National Forest · Idaho

Trails in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

1 named trail · 7 miles · 70 trailheads · 0 with the Forest Service's own write-up. Each trail's page has its profile, trailhead and the Service's write-up. The lines, trailheads and points are the Forest Service's; the write-ups are the Service's own words; the climbing is read from USGS elevation along each line.

1 trails, A to Z.

More hikes the Forest Service describes

Write-ups that name no single mapped trail, in the Service's words.

• Amelia Creek Trailhead
  The Amelia Creek Trailhead is a small facility located on the northern end of the Monument Rock Wilderness . This rustic facility has a few amenities and is used by hunters, hikers, and horseback riders. This site accesses Amelia Creek Trail #1973.
• Baldy Creek Trailhead
  The Baldy Creek Trailhead is located on the north side of the Baldy Unit of the North Fork John Day Wilderness along the Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway where Baldy Creek joins the Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River . The site is frequented by summertime day hikers, backpackers, horseback riders and during fall hunting season. A primary attraction of the area is the hike into Baldy Lake.
• Baldy Lake Trailhead
  The Baldy Lake Trailhead is a small primitive trailhead that is located on the southwest edge of the North Fork John Day Wilderness and accesses the upper valley to Baldy Lake. It is most often used by day hikers, and fall hunters.
• Bear Creek Trailhead
  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 Wallow Trailhead
  This is a gravel road and can be rough after the spring thaw. There is a loading ramp and hitch rails. A large number of hunters use this trailhead in the late summer and fall.
• Bowman-Francis Lake Trailhead
  This trailhead provides access to the Bowman Trail, a major entrance point for hikers and horses into the Eagle Cap Wilderness . This route provides access to Chimney, Hobo, Laverty and Wood lakes, as well as Brownie Basin and North Minam Meadows. Steep, rocky mountain ranges are framed with beautiful flower-filled meadows.
• Buck Creek Forest Camp and Trailhead
  Located on the western side of the Eagle Cap Wilderness and very close to the wilderness boundary, the Buck Creek Campground/Trailhead was built to meet the needs of both wilderness trail users and overnight campers. After crossing the Buck Creek Bridge off the North Fork Catherine Creek Road, the narrow dirt road travels through isolated forest and towering rock cliffs to the combination campground and trailhead.
• Buck Creek NRA Trailhead
  Situated on the ridge above Hells Canyon and the Hells Canyon Wilderness area, the Buck Creek National Recreation Area (NRA) Trailhead is a combination horse campground and trailhead for back country. The site has limited stock facilities such as hitching rails, trailer parking, feed bunks and holding corrals.
• Bucks Crossing Trailhead
  The Bucks Crossing Trailhead is a very small minimally developed trailhead along Forest Road 66. Parking is along the road in undesignated areas.
• Bull Run Trailhead
  The Bull Run Trailhead is a very small minimally developed trailhead mostly used by Summer hikers and Fall hunters to access the southern Monument Rock Wilderness and Bull Run Ridge area. This site accesses Bullrun Trail #1961.
• Chico Trailhead
  A hitch rail, and loading ramp are provided. Located near the popular Sled Springs OHV trails.
• Clear Creek Trailhead
  The Clear Creek trailhead is a small rustic facility located on the southern side of the Wallowa Mountains. It is popular for hikers and stock riders going to the Clear Creek Reservoir and other backcountry areas.
• Cold Springs Trailhead
  The Cold Springs Trailhead accesses the north end of the Boise Trail (#101). Located on the ridgeline and at the northern boundary of the Hells Canyon Wilderness this primitive trailhead has a small parking area for 2-3 vehicles.
• Cougar Ridge Trailhead
  The trail is well signed at the trailhead, boundary and all junctions. This site provides access to Cougar Ridge trail #1668 which enters Eagle Cap Wilderness .
• Cow Creek Trailhead
  The Cow Creek Trailhead is a small rustic trailhead along the Imnaha River. The site is primarily used in the spring for hikers, anglers and dual sport motorcycle riders going down to the Snake River, and summer and fall hunters. The road accessing this trailhead is rugged and not suitable for low clearance vehicles. 4-wheel drive recommended.
• Crawfish Basin Trailhead
  The Crawfish Basin Trailhead is a small rustic trailhead accessing Crawfish Basin Trail #1612 which enters the northern end of the North Fork John Day Wilderness .
