| Welcome to the wallowas |
Beautiful • Breathtaking • Incredible.
Off the beaten path at the very end of Oregon Highway 82, there's a region that surprises first-time visitors. |
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| DESTINATIONS: Enterprise |
A historical & cultural gem
Visitors to Enterprise, which is the county seat, will come into town on Highway 82 and if they are not careful, they may miss some of the most interesting historical sites and cultural gems the county has to offer. |
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| DESTINATIONS: Joseph |
SLOW DOWN & ENJOY" - This Little Town is Like Heaven to Us. Don't Drive Like Hell Through It"
Thas been Joseph's greeting to visitors on a Main Street sign for over half of a century. |
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| DESTINATIONS: Wallowa Lake |
A popular destination at journey's end
Wallowa Lake is the payoff at the end of a long journey for many visitors to this isolated corner of Oregon. |
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| DESTINATIONS: Wallowa/Lostine |
Gateway to the valley
Wallowa is the first populated area you come into as you begin your tour of Wallowa Valley. |
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| DESTINATIONS: Imnaha |
A true backcountry Destination
About 30 miles east of Joseph on Highway 350, Imnaha seems little more than an intersection on your way elsewhere, but it boasts a rich sense of place and a memorable tavern that serves as the remote community's gathering place. |
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| THINGS TO DO: Gallery Hop |
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Most of Wallowa County's art galleries, though not all, are located in Joseph, which has a Main Street that is itself a kind of open air bronze art gallery, with spectacular, world-class sculptures that are the subject of non-stop photographers throughout the summer months. |
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| THINGS TO DO: Sking & Ice Skating |
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Winter's chill is time for skiing and skating. Ferguson Ridge Ski Area (called "Fergi"), nine miles east of downtown Joseph, has six groomed runs and two paths for the cross-country goers. |
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| THINGS TO DO: Camping |
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Campgrounds and RV parks are scattered all around Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, from Buckhorn Lookout up north down to Imnaha River's south fork. |
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| THINGS TO DO: Fishing |
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Fishing is a year-round attraction. Even over the winter, fishing through the ice for trout at Wallowa Lake can be successful. |
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| THINGS TO DO: Hunting |
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Fall is a busy season for hunting the various wildlife. Late in the summer, rifle and archery hunters in Wallowa County begin to suit up for trips to any of the seven wildlife management units. |
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| THINGS TO DO: Outdoor adventures |
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Eagle Cap Wilderness and Hells Canyon, natural landscapes in the southern and eastern parts of this county, make breathtaking settings for rugged outdoor adventures such as horseback riding, pack trips and whitewater rafting. |
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| THINGS TO DO: Eagle cap train |
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Passenger train service in Wallowa County, a standard way to travel in the early 1900s, was resurrected in 2003 when Wallowa and Union counties bought the ruggedly scenic Joseph branch rail line from Joseph to Elgin in neighboring Union County. |
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| THINGS TO DO: Shopping |
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Nearly anywhere you go in Wallowa County, except in the back country, you'll find places to shop - no Walmart, Target or other cookie-cutter big-box stores, but refreshingly unusual shops operated mostly by sole proprietors or families eager to please you. |
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| THINGS TO DO: A day at wallowa lake |
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There are countless ways to spend a day at Wallowa Lake, including an all-day hike, via several trail heads near the lake, into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. |
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| THINGS TO DO: take a tour |
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With four full-service world-class bronze foundries in Wallowa County - as well as numerous specialty arts business that contracts with artists and foundries for part of the process - there's no better way to find out how the artists' wax models turn into beautiful sculptures than to take a tour of at least one of the foundries. |
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| THINGS TO DO: kids activities |
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Take a gander at the long list of events that take place in Wallowa County every year and you'll see that there are plenty of family-friendly events where parents can entertain their kids. |
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| Drives: NORTH END LOOP |
Flora, Troy and spectacular scenery
For a true backcountry road trip, head north from Enterprise on Highway 3. |
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| Drives: Zumwalt-Buckhorn Lookout |
| The loop of about 78 miles from Enterprise to Buckhorn Overlook, through the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve, and back offers a pleasant, sometimes spectacular drive off-the-beaten path suitable for passenger cars. |
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| Drives: imnaha LOOP |
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At a lower elevation with less-severe winters than most of the county, the Imnaha area was where the ancient Nez Perce tribes wintered. You may see bears, deer and other wildlife on this drive. |
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| Drives: Routes to the snake river |
| Driving through Wallowa County to Snake River is an adventure. |
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| Drives: Hells canyon scenic byway |
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Traveling the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is a great way to create a theme for your vacation. |
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| Drives: Biking Routes |
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Mountain bikers can use the Imnaha Highway to find several trails. |
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| Drives: Coming into wallowa valley |
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Wallowa County literally is at the end of the road because State Highway 82 ends at Wallowa Lake. The drive to Wallowa County is one of the state's most scenic, and there are several reasons to make a brief stop along the way. |
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| Lodging Guide |
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| Dining Guide |
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| Events: Oregon Mountain Cruise |
June 11 and 12 • Main Street in Joseph
More than 300 classic cars will line the main street of Joseph for the 22nd Annual Oregon Mountain Cruise this year. |
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| Events: Mountain High Broncs & Bulls |
Friday, June 18 and 19 • Wallowa County Fairgrounds
The Mountain High Broncs & Bulls event brings in cowboys from eight western states and Canada to compete for over $21,000 in prize money. |
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| Events: Mountain High Championship of Cowboy Mounted Shooting |
June 20 • Wallowa County Fairgrounds
Immediately following the Mountain High Bronc's & Bulls event, a new event will pack Wallowa County Fairgrounds. |
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| Events: Ranch Rodeo |
June 25 to 26 • Harley Tucker Memorial Arena in Joseph
This is the third year for the Ranch Rodeo, a benefit created by high school ranches to raise money for scholarships for local seniors. |
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| Events: Alpine Soaring Adventure and Aerotow |
July 1 to 4 • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Alpine Soaring Event is a recreational activity for enthusiasts that fly remote-control gliders and sailplanes. |
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| Events: Old Fashioned 4th of July |
Wallowa, Lostine and Wallowa Lake
The celebration begins on the main street of Wallowa where an old-fashioned small town parade regularly packs them three deep along the sidewalks.
