Area Attractions

Traveling by way of Highway 95 and connecting roads will allow you to see all the small farming/agricultural and timber communities that make up the heartland of Idaho. You will also see a few historical ranches, Native American landmarks, and come across parts of the Lewis and Clark expedition. As you get closer to Highway 71, which takes you to the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area you will enter into the town of Council and Cambridge if coming from the North. If time allows, we suggest you stop and visit the museums in Council and Cambridge. You will learn about what it takes to live in rural Idaho. Once traveling on Highway 71, you will travel over the Brownlee Summit (great photo opportunity) where you will see the Hells Canyon Rim Country which includes parts of the Wallowa Mountains, Eagle Caps, and the west face of Cuddy Mountain. As you get farther down Highway 71, you will eventually start traveling along the shorelines of the Brownlee Reservoir, Oxbow Reservoir and Hells Canyon Reservoir. Once you reach Oxbow you will start traveling on the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway. Idaho is a beautiful state. Give yourself extra travel time so you can stop and view all the amazing scenery you come upon.

We recommend you take the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, one of America’s premier scenic routes. The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway includes the Grande Ronde Valley to Wallowa Valley, Wallowa Mountain Loop and the Pine Valley to Baker Valley. For more details be sure and look at the brochure included in your packet of information. Never travel on the same road twice while traveling through Oregon. We would hate for you to miss all the amazing historical landmarks and fantastic scenery.

If you travel the Wallowa Mountain Loop, you will experience small town hospitality in Wallowa, Enterprise, and Joseph. Each town has cute shops to visit. Take a ride on the Wallowa Lake Tramway. The view is spectacular. Overall the food and lodging is great in that area. While traveling on USFS Road 39 be sure and stop at the Hells Canyon Overlook.

If traveling Highway 86 from Historic Baker City, you will want to visit the refurbished turn of the century buildings in town.  They have a variety of coffee shops, sandwich shops, and many great places to stay for an evening.  Definitely allow time to visit the Oregon Trail Interpretative Center located approximately 8 miles from Historic Baker City.  Halfway, Oregon (the first .com town) is just off Highway 86 on your way to or from Hells Canyon.  There are some antique shops, a nice quilting store, and restaurants located there.

If time allows, be sure and visit Sumpter and Granite.  Sumpter and Granite are mining communities located 30 minutes west of Baker City.  In Sumpter you will find the Sumpter Dredge, which is now a mining museum.  You can also take a ride on the Narrow Gage Steam Locomotives.