Hells Canyon Scenic Byway

This 218-mile loop in northeast Oregon follows the Wallowa River through Enterprise and Joseph, passes Wallowa Lake and the Eagle Cap Wilderness, and links to Hells Canyon on the Snake River. It is quiet, remote and mostly empty. It suits those who want a mountain lake, small towns and few crowds.

The stops

1. Start

   La Grande

2. Town

   Elgin

   Historic stop with an opera house

3. Town

   Enterprise

   County seat with breweries

4. Town · Overnight

   Joseph

   Bronze sculpture foundries and a mountain view

5. Beach

   Wallowa Lake

   Glacial lake with a state park and tramway

6. Town

   Imnaha

   Tiny canyon community, gateway to Hat Point

7. Town

   Halfway

   Quiet farming town in Pine Valley

8. Town

   Baker City

   Historic district and the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

9. Finish

   Baker City

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Joseph

  Wallowa Lake State Park · Joseph motels

• Night 2

  Baker City

  Union Creek campground

When to go

Jun-Oct; some forest roads are closed in winter

On the road

Fuel is limited between towns. Hat Point and the canyon overlooks use unpaved forest roads.