Baker City

Informative and interesting. You can see the old ruts from the wagon trains on the hills near the museum. The Center is a National Historic Site and there is an entrance fee although National Park passes may be used here.

Housed in the 1920 Baker Municipal Natatorium.

This is the southern end of the Hells Canyon Scenic Highway which follows Rte 86 east of town to the Snake River on the Oregon-Idaho border. The Scenic drive can be followed as a big loop around to Joseph and La Grande further to the north. Be aware that driving the entire loop may not be possible during winter as some roads are not maintained and can be blocked by snow. This situation may exist well into spring (ie: late April). Some of the roads traverse high terrain where winter snows may linger longer than you might expect.

The town has numerous restored older buildings and there is a walking route around the downtown featuring many of these fine old structures.

A wonderful drive through the Elkhorn Mountains just outside of Baker City. It follows Highway 7 to Sumpter and around to Haines past Anthony Lakes Ski Area and the North Fork John Day River Wilderness. This route is also often tough in Winter.