For your information, Idaho Power has released the following new item concerning the road to the Hells Canyon Dam and the Hells Canyon Creek Visitor Center in the heart of the canyon. Pack drinking water and a snack, then sit back and enjoy the dramatic scenery if you get delayed. The drive is worth the...Continue Reading
Now is an amazing time to enjoy the scenery along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway All-American Road. The hillsides are many shades of green and wildflowers are in full bloom. There is still snow on the high peaks, adding depth and character to your photos. Please take the road slowly and watch for hazards such...Continue Reading
Wow! It’s hot and dry out there. Please use extra caution to protect yourself and others, wildlife, and our precious landscape! Here is the latest from the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. NEWS RELEASE – Extreme Fire Danger BAKER CITY, Ore. (July 8, 2021) – The Fire Danger Level is now “Extreme” across the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. At midnight...Continue Reading
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife provides weekly reports, with important information for your visit to Hells Canyon Scenic Byway country. Learn more and sign up to receive the weekly digital report at this website: https://myodfw.com/recreation-report Watch wildlife from a distance – June 10, 2021 Leave them where you find them Young wild animals...Continue Reading
The following update to the Joseph Creek and Dry Creek Fires was released by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Saturday, June 12, 2021. ENTERPRISE, OR__On the morning of June 11, at 6:00 a.m., NW Team 7 transitioned management of the fire back to local agencies. Northwest Team 7 would like to thank the entire Wallowa County...Continue Reading
With spring rapidly approaching, we are in the transition time, when the FS 39 Road is still closed due to snow, while the Oregon Department of Transportation is announcing their construction season plans! This can be seen as an indication of the wide range of elevations and landforms traversed by the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway....Continue Reading
Errors in judgement due to misinformation or a lack of knowledge about road conditions can lead to very dangerous situations. Please! Know that the Forest Service Road 39 is closed for winter and not open nor safe for winter travel, other than by snowmobile. Talk to locals and never trust GPS when on roads you...Continue Reading
La Grande, Oregon __Now is a great time for driving country roads and seeking out fresh fruit and vegetables directly from growers. Eastern Oregon has developed a series of self-guided farm trails that lead directly to farm stands, gardens and orchards, for the freshest farm products available. Start with the Union County Farm Loop or...Continue Reading
Sections of the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway travel through the Wallowa Whitman National Forest and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. We have been experiencing very hot, dry weather and there have been thunder and lightening storms in recent days. This has made fire danger throughout the byway high. For everyone’s safety, please follow all...Continue Reading
The holiday season is just around the corner and we want to help ensure you have safe and enjoyable travels. Winter in our corner of Oregon is beautiful! But, for the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, winter means the closure of the Forest Service Road 39, which is the pass that connects Baker County at the...Continue Reading
HALFWAY, OREGON_When Northeast Oregon starts awakening after a long winter, changes in the landscape happen quickly. Many consider this the prettiest time of year in parts of the byway. Dressed for outdoor chores, we took advantage of a change in our plans for the day, and took a drive Saturday, just to enjoy the beauty....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
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
An Announcement from the Oregon Department of Transportation, Wednesday, October 31, 2018: As fall quickly turns to winter, it’s time to prepare for your favorite winter activities. Oregon’s Sno-Park program helps provide snow removal at about 100 winter recreation parking areas (Sno-Parks) across the state.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
BAKER CITY, Oregon__Motorists can expect to see 1,500 bicyclists on eastern Oregon routes this week as Cycle Oregon continues its week-long event that started Saturday in Baker City. The annual two-wheeled pilgrimage saw hundreds of bicyclists travel along OR86 between Baker City and Halfway on Sunday. The group will ride the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway...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
The Oregon Department of Parks & Recreation announced today a special pilot program that will offer discounted rates for electrical and full-hookup RV campsites is now available at selected state parks during September and October. Two parks in Eastern Oregon are included, Starting today, campers will be able to apply a special online code to receive...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
When reading this week’s issue of the Wallowa County Chieftain, I felt Kathleen’s entire Biz Buzz column might be of interest to byway travelers. So, we thank the Chieftain for allowing us to post the column in Byway News. If all of this doesn’t get you excited about visiting Wallowa County, then, well…you haven’t been to...Continue Reading
