Tucked in a serene corner of Northeast Oregon, a small mountain town boasts remarkable attributes.
Upon first glimpse, Joseph Oregon, with its vibrant green valley and towering mountain backdrop, redefines 'spectacular'—this is our town. Sapphire lakes, lofty mountain passes, turbulent rivers, and vast canyons deeper than the famed 'Grand' beckon the adventurous soul.
Here, one can effortlessly encounter tranquil surroundings of untouched beauty where wild nature endures—untainted, just as it was when Native Americans inhabited these lands long ago.
The diversity of habitats here is unmatched, largely due to the terrain's undulating nature; from summit crests to riverbeds, the area would nearly double in size if flattened—but that would diminish its charm.
Home to Oregon's most expansive natural wilderness, The Eagle Cap, with its 361,446 acres and 534 miles of trails, promises endless discovery and wonder.
While the Eagle Cap is impressive, the adjacent Hells Canyon Recreation Area spans 652,488 acres of nearly untouched wilderness, accessible by vehicle.
Between these two areas, there's a wealth of experiences for every type of outdoor enthusiast and explorer.
And there's even more! Managed by The Nature Conservancy, the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve covers 33,000 acres of natural grassland, representing the largest undisturbed ecosystem of its kind.
Witnessing the breeze sweep across such a landscape is to truly appreciate the visual poetry of nature.
The Snake River carves through Hells Canyon, forming America's deepest gorge, offering some of the most exhilarating whitewater adventures available.
Opt for a jet-boat excursion for an unforgettable journey through Hells Canyons Adventures book the yellow boat, or if you're seeking a challenge, navigate the rapids in an inflatable raft or kayak, propelled solely by the river's current at Winding Waters River Expedition.
Local wildlife exhibits a remarkable level of comfort with human residents. Deer, often found within the town's limits, pay little heed to human presence, and some seem willing to step indoors if possible.
Bird enthusiasts flock to the area for its diverse avian population, including a significant number of raptors —one of the highest concentrations in the U.S. Foxes and skunks, living on the town's periphery, are a common sight, delighting both locals and visitors.
Surrounding Joseph, expansive and interconnected habitats sustain robust populations of Elk, Mule Deer, Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, Bears,Cougars and Wolves. In these intact ecosystems, wildlife flourishes, making wildlife observation a particularly gratifying activity.
Joseph is home to an eclectic mix of people- true cowboys mix with world-class artists to create an atmosphere that’s both traditional and progressive. This unusual fusion accents the uniqueness of each while complementing both.
The late Austin Barton, one of our most iconic local artists, was first a bronc-busting cowboy.
Everywhere you'll find warm and friendly people—so don't be surprised to find yourself engaged in conversation with the locals. Locals talk, wave and are generally neighborly with anyone they see, because in small towns, given time, you'll probably see them again and even become friends.
It's comforting, and infectious—you'll see.
Like a page out of an earlier time, to be here is like stepping back into a pace that more closely matches 'normal.'
Travel just beyond the lightly populated settlements and the pace becomes almost timeless, limited only by the rhythms of nature. Joseph has that unique gift to raise a sense of well being, nourishing peace-starved souls.
It's a place where you'll not need a vacation to recover from your vacation.
Getting here
This is a destination that you have to make an effort to come to. We're kinda-not-really on the way to anywhere.
Although we do have an airport capable of landing small jets, no commercial flights come to this area; Boise is about as close as you can get and it's just a regional. The closest International Airport is Portland. From there you can schedule a commuter flight to Lewiston or Pendleton where you can rent a car for the final leg of the journey.
The Wallowa Lake Highway (Hwy 82) originates in LaGrande, Oregon and dead-ends at the trailhead about a mile south of Wallowa Lake. Joseph is about 7 miles before the end of that 70 mile long road. It services traffic coming from Portland or Boise.
The North Highway (Hwy 3) travels through the Rattlesnake Grade (winding) north to the towns of Lewiston/Clarkston.
Travel times from Portland is about 5.5 hours, Boise is 4 and Lewiston is 2.5 hours.
While we might be at the end of major roads, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of other great roads to explore this magnificent area, including the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway.