Winchester Lake Campground

The Great Outdoors

Search for an RV in Lewis County, and you're all set to experience why RV vacations are so unique and so popular. Start by pointing your RV rental towards Saint Joe National Forest, near the town of St. Maries. Saint Joe is a combination of partially developed and completely primitive recreational areas; there are established trails that can be used by hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and nature lovers in general. There is also, however, acres upon acres of area that are traversed by streams and rivers but lacking any kind of road. Visit this park, and you can challenge yourself as much or as little as you desire.Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is just a hop and a skip across the Oregon-Idaho border from Winchester Lake, and it includes a wide variety of landscapes. The elevation ranges from just a few hundred feet above sea level in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area to almost 10,000 feet at the peaks of the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. In addition to the usual available activities, you can downhill ski the slopes of Anthony Lakes or tube or whitewater raft through Hells Canyon. You can also hike the park and observe the numerous wildlife species that call it home, but the park is occasionally subject to prescribed (human-made) fires in the spring in order to maintain the forest, so you should check with park staff before heading out.Nez Perce – Clearwater National Forests is partially developed and partially primitive/undisturbed, making it a great destination for getting the most out of your visit. Here you will see dry, rugged canyons, cedar forests located in a drainage area, and rolling uplands, all providing habitat for a variety of wildlife. The forest is managed for recreation, timber resource, and farming, so don't be surprised if some of the “wildlife” you spot is of the domesticated variety. It has three rivers that provide excitement for kayakers and rafters, and an electric tour site initiative that places kiosks along some of the auto tour routes. These kiosks provide information about the history of the area and the routes which are also historically important

Exploring The Area

Now that you've experienced nature and history, it's time to enjoy some of the area's culture, and a good place to begin is in the town of Cottonwood. The community has some historical importance, notably a ski area that has the ruins of some WWII lookout towers; you can ski here in the winter or hike the peak in the summer. There is a monastery that houses a museum, gift shop, and a welcome center; it has kiosks that reveal the history of the monastery, the area, and the native people who lived here before the Europeans arrived. Tours of the chapel can be arranged if you desire, or you can wander the grounds and enjoy the scenery. There are a handful of restaurants in the area you can enjoy, mostly serving American style food (a few of them are pub restaurants).Culdesac is another small town with a historical museum showcasing the town's history (it was named as a result of its placement at the end of a railroad line); it was originally referred to as a “Shebang,” a place where outlaws gathered. Each year in June, the town hosts Shebang Days in celebration. It has a small but satisfactory restaurant scene consisting of locally owned establishments; items are cooked to order and usually come in large portions for a reasonable price. You won't find anything fancy, but the food and service are good.Winter or summer, outdoors or in town, there is something here for everyone to enjoy, and camping at Winchester Lake Campground is a great way to place yourself in the middle of it all.