The Wallowa Lake area is a destination hot-spot for the northeastern Oregon region. If you read our posts you may remember that we have an itinerary for the Hells Canyon Scenic Drive that includes Joseph and Wallowa Lake, but this isn’t a place you come to only once. As is often the case, there is more to do than you will have time for—thus we offer a second itinerary as a weekend trip.
When to visit: Wallowa Lake Tramway is the center-point activity of the itinerary so your visit needs to be during the tramway season—Memorial Day weekend through September, but we are recommending an even more specialized visit as we hope you will include a show at the Elgin Opera House. Whether you come from La Grande and I-84 or come by way of SR-204 through Tollgate, you will arrive at Elgin, where we begin.
Elgin Opera House
The historic Elgin Opera House, a Colonial style brick building with a dressed stone foundation, was completed in 1912 to function as both a city hall with government offices and a performing arts center. At its completion, the opera house was lauded as among the finest due to its sharp acoustics and slanted seating. The building is now on the National Register of Historic Places and is the home of the Friends of the Opera House performing arts group, an amateur theatre group of well developed and directed talent. We have many times driven a four-hour round trip to enjoy performances and are amazed at what this performing troupe is capable of presenting!
Performances usually begin early in April and run the rest of the year. When planning your visit, begin with checking the opera house website to select your performance date and purchase your tickets. The early Saturday performance usually begins at 12:30—this performance time works best as it allows you plenty of time to drive to Joseph and have some walk-around time in town. Plan early for accommodations! Go here to select your date and purchase tickets: https://www.elginoperahouse.com/event-calendar
Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:
Elgin Opera House: 104 N 8th Ave, Elgin, OR 97827, 541-663-6324. Admission: $20; balcony $10.
Joseph
The drive from Elgin to Joseph will take about 1.25 hours. There really are only a few stores in Joseph and probably as many art galleries, yet the storefront parking fills up fast; however, a left turn off Main St. onto E. Wallowa Ave. leads you to a free public parking lot that includes restroom facilities.
To use the word “quaint” to describe Joseph feels clichéd, but it fits—this small town situated at the base of the mountains, often referred to as the “Little Switzerland of America,” has a lot of charm and personality; I recall saying, “How would it be to view that mountain scene every morning through your front window!”
Activities in Joseph: below are our top picks for things to do in Joseph. You certainly won’t get to everything Saturday afternoon so some sites will have to be saved for Sunday—you’ll want to go straight to Valley Bronze Gallery first off, as they’re not open on Sunday.
The Bronze Artwalk: walking the few blocks that form the town center you will find a number of skillfully executed bronzes that decorate the street—and they are worth viewing. These examples of artistic sculpture only hint at the international acclaim Joseph’s artists have earned by their craft.
Arrowhead Chocolates: the store does happen to open early as they serve coffee and tea, but what we went for was their hand-made chocolates, offered in both milk and dark chocolate. The confections were on the expensive side (well, they are hand-made chocolates), but oh so worth it! Chantelle and I both agree that the huckleberry and the lemon truffles are among our favorites, but I am also taken by the marzipan and chocolate covered butter toffee. Open: Fri-Wed 8-4 (closed Thu).
Mad Mary’s Gift Shop and Soda Fountain: browse the gift shop side to find your perfect tourist t-shirt with just the right JOSEPH image printed on it and then get your ice cream cones in the soda fountain—and get your treat in a waffle cone—they’re fresh made daily! Open: Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5.
Valley Bronze Gallery: the gallery is located in one of Joseph’s historic buildings and offers viewing of a range of absolutely amazing art in cast bronze as well as other art media. Open: Thu-Sat 10-5.
Wallowa County Museum: 110 S Main St, housed in the historic First Bank of Joseph building, built in 1888, now on the National Register of Historic Places. My favorite exhibit is a series of prints taken from images that were painted under the direction of Nez Perce survivors from the Nez Perce War. The images include lengthy captions that offer snapshots of events that occurred during that war. Plan on 45 minutes to one hour for your visit. Open: Wed-Mon 10-4 (closed Tue). Admission: Adults $5, 65+ $4, 7-17 $2, 6 and under Free.
Wallowology Natural History Discovery Center: 508 N Main St Slot 666, Joseph, OR 97846, 541-432-0112. The discover center proved to be a fascinating overview of the region’s natural history, its forests, rivers, mountains, canyons, and flora and fauna and how they form complex, interconnected systems. Before our visit I kind of had a perception that the center was more of a youth activity center—it is that, but also so much more! Plan on one to 1.5 hours for your visit. Open: Thu-Sun 10-3, Memorial Day weekend-Oct 1. Admission: by donation.
Accommodations
There are only a few offerings in Joseph for overnight accommodations, though more options are available only a few miles away in Enterprise as well as at the historic Wallowa Lake Lodge in Wallowa Lake Village—but we have a recommendation: Kokanee Inn proved to be a wonderful accommodation. The rooms are air conditioned (many in Joseph and Wallowa Lake are not) and, though there is no TV, there is an extensive library and public reading rooms. Accommodation includes a great breakfast in the morning.
Wallowa Lake
Day 2: you will certainly have some sites in Joseph still to see but we recommend that you head to Wallowa Lake and come back to Joseph later to finish up with the sites for the time remaining.
Wallowa Lake Tramway
A 10-minute drive along the shore of Wallowa Lake on Wallowa Lake Hwy 351 will bring you to Wallowa Lake Village. The tramway is a do-not-miss activity at Wallowa Lake Village! In fact, Chantelle and I determined it to be the key highlight of the itinerary. We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance and bringing your printed tickets with you as you can then bypass the ticket purchase line. You will likely still wait at least 15 minutes to board the tram shortly after opening. The Swiss-built gondola will take 14 minutes to lift you 3700 feet to the summit of Mt Howard at 8150 feet—and the experience is absolutely spectacular! The awesome and majestic views of the surrounding rugged mountain peaks just add to the spectacle.
Hiking Trails: there are a total of 2.5 miles of trails around the summit, starting with Royal Purple at 1/8 mile. None of the trails are particularly difficult so visitors of most any age and physical condition can enjoy all or part of the summit trails. Be ready to take some awe-inspiring photos! Bring sun screen but also bring a jacket—and possibly gloves and a hat—if the temperature is moderate in Wallowa Lake Village, the temperature at the summit is likely to be at least 15 degrees cooler. Plan on one to 1.5 hours if you hike the trails.
Summit Grill and Patio: if you’re hungry, enjoy lunch at “the Northwest’s highest restaurant” where you can enjoy a great repast with what will be one of the best views you will ever enjoy during a meal. Lunch Hours: Opens 10:00. Closes 1 hour before last tram down.
Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:
Wallowa Lake Tramway, 59919 Wallowa Lake Highway, Joseph, OR 97846; 541-432-5331. 2024 season: open select days, May 18-Sep 29, 10-3:30 (Jul-Aug 9-4:30). Admission: Adults 18-64 $50, Seniors, Military with ID, students 12-17 with ID $47, Children 4-11 $44, 3 and under Free; 2-day tickets also available. To purchase tickets: wallowalaketramway.com
Miniature Golf and Matterhorn Village
Enjoy miniature golf on an attractive, shaded 18-hole championship course, homemade fudge and other sweet treats. After your round (or two!) of miniature golf, visit The Matterhorn Village right next door for Tillamook ice cream in a fresh waffle cone and browse the gift shop. 59950 Wallowa Lake Hwy, Joseph, OR 97846, 541-432-4071. Open: daily 10-7 (miniature golf is open later into the evening in the later season).
Return to Joseph to visit any sites you missed yesterday before you head home. We hope Joseph and Wallowa Lake is a destination site you plan to come back and enjoy again!
Hit the Road in the Pacific Northwest 