Wallowa County Day Trips: Buckhorn Overlook
Most Bang For Your Buckhorn
You’ve got 24 hours in Wallowa County and are not allergic to awesome things. What to do? The most bang for your Buckhorn could be the scenic drive out through Zumwalt Prairie to the eyeball-widening canyon views of Buckhorn Overlook.
Key Takeaways
- Buckhorn Overlook offers unbeatable Wallowa County views, making it a must-see day trip for travelers who want sweeping canyon scenery and rich wildlife encounters.
- The drive through Zumwalt Prairie adds to the adventure, blending scenic gravel roads with chances to spot hawks, eagles, elk, and even wolves—so keep binoculars handy.
- Plan ahead with sturdy tires and a picnic, since the route includes long gravel stretches and limited amenities, ideal for a peaceful, off-the-grid experience.
- Pair your visit with a Hells Canyon rafting trip, as Buckhorn gives a bird’s-eye perspective of the landscapes you’ll later explore from the water.
- For travelers seeking authentic Eastern Oregon experiences, Buckhorn Overlook and nearby adventures showcase the region’s wild beauty and connection between land and river.
Bring the Binoculars and Camera
The trip to Buckhorn makes for a dyno-mite half-day trip with great odds of seeing wildlife, a view impossible to take bad pictures of and you’re still back in town with time to skip a rock across Wallowa Lake and get ready for dinner. The nearby Wallowa River offers another look at this area’s incredible natural beauty and forms part of the routes we explore on guided rafting trips.
Recommended music for this trip is the Lucinda Williams classic album ‘Car Wheels On a Gravel Road.’ Love that record. Also, there is a fair amount of gravel road you’ll be traveling. Good tires are a good idea for this trip. Bring a picnic, throw in a map and a pair of binoculars for all the hawks, maybe eagles, elk, coyote and other four-leggeds. Wolf sightings are not unheard of out there. If you’re exploring even more of this region, Grande Ronde River rafting adventures offer a peaceful, wildlife-rich way to experience similar landscapes from the water.
Directions
To get to Buckhorn, head south from Enterprise on Highway 82 – toward Joseph – 3.5 miles, then east onto Crow Creek Road. About 5 miles out stay to the right on OK Gulch/Zumwalt-Imnaha Road. 9.5 miles more, this turns into the Zumwalt-Buckhorn Road. We’re getting there. 23 more miles of soothing gravel gets you to the Forest Road 780 turn. Then it’s a short 1.3 miles out to the campground and viewpoint. You won’t even notice the .3.
Bird’s Eye Perspective of Country We See From the River
Take a stroll while you’re out there and enjoy this sweet spot for laying eyes on unique Wallowa County geology. You’ll also gain a bird’s-eye view of the Snake River in Hells Canyon, one of the most dramatic canyons in North America. Buckhorn is a groovy day trip to bookend your Winding Waters rafting trip in Hells Canyon by allowing for a day to take in this view of the area you’ll be getting to know from the water.
More Information
Here’s a link to good intel from the Forest Service on getting to Buckhorn.
Book your rafting extravaganza through Hells Canyon country with our guided white water rafting trips to experience the scenery up close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover everything you need to know about visiting Buckhorn Overlook — one of Wallowa County’s most scenic day trips through the wild Zumwalt Prairie.
Where is Buckhorn Overlook located?
Buckhorn Overlook sits in the northeast corner of Oregon’s Wallowa County. It overlooks the vast Imnaha Canyon, offering sweeping views of rugged landscapes, grasslands, and distant mountain ridges. It’s accessible via a gravel road drive through Zumwalt Prairie from Enterprise or Joseph.
How do you get to Buckhorn Overlook from Enterprise?
From Enterprise, drive 3.5 miles south on Highway 82 toward Joseph, then turn east onto Crow Creek Road. Continue about 5 miles, stay right on OK Gulch/Zumwalt-Imnaha Road, and follow it until it becomes Zumwalt-Buckhorn Road. After roughly 23 miles of gravel, take Forest Road 780 for the final 1.3 miles to the overlook.
What can you see at Buckhorn Overlook?
Expect breathtaking canyon views stretching across the Imnaha River and Hells Canyon region. The overlook gives a bird’s-eye view of deep geological formations, sprawling prairies, and an abundance of wildlife — including elk, hawks, eagles, coyotes, and sometimes even wolves.
Is the road to Buckhorn Overlook paved?
Most of the route includes gravel roads, particularly once you leave Crow Creek Road. While the drive is scenic, it’s best suited for vehicles with good tires. Check road conditions before traveling, especially in spring or after heavy rains.
How long does it take to reach Buckhorn Overlook?
From Enterprise, the drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours one way, depending on road conditions and stops. It’s a perfect half-day outing that still leaves time to explore Wallowa Lake or enjoy dinner back in town.
What should I bring for a trip to Buckhorn Overlook?
Pack binoculars, a camera, a map, and a picnic lunch. The area is rich in wildlife, so binoculars are great for spotting hawks, elk, or eagles. Also, bring water and check your fuel before leaving town — services are limited along the route.
When is the best time to visit Buckhorn Overlook?
Late spring through early fall offers the best conditions. During this time, the roads are clear, and the prairie is alive with wildflowers and wildlife. Mornings and evenings provide dramatic lighting for photography.
Can you camp at Buckhorn Overlook?
Yes, there’s a small campground near the overlook, ideal for tent camping. It’s a peaceful spot with incredible night skies and early-morning views. Be prepared for basic amenities — this is a remote, rustic area.
What wildlife might I see near Buckhorn Overlook?
Visitors often spot elk, deer, coyotes, raptors, and even wolves on rare occasions. The Zumwalt Prairie is a haven for birdwatchers, offering sightings of hawks, eagles, and songbirds.
How does Buckhorn Overlook relate to Hells Canyon rafting trips?
Buckhorn Overlook gives you a stunning aerial view of the same canyon country you’ll explore up close on a Hells Canyon rafting trip with Winding Waters River Expeditions. It’s an ideal day trip before or after your river adventure to see the region from both land and water.
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