• Crawfish Creek Trailhead
  The Crawfish Creek Trailhead is a small trailhead that accesses the Crawfish Lake Trail #1606 which goes to Crawfish Lake within North Fork John Day Wilderness and then continues on to the Upper Crawfish Lake Trailhead . Trail users can enjoy about a 3 mile trek on Trail #1606 between both trailheads.
• Deadman Canyon Trailhead
  Located near Fish Lake Campground , Deadman Canyon Trailhead is a moderately used access point into the southeast side of the Eagle Cap Wilderness and Wallowa Mountains. The site has horse loading and holding facilities, and a day use area. Access to Deadman Trail #1869.
• Dean Creek Trailhead
  The Dean Creek Trailhead is a small facility located on the south side of Phillips Lake. It one of several trailheads or areas available to access the Phillips Lake South Shoreline Trail #1610 , and other mountain biking, hiking, equestrian, and Nordic trails in the Phillips Lake Trail system .
• Dug Bar Trailhead and Boat Launch
  The Dug Bar Boat Launch and Trailhead is a multi-use year round recreation facility. It is the only driveable facility which accesses the northern end Snake River on the Oregon side in Hells Canyon and is popular with anglers, boaters, hikers, and other visitors. The boat launch has a small concrete ramp and accessible toilet.
• Dutch Flat Trailhead
  Dutch Flat Trailhead is a small rustic site which accesses the Dutch Flat Creek basin and the North Fork John Day Wilderness . Trail #1607 begins at the trailhead. The site has a stock loading ramp and hitching rails.
• Eagle Forks Trailhead
  The Eagle Forks Trailhead is located near the Eagle Forks Campground where East Eagle and Wild and Scenic Eagle Creek meet. Parking for the small trailhead is limited in a widend area just before the campground. This trailhead accesses the Martin Bridge Trail #1878 from the south, and the trail can also be accessed from the north at the Upper Martin Bridge Trailhead.
• East Eagle Trailhead
  The East Eagle Trailhead is located at the end of Forest Service road 7745 along East Eagle Creek. The trailhead is popular in the summer for day and extended trips into the southern Wallowa Mountains and Eagle Cap Wilderness , and in the fall for big game hunting. Visitors have two options for accessing trails in this area. They can park at the end of road at the East Eagle Trailhead with primary access to the East Eagle Creek Trail #1910, or they can park lower down at the Little Kettle Creek Trailhead which better accommodates trucks and stock trailers. The Little Kettle Creek Trailhead is the main access for Trail #1945 Kettle Creek.
• Elkhorn Crest Trailhead
  The Elkhorn Crest Trailhead is a the northern main portal for the Elkhorn Crest National Recreation Trail. Located in the Anthony Lakes Recreation Area, this trailhead offers facilities for hikers, backpackers and stock users enjoying the trail for the day or multiple nights in the North Fork John Day Wilderness area.
• Freezeout Trailhead
  08/12/2024 ***Freezeout Trailhead Reopened: Downed trees Removed***
• Frog Pond Trailhead
  Frog Pond Trailhead is located at the northern end of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.
• Gold King Trailhead
  Gold King Trailhead is a small trailhead located in a picturesque meadow near East Eagle Creek. The site has a large gravel parking area for trucks and trailers and has picnic tables.
• Hat Point Trailhead
  The Hat Point Trailhead is located on the edge of the Hells Canyon Wilderness area near the Hat Point Day Use Area and Overlook . The site has an upper day use and lower long term parking areas with stock facilities. It provides access to the main trail down into the canyon and the Wild and Scenic Snake River, Hat Point Trail #1752.
• Heaven's Gate Trailhead
  The Heaven's Gate Trailhead is located below Heaven's Gate Viewpoint near the Hells Canyon Wilderness . Visitors to the site can enjoy a short hike up to the fire lookout viewpoint on the Heaven's Gate National Recreation Trail , or walk along the northern portion of the Boise Trail (#101) and look down into Hells Canyon.
• Horse Lake Trailhead
  The Horse Lake Trailhead is a large rustic trailhead located about 3 miles from Fish Lake Campground . The facility is set in an open pine area adjacent to the Forest Road 66. The large parking area will accommodate several trucks and trailers.
• Huckleberry Trailhead
  This trailhead provides access to Huckleberry Mountain Trail (#1667 to #1665 to #1689) within Eagle Cap Wilderness . This is a wonderful place to go for those seeking solitude.The trail is forested and somewhat rough peaking out on top of a high ridge. The ridgetop is mostly open grassland, filled with wildflowers in July. Excellent views of the Lostine Canyon and Bear Creek greet the hiker after the arduous climb. The trail follows the ridge top for several miles and then drops down to Little Storm Lake.