Thursday, March 25, 2010 |
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| Events: Bowlby Bash Street Fair |
July 10 • Main Street Enterprise
The official title for this event is Bowlby Bash - A Street Fair in Historic Enterprise and it follows a successful model created in 2009 when the city celebrated the birthdays of the state, city and courthouse - all at once. |
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| Events: TamKaLliks Celebration |
(originally Nez Perce Pow-wow and Friendship Feast) July 16 to 18 • Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail
This year will mark the 20th Year that the tribes combine their homecoming procession on horseback, traditional Native American dancing, drumming, religious ceremonies and friendship feast at the Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail Interpretive Center along the Wallowa River. |
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| Events: Chief Joseph Days |
July 21-25 in Joseph at the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena rodeo grounds
A Wallowa County tradition for 65 years, the four-day rodeo is considered on of the top outdoor rodeos of its size in the nation. |
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| Events: Sunrise Iron Antique Tractor Show |
July 31 • Alder Slope (65708 Sunrise Road in rural Enterprise)
Every year wheat farmer Erl McLaughlin opens the huge doors on his showroom to share a truly awe-inspiring collection of over 50 tractors, plows, cultivators and other antique machinery from the early 1900s. |
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| Events: Wallowa County Fair |
July 31 to Aug. 7 • Wallowa County Fairgrounds in Enterprise
More than a century of agriculture in Wallowa Valley is celebrated during the "finals week" for 4-H and FFA members. |
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| Events: Joseph Jr. Rodeo |
Aug. 7 • Wallowa County Fairgrounds
The Junior Rodeo caps off the week of 4-H and FFA competitions with the usual rodeo fare - performed by the younger generation. |
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| Events: Bronze Bike Motorcycle Rendezvous |
August 20 to 22 • Main Street in Joseph
This will be the fourth year for bike lovers from across the nation to gather in Joseph for three days of great drives in the countryside and family friendly events. |
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| Events: Stockgrowers Rodeo & World Championship Rock Jack Building contest |
August 21 • Wallowa County Fairgrounds
This will be the second year for the Stockgrowers Rodeo, a fundraiser for agricultural scholarships that enjoyed a bang-up beginning last year. |
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| Events: 30th Annual Hells Canyon Mule Days |
September 10 to 12
One of the top mule events in the United States, the mule show at the fairgrounds in Enterprise has a full schedule of muley events including a rescue race, a mule quarter-mile race, boot race and lots of other fun events. |
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| Events: Winterfest |
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Joseph's biggest winter blowout is getting better every year. T |
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| Events: Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Races |
Jan. 13 to 16, 2011 (tentative)
Mushers (sled dog racers) around the world are hearing about this race, a qualifier for any musher who wants to go on to the Iditarod. |
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| 2010 calendar of events |
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| Events: Music |
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The Courthouse Concert Series is a low-key, free outdoor musical experience on the lawn of the Wallowa County Courthouse in Enterprise from 5:30 to 7 p.m. every Thursday, June through August. |
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| Events: Quilt shows |
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The local quilt guild show will feature over 100 quilts Friday and Saturday, June 11, and Friday, June 12, at Joseph High School. |
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| Events: Art |
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Wallowa County celebrates its young artists (kindergarten through high school) every spring with a gala art exhibit that showcases hundreds of artworks in many media at the Joseph Community Center. |
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| Events: Fishtrap |
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Wallowa County is fortunate to be the home of Fishtrap, a nationally recognized writer's organization that promotes writing about the west and nature through a series of workshops, retreats and events held year-round. |
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| The nez perce legacy |
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Presence still felt in wallowa countyEjected from Wallowa County against their will in 1877, the modern Nez Perce have a significant modern-day presence in the ancestral homeland of the Wallowa band. |
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| The nez perce legacy |
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Without a doubt, the most famous native son of Wallowa County was a Nez Perce leader known as Chief Joseph, whose compelling, sad story ties him and his people forever to their beautiful Wallowa homeland. |
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| By air: getting here • getting around |
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The closest airport with scheduled commercial flights is in Pendleton. |
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| Car repair: getting here • getting around |
In the event of car accidents or wear and tear, many mechanics around the county offer their services
A couple of shops in Enterprise have a wide selection of parts and supplies. In addition to items already in stock, Kent Lozier at NAPA can make orders delivered overnight to his store at the corner of Greenwood Street and Southwest Second. |
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| Relocation: moving to wallowa county |
| When you are 65 miles from a McDonald's or a Walmart, and two-and-a-half hours from the nearest mall, you will find a whole new definition of the phrase, "quality of life." |
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