The word Weippe was originally spelled “Oy-ipe” by General Oliver Otis Howard, in his journals during the campaign against the Nez Perce and negotiations with Chief Joseph in 1877. Other spellings included Oy-iap and Wyap-p. Harry Wheeler, Nez Perce historian, believed that Weippe means a “very old place,” “oy” means “all” in the Nez Perce language, but no meaning has been found for “iap”. The Nez Perce also say it may have something to do with a spring of water or camas ground. The meaning of the name is still greatly debated.
Soon after the Corps of Discovery’s expedition through the region,
the fur trading industry came to Idaho. Then gold was discovered in 1860
by E.D. Pierce bringing a rush to the area in 1861. The Homestead Act
brought many families to the region and Weippe grew and thrived.
Weippe was incorporated in December of 1964 and is located
on the Gold Rush Historic Byway, Idaho Highway 11. The Weippe Prairie is
one of eight registered national landmarks in the State of Idaho and is
part of the National Lewis & Clark Historic Trail. It is a level
meadow fringed by forest, and through it runs Jim Ford’s Creek, named
after a pioneer wood dealer from Lewiston.
Come visit our Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at the Weippe Discovery Center. Deyo Reservoir and campground is awaiting with both dry camping and water/electric hookups. See Tourism link for more info.
Deyo Reservoir Campground
In 1922, the Schmidt Brothers Mill constructed a sawmill and logging operation to take advantage of the wealth of timber in the area. This multi acre site incorporated homes for roughly 20 families, a mill office, a post office, cook shack, bunk house for single men, gas pump house, public well house and other small buildings, besides large lumber drying area. The mill ran continuously on this site for 50 years. For the past 40 years, it has remained as wetland and pasture land until the Mary Lou Deyo Family generously donated the land. The Deyo Dam was finished in 2011, creating the 55 acre reservoir, and the campground was finished in 2013.
Deyo Reservoir and Campground – 803 Schmidt Mill Rd Weippe, ID Family Friendly Fishing: Trout, Bluegill, Large mouth Bass Wheel chair accessible docks. ADA Vault Bathrooms. West Camp Ground includes Water/Electric -$25.00/night -ADA campsite available East Camp Ground No Hookups- $12.00/night – ADA campsite available 1 Trailer and up to 1 tent (for members in same family only) per site, $10 additional charge per tent.
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Thanks to Don Adsitt, you can view the “West” campground sites, and various other features of the Deyo reservoir and Campground.
Deyo Campground will be open for this camping season May 1st through September 30th
Reservations are required for camping, and the use of the Pavilion.
Reservations will start April 1, 2026, no reservation can be taken prior to that day. Please use the link below.
Tomake your reservation experience better, please read the following recommendations *Reservations are best made on a desktop *Do not click on the “backspace” button. Please use the “back” button provided on the link. Using the backspace button will cause the system to cancel your reservation. *CANCELLATION POLICY – Effective May 1, 2026: A $10.00 cancellation fee will be incurred for any cancellation. The remaining balance will be refunded in full for cancellations made 48 hours or more in advance of check in time. For cancellations of less than 48 hours in advance of check in time, multiple day stays, the first day’s payment will not be refunded. No full or partial refunds will be given for “no-shows”. Emails are preferred for cancellations; email Deyo Campground at deyo@weippe.com or call 208-435-4406. Your refund will be credited to the credit card that was used to make the reservation. Allow up to 2 weeks for processing refunds.
All Deyo Reservoir photos courtesy of Don Ebert of Weippe ID.
Tourism
Weippe Discovery Center: The Weippe Discovery Center property is decorated with hand-painted historical murals, depicting scenes taken from the journal of Lewis & Clark, as they traveled through the region. Inside the Weippe Discovery Center, you will see Nez Perce artifacts, depicting their life in the region, replicas of tools used by the Lewis & Clark Expedition, as well as representations of Idaho’s wildlife. Visit the Discovery Center for links to Lodging/RV Spots, Gas, Restaurants, and Recreation option!
Historic LoLo Trail– Travel this ancient Nez Perce trail as Lewis & Clark did over 200 years ago.
Hunting – Big Game Hunting at its best! Public access year-a-round. Elk, WhiteTail, Cougar, Black Bear, Moose, Turkey, Wolf
Fishing: North Fork of the Clearwater Unlimited brook trout streams Kelly Creek -Blue Ribbon Trout Deer Creek Reservoir Deyo Reservoir & Campground
Weippe Farmers Market Community Yard Sale July 18, 2025 hours 9 am-2 pm, everyone is welcome to come set up a table. The Weippe Farmer’s Market will start on Friday, July 25th. The Farmer’s Market will take place every Friday from 3-5 pm at the Weippe Mini Park, through September 26th.Join us for fresh local produce, jams, breads, eggs, homemade crafts, honey and more! We’d love to see you there!
Wild Weippe Rodeo The Wild Weippe Rodeo and the corresponding Wild Weippe Days are held in Weippe Idaho on the third weekend in August every year. It’s open to local contestants and the best cowboys around!
