The year is 1882. Thomas Edison flips a switch to enter the world into the age of electricity. One square mile of Manhattan lights up in an instant. Across the country in Eastern Oregon, a lonely rancher named Hiram Leslie stands in open field watching his livestock wander through the rolling green foothills of Jordan Valley. As the valley deepens, volcanic rock towers break free from the slopes. Like an ancient giant once struck the hills with an ax revealing the bright orange stone under the grass fields. While admiring the power of nature, Mr. Leslie does not notice the storm clouds forming above him. Unfortunately for him, that day, The God of Thunder refused to be outdone by a mere mortal like Edison and stupid little lightbulbs, so with a single strike of his hammer, Thor sent 10 billion watts of electricity through poor Leslie.
Now I don’t know what taking out your godly aggression on a single rancher proves but nonetheless we arrive at the beginning of Leslie Gulch, named after our sacrificial farmer. (I also have no way of proving these events happened on the same day in 1882, but it makes for a much more dramatic intro, right?)
The Leslie Gulch Area is part of the Honeycomb Wilderness. It will take you at least an hour of dirt road driving to reach the Leslie Gulch Campground. This campground is incredibly well put together for being so remote. Let’s take a look at the reasons to visit, play and camp in Leslie Gulch Area.
Camping at the Leslie Gulch Campground
The Leslie Gulch Campground, also known as Slocum Creek Campground has 12 campsites and is the only campground in the area. There are no reservations for the sites; it is all first-come-first-served. All sites have a picnic table and a fire ring, but only a select few have metal canopies for shade. The sites are also very close together and offer no privacy. The sites are separated by low metal railings wide enough for two cars. Go ahead and introduce yourself to your neighbors because you are going to be making a lot of awkward inadvertent eye contact.
- Location: Google Map
- Nearest City: Marsing, ID (45 Miles Away)
- Activities: Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Rockclimbing
- Bathrooms: Yes, Vault Toilets
- Drinking Water: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Garbage Dumpster: Yes, but only a few trash cans
Important: The unfortunate fate of Leslie is a reminder of the dangers in nature. But more dangerous than lightning, is the flash flooding that occurs in this area. Do not attempt to drive or hike in this area if there is any chance of rain.
What to do in Leslie Gulch?
Leslie Gulch is a popular hiking, fishing and rock climbing destination. Below are some of my favorite trails and activities in the area.
Hike Juniper Gulch
The most popular hike in the area is Juniper Gulch. You’ll pass the marked trailhead on your way to the Leslie Gulch Campground. This 4-mile round trip trail is reminiscent of hiking in some of Utah’s National Parks. The trail marries high desert and dense grassland foliage in an unusual combination. Start the trail weaving through the shade of green shrubs and ducking under the overhanging cliffs before popping out in the volcanic desert landscape. Be on the lookout for the Honey Comb rock formations. Click here for a guide to the Juniper Gulch Trail.
Hike Timber Gulch
Leslie Gulch is far from what I would consider crowded, but if you need to get away from the 5 or 6 people you’ll encounter on the Juniper Gulch trail, find your way to Timber Gulch instead. There is no trailhead or sign. Honestly, there is barely a trail. But if you’re not opposed to a little trailblazing the end reward is standing in a cathedral of then Honeycomb Stone. Check out our trail guide for how to find the trailhead.
Fishing the Owyhee Reservoir
Just a few yards down from Leslie Gulch Campground, is a boat ramp that launches into the lower portion of the Owhyee Resivour. Bass and crappie are the most sought-after fish in this body of water. Fishing from a boat will grant you the best chance of landing a good sized fish, but you can still get a pretty good haul of crappie by casting from the shoreline. I witnessed a guy reel in about 25 of the little suckers throughout the day, and he seemed disappointed with his numbers.
Why Stay at Leslie Gulch Campground?
You only have one option if you’re looking to spend the weekend fishing the warm waters of the Owyhee Reservoir or if you want quick access to Juniper Gulch and several other hikes in the Leslie Gulch area. Luckily the only option happens to be a great one.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.
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