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Start your journey at the Eastern Oregon Regional Fire Museum in historic downtown La Grande, the northwest portal to the byway. Eight antique and vintage fire trucks are the highlights of this museum, which is located in a historic building that served as the city's fire station for over 100 years. Stock up on snacks and beverages, gas, souvenirs and information before beginning your byway adventure. Next stop, tour the Elgin Opera House theater and back stage, then learn about the history of Elgin's Indian Valley area at the in-house museum. The drive between Elgin and Wallowa is spectacular, with plenty of jaw-dropping views into the Minam River breaks. The Minam and Wallowa Rivers collide at Minam, where the waters of the two rivers remain distinct for some distance downstream. This is a popular launch site for rafters. Wallowa Valley views are breathtaking around every bend in the road. Stop for refreshments at any of the friendly byway communities. Each has its own personality and stories to tell. The huge green meadows and historic barns show this lush valley is cattle country. The Wallowa Mountain Visitor Center, operated by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, is located on a hill above Enterprise. Truly a "must stop" for byway travelers, the visitor center offers an outstanding array of information and displays on the area's natural, geological and cultural history. Get expert advice on the best places to hike, camp and view this magnificent area, from the peaks of the Wallowa Mountains to the depths of Hells Canyon. Next stop, the tiny historic town of Joseph, where bronze foundry tours and art galleries top the list of things you may not expect to find in Oregon's remote northeast corner. And there is no town in America with a more scenic backdrop. After taking in Joseph's acclaimed "Art Walk," head on up the road to where State Route 82 ends at Wallowa Lake. Schedule plenty of time to visit the historic lodge, state park, boat dock and peak-hopping tramway. Full visitor services are available here, as well as in most byway towns. The Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (U.S. Forest Service Road 39) portion of the byway crosses a mountain pass and connects the Wallowa Valley with the Pine Valley. It also provides access to the banks of the Snake River itself. On the way, don't miss the turn-off to the Hells Canyon Overlook for expansive, top-down views into canyon country. Interpretive signs describe the formation of this magnificent landscape. At Copperfield, arrange for a raft of jetboat ride through the rapids of America's deepest canyon. From the river, the byway follows portions of the Historic Oregon Trail, through protected little valleys, past basalt cliffs and across vast sage-covered flats. The Wallowa Mountains are behind you now - the Elkhorn Ridge of the Blue Mountains advance from the west. Stop at the Hole-In-The-Wall Landslide for a more recent look at nature's power, then proceed to the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. You will need at least two hours here to learn about the triumphs and trials of pioneer travel and our nation's largest voluntary land migration. End your byway journey at historic Baker City, also known as the "Queen City of the Mines." A regional museum that features an outstanding exhibit of rocks and minerals and an enchanting restored downtown are the final byway "must see" attractions. Travel
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