This Hells Canyon All-American Road Is the Ultimate US Road Trip
The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is a loop in northeast Oregon that encompasses the Wallowa Mountains. The byway stretches 218 miles of paved highway; however, there are options to deviate from the original route to various stops, sights, and side trips along the way, which can total 400 miles. Although the route can be completed in five or six hours, most people take two to three days to explore the region. The best time to drive is between June and October, as snow closes the high country between Joseph and Halfway from winter through to late spring. Luckily, the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is rife with outdoor recreational activities, and the closure only enables access to winter activities, creating a whole new experience. Read on for an incredible itinerary on the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway that will leave you with an unforgettable Oregon experience.
Elgin
The small town of Elgin is a perfect first stop on your byway adventure. Elgin blends history, culture, and the outdoors together in one convenient location. Its downtown is lined with historic buildings, including the restored 1912 Elgin Opera House; it hosts the Elgin Stampede each July, and visitors can ride the Eagle Cap Excursion Train. The train operates seasonally between May and October with scheduled 3.5-hour round-trips. The train follows the Grande Ronde River downstream across cliffs and ridges before travelling up the Wild & Scenic Wallowa River.
Minam State Recreation Area
The Minam State Recreation Area is just twenty minutes from Elgin. On the road to Minam, the byway rises in elevation and curves east to follow the flow of the Wallowa River. Both the Minam and Wallowa Rivers flow through canyons, as snowcapped peaks of the Wallowa Mountains appear in the distance. The Minam State Recreation Area provides ample opportunities for recreation on the water, drawing in anglers and boaters from far and wide. The area provides a unique wilderness experience with seasonal camping, featuring 22 primitive campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. The campsite has both access to the river and miles of hiking trails.
Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland
Another twenty minutes southeast and you'll reach the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland, which comprises 320 acres of river frontage, rock bluffs, uplands, and views of the neighbouring mountains, and is open year-round between sunrise and sunset. There are 12 bronze interpretive plaques located throughout the homeland. The visitor center, located in downtown Wallowa, curates and celebrates the people of the Wallowa country and Nez Perce culture. The visitor center has exhibits and galleries that display photographs, artifacts, maps, and art. Additionally, they regularly host free workshops that teach native craft skills, including: basketry, weaving, beading, carving, and plant identification.
Eagle Cap Wilderness
The town of Lostine is ten minutes down the byway from Wallowa and is the gateway into Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon’s largest wilderness area at 360,000 acres. Multiple forestry service roads provide access to Eagle Cap Wilderness year-round, allowing access to 47 trailheads that collectively span 500 miles of scenery, presenting granite peaks, over 60 alpine lakes, and sprawling meadows covered in seasonal wildflowers. Popular activities within the area include fishing, hiking, and camping, with all trails accessible and free from snow by the 4th of July.
Wallowa Lake State Park
Wallowa Lake State Park is nestled thirty minutes from Lostine on the shores of Wallowa Lake, a large glacial lake that is the site of many watersports and recreational activities. The day-use area on the lake shore provides beach access, fishing spots, band oth covered and uncovered picnic sites. Camping is also available year-round, with RV hook-up sites, tent sites, and yurts. If you are eager to get off the byway for the night and want to spend a night by Wallowa Lake, be sure to make time to ride the Wallowa Lake Tramway 8,200 feet to the summit of Mount Howard for views of the Wallowa Lake Basin.
Hells Canyon Overlook
Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America at 7,993 feet; some even say it makes the Grand Canyon look small. The Hells Canyon Overlook is perhaps the most popular roadside stop along the byway. It features interpretive signs, paved parking, toilets, and picnic areas. Visitors to this site can enjoy panoramic views of Hells Canyon and the Seven Devils Mountains, which are located across the border in Idaho. Although the canyon itself was carved by it, the Snake River is not viewable from the overlook, as the canyon is too deep.
Halfway
The town of Halfway is located at the southern base of the Wallowa Mountains, and only 55 miles from Baker City, at the end of the byway. Halfway is a year-round mecca for lovers of the outdoors, with hiking, rafting, camping, and fishing popular in the summer, and snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sledding, and skiing popular in the winter. To learn more about the history of the region, the Pine Valley Community Museum displays collections of mining equipment, farming tools, and homesteading utensils, and features exhibits on blacksmiths and information on former gold mining operations.
National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is one final stop on the Hells Canyon byway, which is located just before you reach the end of the byway at Baker City. Through a series of life-sized displays, multi-media presentations, and hands-on exhibits, the center has recreated the lives and stories of pioneers from the Oregon Trail era, focusing on the connections and conflict between Native Americans and Euro-American emigrants. Additionally, the 500-acre site features a replica of ruts carved by wagons to make a camp, and the remains of the Flagstaff Gold Mine.
An All-American Road Trip Through Oregon
The Hells Canyon All-American Road is a perfect road trip for anyone who wants to have access to Oregon’s wilderness, relax in small towns, and learn about Oregon’s role in American history. From small towns like Elgin, the rich history of the people of Wallowa country and Nez Pez culture, to the expansive Hells Canyon, which plummets deep down to the Snake River, the Hells Canyon All-American Road has something for everyone at each of its stops, making it the ultimate U.S. road trip.
