about Mackinaw as well. I’ve always wanted to visit.
It was nice to hear the “right” and “wrong” of your trip! As someone who doesn’t camp, many of these lessons would not have occurred to me. Hopefully next time you’ll be able to enjoy the tramway and railroad cars!
Yes, I really look forward to those. They looked like such unique family activities.
I have only been a camper for the last three years and it has been the most wonderful experience. We have learned a lot along the way. We are moving to Colorado next month and plan to take more than a week to explore along the way, camping most of that. I love that you are thinking next time. It will get easier the more you do it.
What a great idea! We drove from Virginia Beach to Seattle last fall and saw sites along the way…but didn’t camp. You are in for an adventure!
How gorgeous! Sounds like you guys did way more right than wrong! Haha
I’d say it was more 50/50, lol!
I hadn’t heard of Wallowa State Park until I read this but it’s so pretty! And I was surprised, like you, to see the fall foliage already showing in the trees! I love seeing autumn in the forest. What a wonderful trip with so much to do and see!
Fall is definitely coming early this year! Wallowa is a lovely place to visit, for sure.
I enjoyed reading what you discovered from camping! We are avid campers and greatly enjoy nature! It was fun to view it through your eyes!
So many State Parks to choose from & this one delivered. Absolutely gorgeous!
Loved this post! You’ve got to start somewhere, and lessons learned are wonderful for future trips. I’ve been a camper for my whole life, and at age 50, I still learn new things every year. Equipment fails, kids have meltdowns, weather impacts your trip, wildfires happen, and we just adapt and do the best we can and enjoy the time we have and the lessons learned. I’m grateful it was deer and not bears. š
Absolutely! And speaking of weather, I forgot to include that we had a thunderstorm roll through one night 2:00 a.m. or so…
Sounds like you had a fantastic adventure with your family! We also tried camping for the first time this summer… but truly took baby steps with renting a teepee and only staying the one night. Like you, I think I am only good for two or three nights max.
Despite a few negatives, seems that the best part was the cousins (and thus you and your siblings) hanging out and making forever memories!
I love the comparison of your “right” and “wrong” perspectives. So helpful for sure. Looks like a great time but maybe with some improvements next time around. Thanks for sharing.
This looks like a great place to go š My family and I are avid campers lol we go every chance we get, love roadtrips š I must say though we’ve gotten so use to just taking our sleeping bags to toss out and sleep on the ground and basic utensils to cook. You’re correct, a lot of newbies don’t realize the “other” things you really do need to get you through a few days of camping. Glad you did enjoy it and took notes on what to bring for the next trip. Most don’t and end up in the same place. Good job! šš¼ Thank you for sharing, and I bet you’ll have a blast next time.
Wow, I am impressed with your camping skills (and adventurous side!). Yes, I’m taking notes and picking out the perfect camping spot for next year. Hoping we can improve drastically on our first attempt. Thank you for reading!
Well written story – easy to read. I’ve been camping my whole life, but I enjoyed your perspective. On the flip side, I usually want to stay longer. I love that your kids had that special time with their cousins! Those are lifetime bonding memories.