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Wallowa Lake, Oregon overflows with scenery
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Wallowa Lake
If you’re already planning ahead for long summer weekends or week-long vacations, you’ll want to add picturesque Wallowa Valley to your list. Nestled in the northeast corner of the state, overflowing with 53 lakes and 3,100 streams, it’s no surprise that Wallowa County's Indian name is “Land of the Winding Waters.” And the surrounding snow-capped Wallowa Mountains make it equally easy to understand why it’s also been dubbed “Little Switzerland of America.”
Tucked into the scenery is the tiny mountain community of Wallowa Lake. On one end of town, waterfront Wallowa Lake State Park provides camping, picnicking, wildlife watching, and boating. Five-miles long, one-mile wide, and 283 feet deep, Wallowa Lake was carved by glaciers eons ago and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The highest is 9,838-foot Sacajawea peak. At the other end of town, hiking and horseback trails lead into Eagle Cap Wilderness where white, shaggy mountain goats are often spotted in the higher elevations. In between the natural areas, you’ll find quaint gift shops, small restaurants, cabins, the Wallowa Lake Tram and historic Wallowa Lake Lodge. Kids love the go-carts and bumper boats, but not to worry, there’s no carnival atmosphere upsetting the tranquility. These modest “attractions” are very low-key
Built in the early 1920s, Wallowa Lake Lodge was established as a rustic, yet luxurious, resort. A fine dining restaurant, 22 lodge rooms, and 8 cabins share an 8-acre site with and abundance of overly friendly deer. The lodge property is bounded by Wallowa Lake and Wallowa River, which creates quite a charming setting. A delicious salmon dinner in the lodge’s dining room is a perfect ending to any day. Guests can then spend the rest of the evening playing board games or curled in an overstuffed chair by the stone fireplace. Breakfasts are the best—hazelnut pancakes with marionberry butter and maple syrup! From June though October 15, the Lodge and restaurant are both open. The Lodge and restaurant are open weekends and holidays from October 16 - Memorial Day. The cabins are available all year long. The entire property is non-smoking and no pets.
On a clear day, take the 15-minute scenic ride to the summit of Mount Howard aboard the Wallowa Lake Tram (summit elevation 8,150 feet). The enclosed gondola keeps you quite comfortable even on chilly mountain mornings. When constructed over 30 years ago, this tram was the steepest vertical lift in North America. Although the ticket prices are as steep as the ascent, standing atop Mount Howard provides an incredible bird’s eye view of the Wallowa Mountains, Wallowa Whitman National Forest, deep blue Wallowa Lake, and the entire Wallowa Valley—including the communities of Joseph and Enterprise in the distance. After feasting your eyes on the amazing panoramic view, have lunch or a snack in the Northwest's highest restaurant—the Summit Grill—before riding the tram back down.
There’s plenty more to see and do in eastern Oregon as well, so bring the camera and enjoy the views!
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