Photo Courtesy: Lizzett Zaragoza

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Known by the Nimiipuu as the Land of Winding Waters, Wallowa County comprises the neighboring towns of Minam, Wallowa, Lostine, Enterprise and Joseph. With three rivers flowing through the area, it is a summertime paradise for rafting, boating and fishing. Book a whitewater adventure at Minam Store Outfitters and enjoy the one-of-a-kind return shuttle from the river via railroad tracks.

Spend an afternoon exploring the locally loved Hurricane Creek Trail. With 9,838-foot-tall Sacajewea Peak leading the way, the 5.7-mile roundtrip path to Slick Rock Creek meanders creekside through wildflower meadows and along dramatic cliffs overlooking waterfalls reaching up to 150 feet. Look closely for mountain goats perched above the flow.

The Eagle Cap Excursion Train journeys through roadless backcountry next to the Grande Ronde and Wallowa rivers. Book the Train Robbery tour and relive the Wild West. Joseph Branch Railriders offer visitors a distinctive railbike ride on railroad tracks—a sightseeing adventure on wheels powered by pedaling.

Wallowa Lake sparkles south of Joseph with water activities galore and a forested village tucked above the lake’s moraine-bound shores. Start with a ride up Mount Howard to experience the steepest tram in the United States. Marvel at 360-degree views that look 75 miles past the ridges of Hells Canyon—America’s deepest gorge—to Idaho’s Seven Devils range. From there, explore some of the 534 miles of trails through the alpine lake paradise of the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

Waterski, fish, kayak or book a pontoon boat at Wallowa Lake Marina. For a special sunset treat, witness an eagle’s eye view of the Wallowas on a Bigfoot Helicopters tour. Return to the lake for stargazing and JO Paddles’ clear-bottom boat excursion by the light of the moon. Or head into the backcountry with Go Wild: American Adventures to nourish the body and mind with cuisine and pursuits as inspiring as the scenery.

Photo Courtesy: Talia Jean

Indulge

Free of big box stores and fast food chains, Wallowa County dining is in a class of its own. Find baked goods made from scratch at Sugar Time Bakery or artfully crafted pizzas and salads at M.Crow & Company, a brewery and general store in operation for more than 100 years. Family-run La Laguna offers tried-and-true Mexican recipes and Stubborn Mule Saloon serves giant-size plates of Old West-inspired entrees. Locally made beers shine at Terminal Gravity Brewery & Pub; or spirits made at Steins Distillery are worth a sip. Arrowhead Chocolates blend consciously sourced chocolate with local ingredients to satisfy every sweet tooth.

Photo Courtesy: Mary Liz Austin

Discover

Wallowa County champions the arts. Begin with a foundry tour at Valley Bronze of Oregon, then marvel at the many sculptures adorning Joseph’s Main Street. Linger in the Phinney Gallery of Fine Art, and spend some time in the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture talking with its library director, historian Rich Wandschneider. From there, embark on a cultural adventure to experience more than 300 of Wallowa County’s featured locations on the Northeast Oregon Arts Trail, including the rich cultural site of the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland Visitor Center.

Set out for a peaceful journey of barn-spotting on the Wallowa County Barn Tour, where each barn is an architectural celebration of the farming and ranching history in the region. Stop at Sunrise Iron to wonder at farming equipment from yesteryear. Soak in the beauty of the 515 square-mile Zumwalt Prairie Preserve, the largest surviving prairie in the United States. Rolling green hills blanketed in wildflowers meet endless sky, creating an ideal habitat for one of the West’s largest raptor populations. Bring binoculars and stay awhile.

Photo Courtesy: stevewerblow.com

Rest

Perched high on a hill with incomparable views, Zen House Kominka north of Enterprise turns a place to stay into a transformative retreat. In every moment and detail, from a traditional tea ceremony or luxurious soak gazing at the Wallowas to hosts who capture the essence of Eastern Oregon, this authentic tea house from Japan is a place that makes time stand still.

In Joseph, the Kokanee Inn features comfortable, cozy accommodations and a treehouse patio with views while The Jennings Hotel offers a sophisticated and artistic ambiance.

Owned by a collective of locals, the seasonal Wallowa Lake Lodge awakens in early summer with live outdoor music and world-famous kokanee salmon cooked on the grill. Look for Bob, the caretaker, who has smiling eyes and tells tales of this historic place. Nearby, Eagle Cap Chalets welcomes guests with renovated woodsy cabins and easy access to the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

Venture to Oregon’s northeasternmost corner in the warm days of summer, and be sure to wave at every passerby. “Because,” as Dave Hurley of the Wallowa Lake Association shared, “that’s what we do here.”