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| 6/2/2005 2:52:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article
Comment on this article | Welcome to Wallowa County!
There may be places easier to reach than end-of-the-road Wallowa County, but there’s no place better to visit or one more welcoming to visitors. Those who live here know how lucky they are to call the Wallowas home and are happy to share their bounty of natural and man-made beauty.
From the splendor of landmark Wallowa Lake and the Eagle Cap Wilderness — the largest wilderness area in Oregon — to the unique art galleries and fine art foundries of the Joseph area, Wallowa County has something for everyone.
It offers different worlds to different travelers and more than lives up to the new slogan adopted by the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce, “Country Pleasures, Natural Treasures.”
Among the county’s many attractions is the Eagle Cap Wilderness with pristine high mountain lakes and hundreds of miles of trails to take hikers, backpackers, horsemen and adventurous outdoorsmen far off the beaten path.
There are many camping opportunities, ranging from the no-trace pack-it-in experience of the wilderness to Wallowa Lake State Park, which offers a rather luxurious outdoor experience with hot showers, electricity and proximity to Wallowa Lake.
There’s the opportunity | “ Wallowa County has something for everyone. It offers different worlds to different travelers ” |
to explore the story of the Nez Perce and young Chief Joseph, one of the most eloquent men of Western history. Modern Nez Perce are involved in present day Wallowa County in many ways, from the Tamkaliks Celebration in Wallowa every July to Nez Perce Tribal Fisheries’ projects in the county.
There’s a world of art to explore, with several fine art foundries and a Main Street full of bronze sculptures and art galleries in Joseph. Art events include the Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts juried art show in June and the Nez Perce Arts in the Wallowas show in September.
Writers and literary types will enjoy the Fishtrap Gathering writers workshops and conference, and music lovers can look forward to the Old Time Fiddlers Contest, Wallowa Lake Chamber Music Festival and the Bronze, Blues and Brews Festival.
There’s a wide range of family activities in addition to hiking and exploring galleries. Miniature golf, go carts and boat rentals at Wallowa Lake, a bowling alley and museum of Wallowa County history in Joseph, and fine city parks in all the incorporated cities of the county are only a few of the family-oriented things to do here.
For those who like to plan their vacation around events, during the summer months Wallowa County volunteers host one or more special or themed almost every weekend.
In addition to those mentioned above, there are the Oregon Mountain Cruise car show, Mountain High Bullnanza, Chief Joseph Days rodeo celebration, Lostine Flea Market, Wallowa Old-Time Fourth of July celebration, fireworks at Wallowa Lake, Hells Canyon Mule Days and Alpenfest at Wallowa Lake.
Wallowa County Chieftain has put together this Visitor’s Guide to help everyone make the most of their time here and as a way of saying, “Welcome to Wallowa County.”
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