• Hurricane Creek Trailhead
  The Hurricane Creek trail is a major access point for hikers and horses into the Eagle Cap Wilderness . The site has some stock facilities and day-use as well as extended stay parking areas.This trail provides access to the Lakes Basin trails. View massive granite and limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and an abundance of wildflowers along the trail. Gradually climb across subalpine meadows alternating with timbered areas. This route will provide you with panoramic views of Sacajawea, Matterhorn and Eagle Cap Peaks. Cross-country hiking in and around the basin provides spectacular views and photographic opportunities. The trail follows the creek so water is plentiful.
• Indian Crossing Trailhead
  The Indian Crossing Trailhead is located at the 'end of the road' along the Wild and Scenic Imnaha River . This small trailhead allows visitors to explore the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Eagle Cap Wilderness and the Wild and Scenic Imnaha River from one location. Some stock facilities like loading ramps, hitching rails, and feed bunks are provide at the site. Located nearby is the Indian Crossing Campground .
• Killamacue Trailhead
  Trail #1617 follows Killamacue Creek in a steady steep climb to the lake basin, tucked at 7,137 feet in elevation, between Red Mountain and Chloride Ridge. A prominent peak on Chloride Ridge is visible from various openings through the thick spruce and fir canopy along the trail.
• Lake Fork Creek Trailhead
  Located off the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway , the Lake Fork Creek Trailhead is a small trailhead facility set in amongst the cool pine and fir trees. The trailhead accesses the Lake Fork Trail (#1876) which goes along Lake Fork Creek and ends at the Lake Fork West Trailhead near Fish Lake Campground .
• Lake Fork West Trailhead
  The Lake Fork West Trailhead is a rustic trailhead located about 0.5 miles from Fish Lake Campground . The facility is set in an open pine area. The Lake Fork Trail (#1876) goes down along Lake Fork Creek and ends at the Lake Fork Creek Trailhead along Forest Road 39/ Hells Canyon Scenic Byway .
• Lick Creek Trailhead
  The trailhead offers limited parking with a loading ramp, 1 hitchrack, and a small information board. Lick Creek Trailhead is an entrance point to the Eagle Cap Wilderness .
• Little Kettle Creek Trailhead
  The Little Kettle Creek Trailhead is located along East Eagle Creek on the southern end of the Wallowa Mountains. This trailhead is popular in the summer for day and extended trips into the southern Wallowa Mountains and Eagle Cap Wilderness , and in the fall for big game hunting. Visitors have two options for accessing trails in this area. They can park at this Little Kettle Creek Trailhead which has truck and trailer parking, a vault toilet and stock facilties and accesses the Kettle Creek Trail #1945, or at the end of Forest Service road 7745 at the East Eagle Trailhead with primary access to the East Eagle Creek Trail #1910.
• Low Saddle Trailhead
  Low Saddle Trailhead is located along the Stormy Point North Trail (#108) just north of the Hells Canyon Wilderness area. This rustic facility allows hikers and rider a place to begin their visit or to pick up others coming out of the wilderness. Taking a short hike towards the canyon presents a fantastic view of Hells Canyon.
• Main Eagle Trailhead
  A walk in the wilderness is only part of the attraction at Main Eagle Trailhead. The scenic views of rock slides, peaks and glacial valleys along the Wild and Scenic Eagle Creek add to the beauty of the site. For those desiring a short hike to a scenic water fall - cross the log bridge and keep walking! Copper Falls is only two miles in.
• Marble Pass Trailhead
  The Marble Pass Trailhead is located on the southern end of the Elkhorn Crest National Recreation Trail in the Elkhorn Mountain range west of Baker City. The small site is very rustic with limited parking and difficult vehicle access.
• Maxwell Lake Trailhead
  The trip to Maxwell Lake makes an excellent day hike; it's relatively short, 4 miles one-way. Stands of larch and fir give shade and relief from the open meadows. Climbing the ridge behind Maxwell Lake affords you spectacular views of North Minam Meadows and some of the lakes and peaks in the Minam and Lostine drainages. Fishing for eastern brook trout is a favorite passtime at Maxwell Lake. Catched Two Lake is also a favorite fishing spot. The lakes are surrounded with granite walls and fine outcroppings of pine trees along the lakeshores. Small side streams cross the trail but may dwindle to a trickle later in the season. Be sure to carry drinking water with you.
