We are having a rough summer when it comes to wildfires in Eastern Oregon. There have been several large fires in our region, including one that is burning near Halfway and Richland, north and west of OR Hwy 86. That means there is smoke in the air, so our scenery isn’t as clear as usual....Continue Reading
Slow down, stay alert and be prepared for work zones LA GRANDE, Ore. – Warmer weather and longer days mean it is time for highway upgrades across the state. The Oregon Department of Transportation is constructing over three-dozen key highway projects this year in eastern Oregon to fix pavement, sidewalks and bridges to make the...Continue Reading
It is officially summer and the season for exploring the byway is fully underway. The Forest Service 39 Road is open, providing amazing views in every direction, access to the Hells Canyon Overlook, and closing the loop between Pine Valley, Halfway and the shores of the Snake River (and all of the recreation activities the...Continue Reading
The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway website has received a fresh look over winter. We hope you find it appealing and easy to navigate. We will be adding information about byway area activities over the coming months. Check out the links on the “Visitor Resources” page for travel and community information. Spring is finally in the...Continue Reading
While filling out your gift list, rememberall of the great tastes and discoveries made while exploring the reaches of Eastern Oregon and include some of those treasures for your friends and loved ones.Continue Reading
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and families are making plans for the long weekend. If you are looking for ways to fill the four-day weekend with fun, check out these activities along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway in Northeast Oregon.Continue Reading
LA GRANDE, OREGON__The Grande Ronde Symphony Association celebrated 70 years of music during their annual fundraising event in La Grande last month.Continue Reading
ELGIN, OREGON__The Elgin Opera House opens another lively musical fit for the whole family this month. Opera House gem Jeannette Smith returns to the Opera House stage as the lead in Mary Poppins, the classic Walt Disney musical, running September 21st through mid-October.Continue Reading
Summer is coming to an end and fall is in the air. That means harvest is well under way in northeast Oregon and there are ample opportunities to fill your plate with fresh, locally produced food and stock up the cellar in preparation for winter.Continue Reading
The 40th edition of Oregon’s Alpenfest, takes place Thursday, Sept. 27, through Sunday, Sept. 30. Swiss, Germans and anyone else who appreciates Alpine traditions gather each September in Wallowa County to celebrate lively polka, soothing alphorn music, melodic Swiss yodeling, savory bratwurst and eastern Oregon craft beer. Oregon’s Alpenfest, the only Swiss-Bavarian cultural festival in...Continue Reading
ELGIN, OREGON__The fall season is here, with the weather getting milder and fall colors just beginning to show in the river canyons. The Eagle Cap Excursion Train volunteer car hosts and engineers anticipate a relaxed autumn, with opportunities for learning, along with great sightseeing. Saturday, September 8, is what we have been calling the Mystery...Continue Reading
BAKER CITY OREGON__National touring artist Cale Moon will perform during Hells Canyon Mules Days at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds in Enterprise, Saturday, September 8, at 7 p.m., and again in Baker City at Powder River Pavilion in Geiser-Pollman Park, Sunday, September 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. According to his website: “Cale has become one...Continue Reading
BAKER CITY, OREGON__Join a living history encampment of re-enactors sharing the sights and sounds of an Oregon Trail Wagon Train, September 1st and 2nd at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City. The Wagon Encampment will be active 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., populated by a variety of pioneers recreating a “nooning” lunchtime...Continue Reading
BAKER CITY, OREGON__With forecasts for smoky days and potential thundershowers, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center offers some ideas for indoor things for residents and visitors to do at the Center. Take in a performance of “Dr. Balthasar” in the air conditioned Leo Adler Theater. Portraying a mid-1800s medicine show, Dr. Balthasar sells miracle...Continue Reading
Flora, Oregon__At the north end of Wallowa County, in the tiny community of Flora, skills associated with pioneers and early settlers are valued and passed along. These skills are demonstrated each year during Flora School Days, while classes and activities from July through October teach the skills. Vanessa Thompson describes the upcoming activities: If you...Continue Reading
See the canyon from a raft or jet boat for a really refreshing and up-close view or the dramatic scenery. Hells Canyon Adventures operates on the Snake River, in the very heart of the canyon. Here is the schedule for the week of August 13, 2018. All tours begin and end one mile below Hells Canyon...Continue Reading
It’s County Fair time in Byway Country! Attend a quintessential county fair to see farm and ranch animals, 4H and FFA competitions, and to experience life in the close-knit communities of Northeast Oregon. Sample fair food and visit commercial and non-profit booths to learn what is available and the hot topics in our neck of...Continue Reading
Flora, Oregon—School Days, a celebration of old-time skills, food and music, now encompasses old-time contests and competitions. The annual celebration, held the first Saturday in June, starts at noon, Saturday, June 2, with music, demonstrations and a pie social. Lunch, the “two-handed plate” of food from the Dutch oven, starts serving around 1 p.m. Blacksmith...Continue Reading
Information provided by Hells Canyon Adventures Oxbow, Oregon__Hells Canyon Adventures has launched their 2018 season and is offering rafting and jet boat tours on the Snake River in Hells Canyon. HCA is the only company that provides a variety of jet boat tours, raft adventures, fishing charters, and shuttle services into the heart of Hells Canyon – South Entrance /...Continue Reading
ELGIN, OREGON__The Eagle Cap Excursion Train normally kicks off the new season with the popular Mother’s Day Brunch. In 2018, May 5th just happens to fall on a Saturday, so they are beginning the season early and offering the opportunity for passengers to celebrate the Mexican Holiday on the train. Cinco De Mayo Restaurant, of...Continue Reading
RE: From Maxville to Vanport: A Community-Guided Music and Video Project coming to Baker City in April of 2018 Supported by a grant from the Oregon Community Foundation’s Creative Heights program, the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble is producing a new concert of original songs and video inspired by the stories of the multi-cultural populations of...Continue Reading
The busy summer season has passed, but there is no shortage of fun and worthwhile activities happening in Wallowa County and throughout the byway over the next few days. From pumpkin patches to Halloween costume parties at favorite watering holes to a lively musical version of The Addams Family, playing at the Elgin Opera House,...Continue Reading
BAKER CITY, OR__In support of its goal to serve the American family, the Bureau of Land Management’s National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center will host a re-enactment of an Oregon Trail pioneer wagon encampment over Labor Day weekend on Saturday, September 2 and Sunday, September 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located outdoors in...Continue Reading
Two of the byway’s most popular outdoor recreation providers have announced their schedules for the upcoming weekend and solar eclipse event. Take a ride to the top of the Wallowas and enjoy spectacular views in every direction, or challenge the rapids of the Snake River, down in the depths of Hells Canyon. Wallowa Lake Tramway:...Continue Reading
Baker City, Ore. – Trail Tenders is sponsoring a special free evening concert by western singer and entertainer Mary Kaye on Friday July 28. The concert starts at 6:30 in the outdoor amphitheater at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Mary Kaye is an award winning western singer and songwriter. With a mix of...Continue Reading
As is typical in byway country during the heart of summer, there are lots of ways to spend the weekend, soaking up the sun or cooling off in a watery wonderland. In Baker City, it’s time for Minor’s Jubilee – a celebration of the region’s gold mining history and a great excuse for lining up...Continue Reading
BAKER CITY, Oregon__The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is hosting several special interpretive programs throughout July for visitors at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, providing lots of opportunities for visitors and families to enjoy the outdoors and learn about the old west during their summer vacations. With these presentations, the BLM invites visitors...Continue Reading
The Wallowa Whitman National Forest announces Forest Service Road 39, also known as the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road, is now open for the season and maintained. Routine maintenance will continue to be done on it throughout the travel season. This is the section of the byway that completes the loop from Wallowa County to the north with Halfway in...Continue Reading
The Baker City Cycling Classic will take place June 23 through June 25, 2017. Motorists can expect delays on Friday morning on Hwy 30 in Baker City and toward Haines, also Hwy 203 and into Keating, Hwy 86 back to Baker City and finishing on Atwood. Racing begins at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude around...Continue Reading
BAKER CITY, Oregon__On Wednesday, June 14, the Bureau of Land Management is holding a Wild Horse educational event at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Bureau of Land Management invites families, youth and visitors to learn how public lands connect them to America’s natural and cultural heritage...Continue Reading
