As you look forward to summer, with hopes of a quarantine lift, set your sights on a vacation in the beautiful Wallowa Mountains of Oregon. The beauty of Wallowa Lake, the rustic city of nearby Joseph, and the activities at the state park offer experiences for all ages.
The drive from the Tri-Cities to Wallowa Lake Resort will take at least 3.5 hours, but plan for stops in small towns, along brooks, and possibly to shop for food if you plan to camp while gone. Take I-82 out of Kennewick to I-84 through Pendleton and turn at LaGrande toward Elgin. If you want a more scenic drive, head through Pasco toward Walla Walla and over the Blue Mountains (via Milton-Freewater and Tollgate). Both of these routes intersect at Elgin. From this small western town, travel on 82 through the beautiful towns of Wallowa, Lostine, Enterprise, and Joseph.
As you leave Joseph, you will travel along the side of a pronounced geologic feature of a glacial lateral moraine. This road stretch is 3.5 miles long to the head of the lake where the state park lays. If you want to camp, there are electrical and water hook-ups, or tent sites…some with streams running near. Yurts are available for those without campers or tents and there are group sites. If you prefer not to camp, rooms are available at the historic Wallowa Lake Lodge, built in the 1920’s. Also, there are many rental companies that offer cabins tucked into the firs and pines of the area.
Many visitors use Wallowa Lake as a takeoff point for hiking in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, an area of rugged peaks that look like the Swiss Alps. If a backpack, freeze dried food, wool socks, and boots are not your idea of fun, taking a tramway ride, ascending 3700’ vertical feet to the summit of Mt. Howard will offer fabulous views of the lake and higher mountains. Excellent eats and fresh, local brews are offered at the Summit Grill at mountain’s top.
Back at lake level, outdoor activities abound. The go-carts, near the base of the tram, are well kept and keep the competition lively as family and friends race to the finish. There are two miniature golf courses in case you didn’t win on the racetrack. The old skating rink is now used for community style events, like Alpenfest, a festival held at the end of September with Swiss music, bratwursts, and beer. Of course, swimming, paddleboats, and fishing are lake activities to be enjoyed, but be warned…the water is COLD!
Eating on this vacation is also enjoyable. Some may enjoy campsite cooking. Some may enjoy excellent dinners at the Lodge, or the best fresh fries at Russell’s. Many people drive the length of the lake to Joseph where many restaurants wait to serve tourists. Vali’s Alpine Restaurant has excellent apple strudel if you’re feeling your Alpine self; if you’re missing Mexican, La Laguna offers excellent flavors. The Old Town Café and The Dog Spot score high on the ratings of all visitors…just walk down Main Street and you’ll find something to please.
Wallowa Lake in Oregon offers a fabulous weekend getaway to beautiful mountains and a deep blue glacial lake. It’s always amazing to leave the desert that is the Tri-Cities and be in “America’s Little Switzerland” in less than four hours. Put this on your “must do” list for this summer.