Ohara

Fenn Ranger Station, 831 Selway Rd
Kooskia, ID 83539

O'Hara Beach Area Closure

This closure order applies to O'Hara Beach, Bbginning at, but not including, CCC Camp Trailhead, extending north to include the entirety of the Trombetta Flats administrative area, continuing east to
administrative road #233 C, extending south to and including the shoreline of the
Selway River, and returning west ending at CCC Camp Trailhead.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest
Moose Creek Ranger District
Area Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 36 C.F.R. and § 261.50 (a) the following acts are prohibited
within the Moose Creek Ranger District, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests,
described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit
A the “Described Area”:
1. Camping. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58 (e)
2. Parking or leaving a vehicle in violation of posted instructions. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58
(g)

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization
specifically exempting them from the effect of this order. 36 C.F.R. §
261.50(e)(1).
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire
fighting force in the performance of an official duty. 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e)(4).

DESCRIBED Area

Ohara Beach, Beginning at, but not including, CCC Camp Trailhead, extending north to
include the entirety of the Trombetta Flats administrative area, continuing east to
administrative road #233 C, extending south to and including the shoreline of the
Selway River, and returning west ending at CCC Camp Trailhead.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this order is to discourage camping activities and parked vehicles
withing this area which prevent access for first responders to a critical water source for
fire management needs. These restrictions are necessary to protect public health and
safety and to provide increased day use recreation opportunities.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from April 27, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. through December
31, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as
Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/nezperce-clearwater/alerts.
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are
defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II,
Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the
Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined
by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by
a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by
imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C.
§§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Moose Creek Ranger District in Lowell, ID (208) 926-4258, or Nez
Perce-Clearwater National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Kamiah, ID, (208) 935-
2513, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in
the same Described Area.
Signed and issued on April 27, 2026.
_______________________
Deputy Forest Supervisor
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Overview

O'Hara Campground sits along the Selway River amid lush vegetation and old cedar trees. This is the largest campground on the Selway, with 32 sites, and makes a great base for exploring all the recreational activities and attractions in the area.

*Water is currently unavailable at this campground as it is under maintenence for the 2024 season. Water and dump station can be found at Cedar Flats, 1.5 miles from campground on Selway Road.

Recreation

The Selway River is a destination fly fishing experience for cutthroat and rainbow trout and is also well-known for whitewater rafting. Several trailheads for hiking and biking can be accessed from Selway River Road and lead into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area.

Facilities

The campground offers single-family sites, many of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring and paved parking spur. Vault toilets, drinking water and bear-resistant dumpsters are provided.

Natural Features

In the heart of north central Idaho, rugged peaks, deep canyons, dense forests and remote wilderness comprise the Nez Perce National Forest. Due in large part to dramatic elevational differences, the forest supports a wide variety of vegetation, from cedar groves to desert ecosystems.

O'Hara is located in the Selway Wild and Scenic River Corridor, an area known for its rugged natural beauty and wildlife.

Nearby Attractions

An 11 mile sightseeing drive from Lowell to Selway Falls offers visitors opportunities to appreciate the pristine beauty of the Selway Wild and Scenic River and picturesque Selway Falls.

O'Hara is near the Fenn Ranger Station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Camp site features

Across 31 camp sites:

ADA accessible: 8 of 31 sites
Longest RV: 45 ft
Largest party: 8 people

Directions

The campground is located 7 miles off U.S. Highway 12 at Lowell, Idaho, on Selway River Road 223.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

89 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Kathleen D

Loop:Ohar

Site:

Reviewed 18 days ago

My sister and I stayed two nights in mid-September in side-by-side campsites with our little campers. We were amazed to discover a lush green campground surrounded by much drier and more typical Idaho Rockies habitat--it was like a little patch of temperate rainforest, complete with large ferns and thick undergrowth. It rained almost the whole time we were there, so no wonder. We still thought the campground was beautiful and talked about staying there again some day. There is no electricity, wifi, or cell phone service (not even 5G), which we greatly enjoy, but which for some people is more than they can handle, so be forewarned. It's very remote and wonderfully quiet. If you are traveling there from the west along the Clearwater, be sure to drive east up the Lochsa River either as a day trip or if you are continuing eastward after camping. The drive along the Lochsa is one of the most beautiful in the Rocky Mountains!

Richard B

Loop:Ohar

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Always nice however for some reason this year they put the dumpster on the beginning of the path to the outhouse! So when the service removal truck comes and empties it all of the liquid goo runs out on the pathway and makes a gooie bear attracting mess!! And apparently it has dawned on anyone yet that it is a dangerous practice for campers or that folks don't like having to walk through it. and getting it on their shoes. Come on FS teach your folks to be observant and to recognize these situations and fix them before they cause problems. Thanks

Teresa S

Loop:Ohar

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Always a beautiful campground and wonderful experience to camp there. The highlights for me were the amazing cedars and other lovely trees, the river, the clean restrooms, and the quiet. Our grandkids enjoyed riding their bikes. I think it was quiet due to being the week after Labor Day. The berries are always great and we found a few even though it was late in the season. I hope the water gets fixed for next summer. But it won’t keep us from going! The only concern I have is that the map is not right for the campsites with some of them being on the wrong side of the road, by the river when they’re not by the river, etc.

Patrick P

Loop:Ohar

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Enjoyed our stay. Thank you>

Joe K

Loop:Ohar

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

The setting along the river was beautiful and the sites had good shading.

David I

Loop:Ohar