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From the rugged grandeur of the Blue and Wallowa mountains to the spectacular canyon country of the Snake River, the Wallowa-Whitman Forests covers 2.4 million acres in northeast Oregon and western Idaho.
One of the many jewels of the forest is the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Preserving more than 652,000 acres of beauty and adventure, this diverse area is a part of Wallowa-Whitman and two other national forests.
The Hells Canyon All-American Road Scenic Byway is a five-hour scenic tour from Baker City to La Grande. This spectacular drive provides a beautiful view of the canyon country at the Hells Canyon Overlook, as well as a short tour of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Traveling through the several eastern Oregon agricultural communities, it also has optional side trips to Hells Canyon Dam and Wallowa Lake. The middle section of the Hells Canyon All-American road, which goes through the Wallows Mountains, is closed
during the winter months.
For those wishing to see the area on foot or horseback, there are more than 1,500 miles of trails that thread through alpine meadows, rolling sagebrush, and canyon grasslands, past lakes, wildflowers, rustic homesteads, and old mining sites.
To enjoy northeast Oregon’s contribution to the pioneering westward movement, visit the Oregon Interpretive Trail- Blue Mountain Crossing located north of La Grande, Oregon, off I-84, or the Bureau of Land Management’s Oregon Interpretive Trail Visitor Center near Baker City. For an insight into the area’s historic past, try a stroll around the old mining towns of Sumpter and Granite along the Elkhorn Scenic Byway.
The forest provides abundant year-round recreation opportunities, ranging from downhill skiing and snowmobiling, to white-water rafting and jetboat rides at Hells Canyon.
Visit the Wallowa-Whitman Mountains Visitor Center, located one mile west of Enterprise, at 88401 Hwy. 82 to view educational exhibits and displays on the forest and recreation area, or call the center at 541-426-5546.
Outdoor Activities |
Take a llama trek in the forest.
The scenic Anthony Lakes Recreation Area in the Elkhorn Range of the Blue Mountains.
Raft the scenic and tranquil Lower Snake.
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