Wallowa Lake
- Tina McLain
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
A large lake in the northeast corner of Oregon.
Lake Name: Wallowa Lake
Lake Coordinates: 45.31016, -117.20772
Lake Elevation: 4376'
Access: Drive up/trail
Distance: 0.41 miles (round trip) *can be accessed through various trails and driven up to
Elevation Range: 4370' to 4442'
Ascent/Descent: +66 ft/-77 ft
Trail Type: In and out
Outing Type: Day hike
Permits/Fees: The south end of the lake is within Wallowa Lake State Park and there is a $10 day-use parking fee.
Location: In Wallowa Lake State Park near Joseph, Oregon, U.S.A
Administration: Wallowa Lake State Park
Date Accessed: June 24, 2026
I've been to Wallowa Lake a few times and realized I've never written about it. This time around, by cousin and I headed to the lake after having hiked to BC Falls. We parked in the Riverside Day Use Area within Wallowa Lake State Park on the south side of the lake.
We took some various boot paths to access the lakes edge near the mouth of the Wallowa River, where it enters the lake. We found a rocky area to sit and just enjoyed being out in nature for a bit. We waded into the lake which was refreshing.
There were some people out on the lake in their kayaks and SUPS. We were far enough from the marina and swimming area that we mostly had the shore to ourselves. We spent a good hour and half sitting on the shore. On our way back to the car we took a trail that went along the Wallowa River which was pretty.
To the west of Riverside Day Use Area is the Wallowa Lake Marina and Wallowa Lake Campground. On the north side of the lake there is a county park where the lake can be accessed as well.
Coordinates
Wallowa Lake: 45.31016, -117.20772
Riverside Day Use Area: 45.28198, -117.20912
Wallowa Lake Marina: 45.28495, -117.21314
Wallowa Lake County Park (north end of lake): 45.33456, -117.21856
Map
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