Baker City Oregon Baker County Chamber of Commerce Halfway, Sumpter Richland Hells Canyon

Elkhorn Drive National Scenic Byway: West of historical Baker City the Elkhorn Mountains and the Wallowa-Whitman national Forest are packed with history, scenery, recreation and geology (spelled "GOLD"). Visit ghost towns, ride a restored train, climb mountain peaks, boat, fish, shop or just relax in the clean mountain air. This 3-5 hour drive has it all! The 106 mile loop takes you not only through the history of the gold rush days of Eastern Oregon, but into a region packed with biological and geological treasures. Summer and Fall (after July 4th) are the the best times to make sure all the roads are open. There's not much gold left up here these days, but there is a wealth of adventure! Please note the By-Way is closed and the road is not maintained from Granite to Anthony Lakes between Approximately October 1-June 15.

Elkhorn Drive Map

Points of Interest

Baker City: Take a walking tour of downtown Baker City and take a walk into history. With a largely restored Historical Downtown area, Baker City is a standout on any history or architecture lovers list. With several top quality museums and events year round, Baker City is a great place to begin this half-day trip. Start by exiting Baker City to the south on Oregon Route 7.
Powder River: From Baker City the route heads southwest along the beautiful Powder River and travels along to Philips lake. This Reservoir is big with anglers, boaters and campers. The nearby Mowich Loop Wildlife Viewing Area attracts osprey, bald eagles, deer and elk.
Sumpter: Just past Philips Lake and down a short road is the Sumpter Valley Railroad park. For railroad aficionados this mountain town is a gold mine! The Sumpter Valley Railroad take passengers to the town of Sumpter on Summer weekends aboard the restored "Stump Dodger". Sumpter, a once booming gold mine town host the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Historical Park, a flea market in the summer that is way out of proportion to the towns size and many other recreational opportunities.
Granite Gold: Leaving Sumpter you will cross 5,863 ft. Blue Spring Summit on your way towards Granite. The summit is a popular snowmobiling area in the winter. A gold strike in 1862 on Bull Run Creek and the town of Granite sprang up.
The North Fork: The Granite Creek area, Forest Road 73, was worked by early Chinese gold miners and you can still see the rock walls they left behind. The Crane Flats offers a prime area for wildlife viewing. The Elkhorn Drive Connects with the Blue Mt. Scenic byway at the North Fork of the John Day Campground. From here you will turn east and head over the 7,392 ft. Elkhorn Mt. Summit.
Anthony Lakes: Next door to each other Anthony Lakes and Grande Ronde Lake offer picturesque settings for camping and fishing in the warmer months. Anthony lakes resort offers downhill skiing in the winter, plus the are is full of snowmobile and cross-country skiing trails.
Haines: Descending from the Elkhorn Mts. into the Baker Valley this drive ends in the town of Haines, just a few miles north of Baker City. Visit the Eastern Oregon Museum and then follow US Route 30 back to Baker City.

The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway: Come find awesome scenic grandeur in Baker County. The 208-mile drive known as the Hells Canyon National Scenic Byway is also registered as an All-American Road. You’ll understand why when you begin the adventure in Baker City and forge into the majestic Wallowa Mountains of Northeast Oregon. Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in North America, is sharply contrasted by the 10,000-feet-high peaks of the Wallowas. Don’t miss this trip! Best time to travel these narrow winding roads is June-October, after that many of the roads may be closed by snow. Put aside a good 7-8 hours to make this trip. Points of interest are below the map. Please Note: Forest Service Road 39 is not maintained from October 1-approximately June 15. Please check with the Forest Service before driving that time of year.

Hells Canyon Driving Tour Map

Points of Interest

Baker City:: Your adventure starts in Baker City, "Queen City of the Mines," the seat of Baker County. Take some time to visit and enjoy this town’s rich history. Don’t miss the historic downtown district loaded with registered historic buildings. Baker City also plays host to the National Historical Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and the Oregon Trail Regional Museum.
The Baker-Copperfield Highway: Heading east from Baker City you will wind your way through the communities of Richland and Halfway once mining communities along Oregon Route 86. Winding roads, mountain views and the Powder River start this journey.
Snake River & Hells Canyon: Here the Snake River enters the southern end of Hells Canyon, the deepest river-carved gorge in North America. Reaching Depths of 8,000 feet Hells Canyon is a sight to remember. Surrounded by the 652,488 acres of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area this area is a gold mine of geology, scenery, plants and wildlife. About 6 miles past the juncture of Forest Road 39.
Hells Canyon Overlook: Hang on tight and look down! From this vantage point you get a breathtaking view into Hells Canyon from the top, located about 16 miles further down Forest Road 39 turn onto Forest Road 3965 and take a short drive to the overlook.
Wallowa Mountain & Eagle Cap Wilderness: Travel through the "Switzerland of America." The magnificent Wallowa Mountains and Eagle Cap Wilderness offer impressive views as you travel north across the Imnaha River.
Joseph and Wallowa Lake: You've left Baker County behind, but we don't mind bragging on our neighbors a bit. Joseph is a recreation hub that is famous for its bronze foundries and arts community. Visit a monument to Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe and Wallowa Lake. Take the tramway to the summit of Mt. Howard, rent a yurt or enjoy the fishing and hiking.
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Visitors Center: From Joseph take Oregon Route 82 to Enterprise and learn about the scenic, historical and recreational features of Hells Canyon National Recreation Area and the Wallowa-Whitman National forest.
La Grande: Your tour ends in La Grande just forty miles north of Baker City in Union County. From here you can take the quick trip south on Interstate 84 back to Baker County or head north towards Pendleton and Umatilla County and the Colombia River Gorge.

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