New and improved hiker-biker camp coming to Wallowa Lake

Published 7:00 pm Friday, February 26, 2016

Cycle Oregon has awarded a $10,000 grant to build a new and improved hiker-biker camp at Wallowa Lake State Park.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will match the grant up to another $10,000, in hopes the camp will draw more visitors and less traffic congestion to Wallowa Lake.

“We’d really like to encourage people to consider different ways of visiting Eastern Oregon,” said Chris Havel, spokesman for Oregon State Parks.

The current camp for people who hike or ride their bicycle into the park is located along the main camp entrance. The new camp will be built in a more secluded spot at the park’s former amphitheater, and include eight camping sites, lockers, tables and charging stations.

Over the years, Havel said the park has invested in camping upgrades for yurts, cabins and RV sites, but not for hikers and bikers. Wallowa Lake was one of the first state parks to introduce camping for visitors in 1951, along with Silver Falls.

Between 2009 and 2014, visits to Wallowa Lake State Park increased by 10 percent, from 348,000 to 381,000. However, just a tiny fraction of those — between 50 and 60 — are hiker-biker campers, Havel said. The goal is to boost that figure to 200-400 after the next two years.

Havel also said the park is interested in encouraging less polluting and congestive forms of transportation.

“We’re just sort of looking ahead,” he said. “I don’t think Oregon is going to fall out of love with the northeast (part of the state) anytime soon.”

Park Manager Nancy McLeod said the grant is a generous gift from Cycle Oregon.

“They’ve always supported the region, but this goes beyond goodwill,” McLeod said. “They’re investing in the community, and we’re grateful for it.”

Work on the new camp should start this spring and be ready in time for the 2017 season.

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Contact George Plaven at gplaven@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0825.