Pink House Recreation Site

Summary

Pink House Recreation Site is a beautiful campground located along the Clearwater River in Orofino, ID. It is popular with anglers, boaters, and wildlife watchers, and features a variety of amenities including RV and tent camping, full-hookups, BBQ grills, and a beach. Visitors can also explore nearby attractions such as the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, the Northwest Discovery Water Trail, the Nez Perce National Historical Park, and the Dworshak Hatchery and Dam.

Overview

Pink House Recreation Site is a large developed site located approximately 5 miles west of Orofino, ID. Nestled beside the Clearwater River at an elevation of 980 feet, the Pink House Recreation Site is surrounded by scenic views of semi-arid hillsides, and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Visitors come to this site from all over the country to enjoy camping, world class fishing, boating, tubing, swimming, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Lucky visitors may encounter a river otter swimming by or see eagles soaring above. The site is open year-round and a full-time Campground Host is present.

Campers can opt to pay overnight camping fees at the site through the free, easy-to-use www.Recreation.gov mobile app using the ‘scan and pay’ option. Selecting a camping site at Pink House Recreation Site will remain first-come, first-served; they will not be reservable in advance through Recreation.gov. 

Recreation

This area is popular for boaters, anglers, wildlife watching, as well as for quiet relaxation. The site is home to one of the most heavily used boat launching sites upstream from Lewiston, Idaho. Guests have immediate access to the Clearwater River, home to world-renowned salmon and steelhead fisheries attracting anglers from around the world. Tubing is one of the most popular activities on the section upstream of Orofino due to the river’s mellow rapids and accessibility. With over 10 access sites along the Clearwater River to put-in and take-out, recreationists have the option to float on the river as long as they desire. 

Facilities

Pink House Recreation Site can accommodate RV and tent camping. This site features 15 RV sites with full-hookups - water, electricity (30-amp connection), and sewer. Each site has standing BBQ grills, picnic tables, and fire rings. Two of the RV sites are pull-through, while the rest are back-in only. Two of the back-in only RV sites are accessible. Pink House Recreation Site also features three tent campsites with standing BBQ grills as well as picnic tables and fire rings. All three tent campsites have excellent views of the Clearwater River.

There is a concrete boat ramp, which provides access to the Clearwater River year-round. If you are just visiting for the day, there is ample parking for vehicles including trailers. 

Several water hydrants, providing potable water, are distributed throughout the site. There are also several toilets (flush and vault) and two dumpsters on-site. 

There are two accessible group pavilions for day-use only. The pavilions are reservable through Recreation.gov. To make a reservation for a pavilion, please visit: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10094038. Reservations for the small pavilion are $25/per day and the large pavilion costs $50/day. There is a small service fee for online reservations. Both pavilions include electricity, lighting, standing BBQ grills, and accessible picnic tables. 

Natural Features

The area is situated along the Clearwater River with beautiful views of the surrounding semi-arid hillsides. Most of the RV sites and all three tent sites offer excellent views of the Clearwater River. Native trees provide abundant shade throughout the site. Guests can access the large sandy beach with just a short walk from their campsite. The beach is open for year-round use, but is closed to vehicle use from June 1 to September 30 to enhance the safety of beach users in the summer months.

Nearby Attractions

• The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail follows the Clearwater River from Greer, Idaho to the confluence with the Snake River. 
• The Northwest Discovery Water Trail is the first 40-mile reach of the Clearwater River from Canoe Camp to the confluence with the Snake River in Lewiston, Idaho. 
• Orofino, Idaho provides basic services and shopping opportunities—5 miles away.
• Nez Perce National Historical Park (Canoe Camp)—1 mile away. 
• Dworshak Hatchery—9 miles away. 
• Dworshak Dam and Visitor Center—12 miles away.