Buck Creek NRA Trailhead


The Buck Creek NRA Trailhead sign in a pine forest

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.

This trailhead provides access to Reservoir Bench Trail #1884 which enters Hells Canyon Wilderness.

At a Glance

Reservations: This site is not reservable.
Area Amenities: Tent camping, Toilets, Parking
Fees: No fee or pass required.
Open Season: June
Usage: Light
Restrictions: General rules of use and restrictions apply for this developed recreation site. Wilderness Regulations apply within Hells Canyon Wildernes.
  • Motorized vehicles, bicycles, carts, hang glider and other mechanical equipment is prohibited in the Wilderness area.
Closest Towns: Joseph, Oregon (48 miles); Halfway, Oregon (40 miles)
Water: No
Restroom: Vault Toilet
Passes: Recreation Passes may be used as a form of fee payment. 
Operated By: Forest Service
Information Center: Wallowa Mountains Office

General Information

Directions:

From Enterprise, Oregon travel south on Oregon State 82 towards Joseph for about 6.5 miles; In Joseph turn left on Oregon State 350 and go about 8 miles to the Wallowa Loop Road; Turn right on the Wallowa Loop Road (also known as the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway) and travel on this road which eventually becomes Forest Road 39 for about 31.5 miles (you will go past Blackhorse and Ollokot Campgrounds and cross over the Imnahah River) to Forest Road 3962; Turn left on Forest Road 3962 and go 2.2 miles to Forest Road 025; Turn right on Forest Road 025 and go 0.8 miles to Forest Road 3965; Turn left on Forest Road 3965 and go about 5 miles to the trailhead entrance on the left.

From Halfway, Oregon head east out of town for 1 mile on Record Road to Highway 86; Once on Highway 86 go 9 miles to Wallowa Loop Road (also known as Forest Road 39 and Hells Canyon Scenic Byway) towards Enterprise and Joseph; Turn left on the Wallowa Loop Road/Forest Road 39 and travel about 19.5 miles to Forest Road 3965 (This is the road to the Hells Canyon Overlook); On Forest Road 3965 (paved for first 3 miles to overlook) go 10 miles to trailhead entrance on left side of road.

There is a gate near PO Saddle Trailhead (3 moremiels down the road) that is locked 3 days prior to deer rifle season (late September) through late June; check with the Wallowa Mountain Visitor Center for the exact dates of gate closure.


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Day Hiking

Backpacking

Horse Camping

No. of Sites 5 single sites with feed bunk/corrals at most campsites
Reservation Info Not reservable
No. of Accessible sites None

Horse Riding

Amenities

Tent camping:
Parking: Truck and trailer parking sites
Toilets: Vault toilet

Related Information

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Highlights

Location

 
  Latitude : 
45.1976955569747

  Longitude : 
-116.764481661646

  Elevation : 
6000