Pink House Recreation Site
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, and wildlife watchers, 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 across the globe. 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.
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.
Photos
Related Links
Know Before You Go
Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)
View images of accessibility features in a new window.
Day-use parking. There are 3 paved and striped day-use parking lots at this site. The lot closest to the entrance has 32 parking spaces large enough for RVs or vehicles with trailers. One of these spaces is designated as accessible and has an access aisle for vehicles with a side ramp. To the north is a second day-use lot with 8 spaces, 1 of which is designated as accessible and has an adjacent access aisle. A third lot is located in the northeast corner of the site, near the area for tent camping. This lot has 5 parking spaces, 1 of which is designated as accessible.
Information kiosks and fee-payment box. A shaded kiosk with site and safety information and a fee tube sits on pavement near the flush toilets in the front portion of the site, near the entrance. Another kiosk, also on pavement, is near the single vault toilet in the large day-use parking lot. Cell phone reception at the site is good.
Interpretive signs. Angled interpretive panels with information about the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail sit on concrete near the 2 vault toilets in the day-use area.
Toilets. Between the day-use and camping areas is an accessible restroom with 3 flush-toilet stalls on the women’s side and 2 on the men’s. There are 4 paved parking spaces next to this restroom facility, 1 of them designated as accessible with an access aisle. The site also has 3 accessible single vault toilets: 2 near the picnic pavilions and 1 in the large day-use parking lot. Paved pathways connect the toilets with the parking lots and campsites.
Drinking water. There is an accessible drinking fountain, at a height appropriate for visitors using mobility devices, near the larger picnic pavilion in the day-use area. In addition, there are 3 accessible water hydrants with easy-to-operate lever valves, 1 near the drinking fountain, 1 near the single vault toilet in the large day-use parking lot, and 1 in the smaller day-use parking lot in the northeast corner of the site, near the 3 campsites for tent camping.
Picnic pavilions. See the visit page for the reservable Pink House Day Use Pavilions.
Camping area. An asphalt loop connects all the individual campsites, which are east of the day-use area. All sites are first come, first served. There are 3 tent sites and 15 RV sites. All campsites have concrete tables with extended ends to accommodate visitors in wheelchairs, double-walled fire rings, and standing grills. RV campsites #1 and #2 have concrete parking spurs and are designated as accessible. These sites are closest to the flush toilets and main kiosk. All 15 RV campsites have water, electricity, and sewer.
Note: Descriptions and photos uploaded March 2025. Please note that actual on-the-ground conditions may vary due to natural events (e.g., weather, wildfires, erosion), normal wear and tear, or site improvements.
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Fees
- $18/night per camper for RV full-hookups and $10/night for tent camping. No Refunds.
- Any additional vehicles not in tow are $4.00 per vehicle per night.
- Holders of America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior or Access Pass (formerly Golden Age/Golden Access Passport) pay ½ price of standard fee for card holder and their vehicle. The Federal Annual Pass and Volunteer Pass do not include overnight camping.