• McCully Trailhead
  Located on the northeast side of the Eagle Cap Wilderness , the McCully Trailhead is a large facility for both stock users and hikers. Set in a warm open ponderosa pine forest, it has some great views of the Wallowa Valley. This trailhead provides access to McCully Creek Trail #1812 which head south into the wilderness.
• Moss Springs Trailhead
  Moss Springs Trailhead is located near the Moss Springs Campground on the edge of the Eagle Cap Wilderness . provides access to Trail #1673, Trail #1919, Trail #1918, and Trail #1942.
• North Fork Catherine Creek Trailhead
  The North Fork Catherine Creek Trailhead is set amidst large spruce and fir trees along the creek. Due to it's proximity from La Grande it provides easy access to trail riders and hikers venturing into the Eagle Cap Wilderness . Located nearby are the North Fork Catherine Creek Campground and Group Campground .
• Oregon OHV Trailhead
  The Oregon OHV Trailhead is located along Highway 7 adjacent to the Oregon Campground. The trailhead serves as a midway access area for the Blue Mountain OHV Trail . The recreation area has a parking area, loading ramp, and an accessible vault toilet.
• Oregon Trail Interpretive Park Trailhead
  Experience the Oregon Trail as the pioneers did! Some of the best-preserved traces of the Historic Oregon Trail await you on this forested ridge. Walk among stately Ponderosa pines that still bear the scars made by passing wagons over 150 years ago. Meander on a gentle footpath next to wagon-wide depressions. Enjoy the sweeping view that met the emigrant’s eyes so long ago. Choose a Discovery Trail and literally walk in the footsteps of the pioneers.
• Peavy Trailhead
  Peavy Trailhead is located along the North Fork John Day River near the North Fork John Day Wilderness area. The trailhead has a hitching rail for stock and provides access to Cunningham Cove Trail #1643 and the Peavy Trail #1640. Due to historic wildfires much of the area has large sections of burned timber with some regrowth.
• PO Saddle Trailhead
  The PO Saddle Trailhead provides access to the Summit Ridge - Western Rim National Recreation Trail #1774 and the southern end of the Hells Canyon Wilderness . The facility is a combination trailhead and horse camp with sites for tents or pull-through truck and trailer camping. A spectacular view of the canyon is found across the road.
• Powder River Trailhead
  The Powder River Trailhead is located in the Powder River Recreation Area below Phillips Lake. This accessible recreation site is divided into an upper and a lower trailhead parking area (see directions below). Visitors have easy access to the outdoors on the Powder River Interpretive Trail #1613 connected by bridges on both sides of the river. Anglers may fish for trout from two platforms or the two bridges along the trail. Hikers and wildlife viewers can experience a closeness to nature while resting on the riverside benches, or learning more about the site from the two interpretive sites. Wildflowers are plentiful in June and July.
• Rock Creek Lake Trailhead
  The Rock Creek Lake Trailhead is a very small rustic site with no amenities. The access road to the site is suitable for high clearance four wheel-drive vehicles only. You will pass Killamacue Trailhead on the way.
• Rock Springs Trailhead
  The Rock Springs Trailhead is often used to gain quick access on the Rock Springs Trail #1928 to the connecting trails on the Little Minam and Minam Rivers in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. This minimally developed trailhead is also popular for mushrooming in the Spring, and picking huckleberries in the Fall.
• Snake River Trailhead
  *UPDATE* The Kirkwood Creek stock bridge is now open.
• Social Security Point Trailhead
  The Social Security Point Trailhead is located in an open ponderosa pine forest above the northern shore of Phillips Lake. Although the area is used by many visitors, it is also a trailhead for the Phillips Lake North Shoreline Trail #1608 which goes west to the upper end of the lake, or east back towards Union Creek Campground and Mason Dam Boat Launch .
• Southeast Shore Phillips Lake Trailhead
  The Southeast Shore Phillips Lake Trailhead is a small minimally developed facility located across Mason Dam on the southeast side of Phillips Lake. The facility offers year-round access for mountain biking, hiking, crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing. It is the main eastern access point for the Phillips Lake South Shoreline Trail #1610 and crosscountry ski trail #XC-1610.
• Sugarloaf Trailhead
  Sugarloaf Trailhead is a large rustic trailhead located about 1/2 mile south of Twin Lakes Campground . It provides access to Sugarloaf Trail #1887 which accesses the southest boundary of Eagle Cap Wilderness.
