Getting Here

Meeting Places

Lodging is provided the night before your launch date, at the meeting places below.

Hells Canyon Adventures: Meet at the Chandler's Inn Bed & Breakfast in Joseph, Oregon.

Salmon River Adventures: Meet at the Quality Inn and Suites in Clarkston, Washington.

Grande Ronde Adventures: Meet at the Chandler's Inn Bed & Breakfast in Joseph, Oregon.

Joseph, Oregon

"This little town is heaven to us, please don't drive like hell through it."
-Joseph Welcome Sign

This sign engrained Joseph, Oregon, the gateway to Hell’s Canyon, into our memories. What character in this little mountain town! Joseph is a piece of heaven, known by many as “little Switzerland”.

It’s a beautiful rural town nestled in the foothills of the Wallowa Mountains in Wallowa County, an area rich in cultural and natural history. No stop-lights and only 1 fast food chain restaurant help keep this county of approximately 7,000 residents and 2.5 million acres a unique and well-loved treasure. We have based our river business out of this country for a very good reason. The landscape ranges from 9,838 feet (Sacagawea Peak) in the Eagle Cap Wilderness of the Wallowa Mountains to less than 1,400 feet in elevation in Hell’s Canyon. This wide-range of ecosystems results in a rich variety of wildlife species. Visitors can enjoy the scenic natural surroundings, as well as the many shops and restaurants in Joseph.

We suggest to our guests that they, too, base themselves out of this fabulous place. Here are the basics of “Getting Here”:

Area Map

View Larger Map MAPS ARE ESSENTIAL! Use the map on the left to take a look. For additional maps visit Our Maps Page to see Launch and Take-out spots, the rivers, the terrain, airports and more.

Driving

There are three main ways to get to Joseph: Highway 82 from La Grande (a scenic byway), Highway 3 from Lewiston, and USFS Road #39 from Halfway. Any way you drive, you will not be disappointed as the scenery is beautiful. These roads are included in events like Cycle Oregon, a state-wide road bike tour of Oregon, and auto and motorcycle club tours. For approximate driving times, visit Google Maps.

Airports

The closest airport to fly into is Lewiston, Idaho. Lewiston is located approximately 2 hours by car from Joseph. Alternative airports are in Walla Walla, Washington, Pendleton, Oregon or Boise, Idaho . There are also small municipal airports in Joseph and Enterprise. We are able to pick you up from any of these airports in our new 15-passenger van. Alternatively, if you would like to travel this countryside on your visit here, renting a car would be your best option.

Joseph Area Accommodations

The Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce has a comprehensive list of accommodations in the area.

 

Bed & Breakfasts
Barking Mad Farm Bed & Breakfast	65156 Powers Road Enterprise, OR 97828	(541) 426-0360
Belle Pepper Bed & Breakfast	PO Box 353 Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-0490
Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast	309 South Main St. Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-0230 (866) 520-9769 Toll Free
Chandler's Inn Bed & Breakfast	700 S. Main St. Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-9765
Enterprise House Bed & Breakfast	508 First South St. Enterprise, OR 97828	(541) 426-4238 (888) 448-8825 Toll Free
Little Ranch Bed & Breakfast	62483 Little Ranch Rd. Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-3706
Strawberry Wilderness Bed & Breakfast	406 West Wallowa Ave. Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-3125

 

Resorts & Lodges

Eagle Cap Chalets	402 W. North Enterprise, OR 97828	(541) 432-4704
Flying Arrow Resort	59782 Wallowa Lake Hwy Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-2951
Matterhorn Swiss Village	59950 Wallowa Lake Hwy Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-4071
Wallowa Lake Lodge	60060 Wallowa Lake Hwy Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-9821
Wallowa Lake Resort	84681 Ponderosa Lane Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-2391
Wallowa Lake Camp	84522 Church Lane Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-1271 (866) 432-1271 Toll Free
Wallowa River Camp	PO Box 296 Enterprise, OR 97828	(800) 709-2039 Toll Free
The Barn House	Joseph, OR 97846	(503) 881-5008
Wallowa Lake Vacation Rentals	PO Box 296, Enterprise, OR 97828	(800)709-2039 (Toll Free) (541)426-2039
Motels & Other
Country Inn (formerly Melody Ranch)	402 W. North Enterprise, OR 97828	(541) 426-4986
Indian Lodge Motel	201 S. Main Street Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-2651 (888) 286-5484 Toll Free
Mountain View Motel	83450 Joseph Highway Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-2982
Ponderosa Motel	102 S.E. Greenwood Enterprise, OR 97828	(541) 426-3186
Wilderness Inn Motel	301 W. North Enterprise, OR 97828	(541) 426-4535
Wallowa Lake State Park Yurts	72214 Marina Lane Joseph, OR 97846	(541) 432-8855 (800) 452-5687 Toll Free

General Area Information

Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce
http://www.wallowacountychamber.com/

Summer Activities and Entertainment:

Reggear Outfitters: Bear & Mountain Lion Outfitters based in Orofino, ID
http://www.reggearoutfitters.com/

 

Chief Joseph Days Rodeo: Joseph, Oregon -- July 25th-30th, 2006
http://www.chiefjosephdays.com/

 

Bronze, Blues, & Brews Festival: Joseph, Oregon -- August 12th, 2006
http://www.bronzebluesbrews.com/

Hell's Canyon Mule Days: Enterprise, Oregon -- September 8th-10th, 2006
http://www.hellscanyonmuledays.com/

Millar Pack Station: Eagle Cap Wilderness
http://www.millarpackstation.com/

Wilderness Trophy Adventures: Eagle Cap Wilderness
www.wildernesstrophy.com

Cornucopia Wilderness Pack Station: Eagle Cap Wilderness, Halfway, OR
www.cornucopiapackstation.com

Winter Activities:

Wallowa Alpine Huts
www.wallowahuts.com

Wing Ridge Ski Tours
http://www.wingski.com/

Eagle Cap Sled Dog Race
http://www.eaglecapsleddograce.net/