Northeast Oregon

[Janss]

Thinking of spending a week or 10 days in northeast Oregon this summer before going over to the central Oregon Coast. (No help needed with coast.) Probably coming north on I-84.

Wallowa Lake and John Day Fossil Beds and Painted Hills, maybe Sumpter dredge and railroad are all I know to include. Would like some help with itinerary in the area.

My spouse is handicapped....walker and mobility scooter are used as appropriate/necessary. So we mostly do scenic drives, viewpoints, visitor centers, museums, trams, boat tours (if easy to get on and off). No major hiking, though sometimes I walk a bit on a trail.

What other sites might we include? Anything in LaGrande or Baker City worth seeing?

Is this the best way to see Hell's Canyon? And is this road paved?
Joseph to Hell's Canyon

RV park suggestions? We need at least electric. I know about Wallowa Lake SP (or RV park in Joseph/Enterprise if SP is full). What is a convenient park for John Day Fossil Beds, with the different sections? Any other RV Parks near other suggested sightseeing?

[Janss]

Some good information there. Thank you very much!

[RedRollingRoadb]

There was (is?) a city park with about 5 spaces of RV parking in Mitchell, OR not to far from Painted Hills. Had 30 amp electric and two water risers. Don't see it listed now. Was there in 2016. Clyde Holliday St Park might be your best bet but about 70 miles to Painted Hills. Last year I checked out a few others in the general area that sounded good but plans changed.

Wallowa St Park is really nice. No cell reception in the park as of 2016. We stayed at Wallowa River RV Park, a small mom and pop operation. Nice guy, laid back. River on on side of property if you like to drown worms. Shorter drive through sites.

Sisters Creekside in Sisters, OR nice park. Kinda close quarters but nice. Walking distance into town and restaurants. Tumalo St Park is another one near by.

Mtn. View RV in Baker, OR is a nice place. Well maintained, friendly staff.

Decent fuel stop in Redmond is a Fred Meyer Fuel. Good in/out.

I thought I saw that the Oregon Trail Interpretative Center was closed this year for repairs so you might check the website.

EDIT: Looks like the city park in Mitchell is open. https://www.mitchelloregon.us/stay

[ramyankee]

RckyMtnVia wrote:
We have also stayed at Boardman Marina RV Park and it is a great spot, right on the Columbia River. If you go across the bridge to Washington, the Columbia Crest Winery is right there.

Another vote for Boardman Marina. There is also Ordnance Brewery in Boardman. Understand another one has opened. A bit of a drive, probably an hour west is Maryhill Winery just northwest of Biggs Junction but on the Washington side. Also Peach Beach RV Park. Just above Peach Beach is a WW1 tribute to a large number of casualties from the county constructed as a replica of Stonehenge. Sorry cannot remember the name.

[Janss]

Not really planning to go north of La Grande on I-84 this time, but thanks for the suggestions. We've been across the Columbia River a few times in past years. But timing and miles just didn't enable us to stop in Pendleton or at Boardman RV Park. I certainly will keep those on my list for the future.

After Painted Hills area, we'll be going west on 26/126/20 to Newport. So I'll keep the Smith Rock State Park on my radar. Thanks!

[RckyMtnVia]

We have also stayed at Boardman Marina RV Park and it is a great spot, right on the Columbia River. If you go across the bridge to Washington, the Columbia Crest Winery is right there.

[RickLight]

We were there last fall.
+1 Oregon Trail museum, and was open during pandemic!
+2 Travel Oregon website, it's all there!
Bookmark tripcheck.com the OR DOT website.
Gas is infrequent, plan ahead.

Smith Rocks are cool, with paved trails. Watch the rock climbers and cliff birds from a safe place.
Pendleton is nice if things are open. The casino RV park is good. Their cultural center is supposed to be good but was closed last summer.
John Day NM visitor centers are closed.

I'm sensing a theme...

[Janss]

I know our ability to visit the indoor sites (visitors centers, etc.) will depend on relaxation of covid restrictions (and me getting the vaccine!). I see right now, many sites are not open.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

[Timmo_]

A nice source for Oregon travel guides and scenic byways. They will mail them to you at no cost.

https://forms.traveloregon.com/domestic-visitors-guide

https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/scenic-drives/

[WE-C-USA]

LaGrande is home to both Northwood and Outdoors RV. You could schedule a tour of one of the plants and see RVs built.

[Janss]

Thank you for all the info and tips!

[donkeydew]

the oregon trail interpretive center just out of baker is well worth a look

[TUCQUALA]

To answer your question aboot the Joseph to Hells Canyon drive, most of it is paved. There are a few miles of uphill gravel/dirt on the NF road heading south from Joseph, otherwise almost all pretty much good pavement (but curvy!!). There are a few, nice NF campgrounds along the way, but really all are dry camping

Woodhead Park on the Snake is a very nice CG, water & elec with dump station. But would be out of your way if coming in from I84 to Halfway.

[rr2254545]

We enjoyed the Boardman Marina Park RV Campground in Boardman Oregon , full hookups on the Columbia river just off I84

" take a walk or a bike ride along our paved, 3-mile walking trail"
Full hookups - a truely great park

We paid $40 in June of 2018 - do not see rates on their site

[RWGuidinger]

Baker Oregon has the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. East from Baker is Sumpter Oregon, which was a former gold mining town. Oregon State Parks has the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Historic Area there.

Lots of other things to see in the area. I would check the Baker City and LaGrande Websites for tourist information.

B.Guidinger