• Summit Lake Trailhead
  The Summit Lake Trailhead is a very primitive trailhead located along the Wild and Scenic North Powder River. It serves as a trailhead for both the Summit Lake and North Powder River Trails.
• Summit Point Trailhead
  Located below the fire lookout, the Summit Point Trailhead is a moderate sized rustic trailhead for the southern end of the Eagle Cap Wilderness . Access into the wilderness area is along the Cliff Creek Trail #1885 and is popular with summer hikers and backpackers as well as fall hunters. The site has parking for large trucks and trailers and hitching rails for stock.
• Table Rock North Trailhead
  The Table Rock North Trailhead is a small facility that accesses the northern end of the Monument Rock Wilderness via the Table Rock Trail #1960. The site is lightly used in the Summer and Fall. To accommodate visitors it has a stock loading ramp, picnic tables and fire rings for day use, and a vault toilet.
• Tenderfoot Trailhead
  Tenderfoot Trailhead is a rustic trailhead located next to the eastern side of the Eagle Cap Wilderness area. The facility is set in an open pine area and accesses the Tenderfoot Wagon Trail #1819. The large parking area will accommodate several trucks and trailers.
• Twin Lakes HCNRA Trailhead
  The Twin Lakes Trailhead (Hells Canyon National Recreation Area) is located just down the road from the Twin Lakes Campground on the southern end of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area . This small site is the main access for trail #1887.
• Twin Lakes Trailhead
  The Twin Lakes Trailhead is a small facility located on the southern end of the Elkhorn Mountains. This is the lower access route into Twin Lakes. This facility has no amenities and is used by hunters, day hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
• Two Pan Trailhead
  Provides access to: Lostine River Trails #1662 to #1661 to #1670.
• Umapine OHV Trailhead
  The Umapine OHV Trailhead sits adjacent to the Umapine Campground . Located in a scenic ponderosa pine forest west of Vey Meadows between Cuuyem and Umapine Creeks, the trailhead serves as a central staging area for the Winom-Frazier OHV trail area which gives off-road riders access to more than 140 miles of challenging trails.
• Upper Crawfish Lake Trailhead
  The Upper Crawfish Lake Trailhead is a small trailhead that accesses the Crawfish Trail (#1606) from the upper slope and descending down to Crawfish Lake. Located off the Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway , common activities at the site include day hiking up to the lake, horseback riding and fall hunting.
• Van Patten Lake Trailhead
  The Van Patten Lake Trailhead is a small facility located near the "Little Alps" sand shed a short distance from the Elkhorn Sceninc Bway. The lower trailhead by the sand shed is suitable for passenger cars and trucks with trailers. Most trail users park at the lower trailhead and hike up the first 1 mile of the Van Patten Lake Trail (#1634) on Forest Road 131, and then for the next 1/2 mile on the trail to the lake. Athough there is an small upper trailhead at the end of Forest Road 131, the road is very narrow with large rocks and gullies. It is accessible only by ATV or 4-wheel drive vehicles.
• Wallowa Lake Trailhead
  This trailhead provides access to Chief Joseph Mountain Trail (#1803), east Fork Wallowa Trail (#1804) and the West Fork Wallowa Trail (#1820) which provide access to Eagle Cap Wilderness . Due to a bridge washout and high water levels in BC Creek, access to the Chief Joseph Trail will most likely be from the southwest corner of the Wallowa Lake Marina Parking area.
• Warnock Corrals Trailhead
  The Warnock Trailhead is located on Summit Ridge along the western edge of the Hells Canyon Wilderness area. This site provides access to Temperance Creek trail #1778 which enters Hells Canyon Wilderness. The trailhead is also the main entrance to Lord Flat and the Summit Ridge-Western Rim National Recreation Trail.
• West Eagle Meadows Trailhead
  The West Eagle Meadows Trailhead is one of the 'late season' trailheads to open in the early summer due to the area's heavy snow accumulation and high elevation. Located near West Eagle Creek and meadow, this site is frequented by hikers and equestrians alike who want to enjoy a day or extended trip into the Eagle Cap Wilderness area. The combination trailhead and equestrian camp offers parking facilities for both stock and non-stock users, and has hitching rails, a loading ramp and feed bunks.
• Windy Saddle Trailhead
  The Windy Saddle Trailhead is the main access point into the Hells Canyon Wilderness from Idaho. Located on the saddle going to Seven Devils basin or up to Heaven's Gate Lookout the area offers a great view of the Seven Devils mountain range and Hells Canyon area.

About these trails

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.