In a perfect alignment of climate, geology, and the passage of time, the great moraines that form Wallowa Lake came into being, captivating all who see it for the first time.
Often called “The Crown Jewel,” “The Sapphire amidst Astounding Landscapes,” and the “WOW of the Wallowas,” Wallowa Lake evokes expressions of awe that words can hardly capture. Its iconic image graces numerous articles about the area, symbolizing its status as Northeast Oregon's most cherished destination.
High in Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains, the lakes of the Eagle Cap Wilderness sit like a string of polished gems in glacial bowls—clear, cold, and framed by pale granite ridges and wildflower meadows. The wilderness is defined by these high alpine lakes and U‑shaped glaciated valleys, a landscape shaped by ice and time.
The Eagle cap has 52 named lakes surrounded by wilderness, including Legore Lake at 8,950 feet, Oregon’s highest. It would be fun to visit them all in a lifetime, but here are a few beloved examples that are accessed from Joseph area trailheads.
The county’s small ponds are a great way to introduce kids to the sport: they’re intentionally stocked for family fishing, easy access, and short outings rather than trophy backcountry trips. Many are shallow and warm in summer for a nice swim. The fishing can be very livey within a week of the stocking date, so check the calendar.
Wallowa Lake State Park is one of the most popular state parks in Oregon. The lakes striking beauty, clean air and water are just a few of the many reasons people vacation here. It also is pretty calm lake, making it ideal for paddle-boarders, skiers, canoes and kayaks.
The Eagle Cap Wilderness, at 361,446 acres (556 sq miles) is Oregon's largest. Within these white, salt-and-pepper granite mountains, you'll find approximately 534 miles of developed trails and over 50 lakes to explore, including Legore at an elevation of 8,880 feet- Oregon's highest.
The Joseph area has access to literally hundreds of miles of trails for hikers and horseman to discover and explore. In the Eagle Cap Wilderness you’ll find that most trails are rocky and moderately difficult. Casual hikers can find many miles of trails that offer exceptional scenic experiences as well. The stunning mix of varied landscapes and visual surprises is hard to completely cover in a lifetime.
The Wallowa Lake Trailhead is at the end of Hwy 82, just 7 miles south of Joseph, Oregon. This is where you'll find the main local trailhead into Oregon's Largest Wilderness, The Eagle Cap. If you thought this area was beautiful from the outside, entering the wilderness will simply blow you away!
The Eagle Cap is a true National Treasure, one that still affords unparalleled peace and quiet; a rare quality in today's world.
If you ask locals to name their favorite places in Wallowa County, chances are this geologic wonder will be high on their list. Its unique shape and those large boulders that line the ridge very much set it apart from other landforms. In spring a mass bloom of large yellow daisy-like flowers (Arrowleaf Balsamroot) heralds in the season of warmer weather and calls for closer examination. Seeing it from below, you can’t help but wonder; what’s it like up there? If you do spend any time on top you'll come to agree with the Nez Perce - this is sacred land.
The second most popular trailhead (after the Wallowa Lake Trailhead) is located just a short country drive away.
The trailhead at Hurricane Creek offers a fairly gradual way into the Eagle Cap and has majestic mountain views within the first mile that only get better the farther you go. It follows along the creek to open meadows where Mountain Goats are often spotted along the ridges above (bring your binoculars).
If you’re planning on hiking the Eagle Cap but haven’t quite got your hiking legs on, a little known shortcut into the mountains is the Tenderfoot Trailhead. Right from the start, you’re almost 2000’ higher (at 6500’) than any of the other local trailheads and it’s just 3.6 miles to Bonny Lakes, a beautiful destination. From there you have you have opportunities to explore other features that are close by, making this a great option for day hikers or for overnight campers looking for an easier way into wilderness.
This is a trail that can be made short or long as you like and offers great views of Wallowa Lake within the first mile. It ultimately leads up to the top of Chief Joseph Mountain, a strenuous hike indeed.
The popular West Fork Wallowa River Trail (#1820) provides a primary gateway into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. It travels gradually upriver into all the regions that define area, including the always-popular Lakes Basin.
Ice Lake is one of the most outstanding and loved locations in the Eagle Cap. Even though the location is just under 8 miles from the Wallowa Lake Trailhead, the last 5 miles involves numerous switchbacks over rocky ground and gains 2350’ in elevation.
This steep trail accesses the main destinations of Aneroid Lake and Tenderfoot Pass. Its popularity is somewhat limited because of its arduous nature, making it the perfect trail for the fit and those who enjoy a little extra tranquility.
You don’t have to go far to find something spectacular around Joseph. Start at the Wallowa Lake Trailhead and head up the West Fork Trail (#1820) on the right. Go about ¼ mile to where the trail forks and go right at that fork. In just a few feet you’ll see that the main trail follows left in about the same direction (upstream) that you were going at the fork, but if you want to see the falls, you’ll need to follow the less-used trail to the right (downstream, in the opposite direction of the main Chief Joseph Trail).
As you proceed down river you’ll come across many spectacular (and scary) overlooks on the river below- keep going and you’ll find where BC Creek merges with the West Fork to create an exceptional waterfall. Behind you, towards the lake, will be a little knob, climb it and get ready for great pictures of Wallowa Lake. This trail has cliffs along the way, and even though the trail is wide and safe, you don’t have to stray far to find real danger- please leash your dog and keep an eye on your little ones.
Another great trailhead into the Eagle Cap is found just a short drive away. It offers two possibilities (actually three). One is to take the fairly gradual trail into the beautiful McCully Basin, about 5 miles and gaining 1900’. The other is to follow the tram service road up the back side of Mt. Howard for 3.5 miles up to the top tramway station, gaining 3000’ in the hike.
If you’re visiting for the first time, you probably came here for the mountains, but did you know that there’s a rare and spectacular feature that most never visit? It’s the vast, 515 sq. mile (329,600 acre) prairie known as the Zumwalt and its largely pristine and intact. It’s boundary extends northeast from all the towns in the Wallowa Valley right up to the forests that mark the rim overlooking the Snake River along the Oregon-Idaho border. This once-common landscape covered some 40 percent of the U.S, but today less that 2 percent remains. If you like rolling hills, vast skies, green fields and wildflowers, our prairie environs are sure to impress.
Valley Bronze of Oregon has been in continuous production at its foundry facility in Joseph, Oregon, since 1982. Starting as a small bronze art casting facility serving local artists with less than a dozen employees, Valley Bronze added a monument facility in 1987, with the extra space, ceiling height, and equipment to accommodate larger bronze sculptures and major art casting and fabrication projects.
The stunning landscape around Joseph Oregon is characterized by extremes of elevation. While most rightly associate the Joseph area with the mountains, a vast area is actually made up of canyons.
Looking at a topographic map of the area reveals a very furrowed landscape- in fact if it weren't for the higher mountains, Joseph might well be thought of as 'Canyon Country.' And our canyons aren't just slight little things; they include the deepest gorge North America!
The Hells Canyon Overlook presents a perfect opportunity to travel the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, a favorite for those into 'touring', whether by bicycle, motorcycle, car or RV. This is also a great route to see the upper Imnaha River region and some of the most beautiful old-growth Ponderosa Pine forests in the lower 48.
Buckhorn Lookout presents one of the most vast and beautiful canyon views anywhere, even if you've visited The Grand Canyon. This beautiful drive travels through Oregon’s largest natural intact grassland: The Zumwalt Prairie. In June there are wildflowers galore and the emerald green fields of grass when they’re moving in a breeze are a sight to behold.