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

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

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

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

The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is a thriving this Memorial Day Weekend. Check out the following activities, then go to the Wallowa County, Union County and Baker County websites for even more happenings. Have a safe, fun and meaningful Memorial holiday weekend. Saturday, May 27th Eagle Cap Excursion Train / Two River Bonus, 10:00 am...Continue Reading

Baker City, Oregon__The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Trail Tenders invite the public to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Thursday, May 25, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The event is open to the public and free of charge! Opening remarks will come from former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts,...Continue Reading

Baker City, Ore.__The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is offering special activities for families during Spring Break, March 27 to 30! Ninety minute workshops start at 10 a.m. each day.  The daily themes include: Monday, March 27: Pioneer for a Day – Dress up in pioneer clothing and work with other kids in an...Continue Reading

Baker City, Oregon__The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (NHOTIC) and Trail Tenders are hosting a variety of activities for visitors during “Family Fun Day,” the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 25, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Family fun day offers a chance to learn more about the frontier and natural history of the region...Continue Reading

Baker City, Ore. – A special exhibit at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (NHOTIC) explores the roles that native plants and pollinators play in an ecosystem. “The Native Landscape: Plants & Pollinators of Sagebrush Country” opens July 19 and will be on display through December 12 of this year. Visitors to the exhibit...Continue Reading

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is hosting a Wild Horse and Burro Day on June 15, 2016. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., specialists with the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program will discuss how the program is structured and operated and showcase wild horses available for adoption...Continue Reading

VALE, OREGON__The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City is offering two days of special programs featuring historic re-enactors and demonstrations of frontier life on Memorial Day Weekend! Saturday and Sunday May 28 and 29, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day, interpreters will demonstrate skills such as quilting, black powder shooting,...Continue Reading

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and Trail Tenders volunteer group are hosting a Dutch Oven Cook-off on Saturday October 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the outdoor Wagon Encampment. The Cast Iron Chef Cook-off is a fun team competition celebrating open air cooking, community, and the local harvest. Ten teams of...Continue Reading

Baker City, Oregon__The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center will be re-enacting an Oregon Trail Pioneer Wagon Encampment on September 5 and 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. At the encampment, located outdoors in a circle of replica covered wagons, historical re-enactors cook meals over open fires, and offer samples of the types of...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, OR. – The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is hosting performances by the roots music group “Parlour” of Bend, Oregon. “Seeing the Elephant: Songs Inspired by the Oregon Trail” will be presented on Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29 with shows at 10:30 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. on both days....Continue Reading

Walk among the pines, beside ruts made by covered wagons over 150 years ago! Savor the fresh mountain air as you try to imagine the creak of wagon wheels, the grunts of oxen and the whispering footsteps of weary pioneers. The season is upon us when history comes to life at the Oregon Trail Interpretive...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, OREGON__Trail Tenders’ 2015 Run to the Ruts takes place Saturday, June 6, at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, near Baker City. This fund-raising race is for the whole family and it happens on a free fee day at the Trail Center. The Trail Center is located at 22267 Hwy 86, five miles east...Continue Reading

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City, Oregon, will have two days of living history presentations for visitors over the Memorial Day Weekend at the “Meet the Pioneers” event. On Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, volunteers and staff will demonstrate pioneer skills such as quilting, crafts, and food between 10...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, OR. – The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is hosting several performances by The Quons of “Seeing the Elephant: Songs Inspired by the Oregon Trail.” The performances with readings and commentary will occur on Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 with shows at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 2 p.m. on both...Continue Reading

The vacation season is fully upon us in northeast Oregon and The Wallowas, and the range of events and activities available to byway travelers is amazing. Here are some highlights for the coming week, but be sure to check the event calendars for the full list and details: Visit Baker, Union County Chamber, Wallowa County...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, OR. – The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is offering presentations in the Leo Adler Theater, located inside the Center, daily throughout the remainder of June. Featured visiting presenters are Buffalo Bill Boycott and Michael Terry. Boycott is a Wyoming based performer who presents a program of music both contemporary and traditional...Continue Reading

Those of us fortunate enough to live within view of the Blue and Wallowa Mountains of Northeast Oregon know why we like it here and love looking out at the peaks every day. We each tend to call them “my mountains,” eyeing them closely for passing weather and the change of seasons. We watch the...Continue Reading

Baker City, Oregon__It’s spring! Beautiful Spring! And activities along the byway are warming up. In addition to a greening landscape, frolicking baby animals everywhere, and the gorgeous blue sky, byway attractions and communities are creating fun and educational ways for travelers to enjoy Spring Break. Note: Spring in Eastern Oregon is very capricious. When planning...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, Ore. – A special exhibit of quilts will be on display at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Sept. 27 through Nov. 17. “Enduring Patterns: A Quilted Heritage” includes two dozen quilts representing popular traditional patterns and explores how these patterns have been interpreted by quilt makers over the past two hundred...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, OR – A wagon encampment by historic re-enactors will provide a step back in time for families and travelers visiting the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center over Labor Day Weekend. Historic re-enactors will present an Oregon Trail pioneer wagon camp on Saturday and Sunday September 1-2, 2012, from 10 to 2 each...Continue Reading