RECREATION
The recreation activities available in the Hells Canyon area of Baker County in Eastern Oregon are limitless— there's something for everyone! Whether you enjoy boating, fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, snowmobiling, or other outdoor activities, you can find them right here. Here are a few attractions and activities you must experience while visiting Oregon's Wilder Side. . .
Panhandle
Snowmobile Club
The club maintains a Snowcat groomer and grooms approximately 280 miles of trail within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest that includes miles of varied terrain going from 3000 feet all the way up to Sugarloaf Mountain and surrounding play areas at 6000 to 8000 feet elevation.
Area trail map is available here. Trail grooming schedule and snow conditions may be obtained by calling the following:
541-742-5151 Head groomer--trail & snow conditions
541-742-5515 Trail & snow conditions
541-742-5343 Trail & snow conditions
541-742-7277 Trail & snow conditions
The Panhandle Snowmobile Club is part of the Oregon State Snowmobile Association, representing the Northeast Oregon area surrounding Halfway, Richland and Oxbow. Their annual Panhandle Snowmobile Poker Run is held each February on the Sunday of Presiden't Day weekend. The Poker Run is open to all snowmobilers with hands offered at $5 each. The prize purse of $4000 attracts many out-of-town contestants, and the top two places pay out over $1000. The following weekend finds over 60 women snowmobilers from all across the country hitting the groomed trails for the annual Ladies' Ride.
Local snow depth at 5400 feet may be obtained online from the Schneider Meadows Snotel site, which is located just north of Halfway. Most of the best play areas are at higher elevation where there is a greater amount of snow.
Cornucopia Lodge
If you can dream it, you can do it! Hike or snowshoe a short distance from the lodge and you are in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon's largest designated wilderness area, which features over 540 miles of trails, 53 high mountain lakes, scenic wild rivers like the Minam and Imnaha, granite crags, and steep-walled valleys formed by ancient glaciers. Take a short drive and you're in Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North Amerca, carved by the Snake River on the border between Idaho and Oregon. Whatever your outdoor adventure, the Cornucopia Lodge is ideally located to be your base camp.
The Lodge is high in the mountains, nestled just below the old Cornucopia mining district. There are breathtaking views from every vantage point. No matter what time of year, you can enjoy all that nature has to offer--snowmobile, snowshoe, or ski in the wintertime and explore on horseback or hike during spring, summer, and fall. Visit our website for more information and to book your reservations.
Hells Canyon Adventures
Your Hells Canyon Adventure will begin long before you reach the jet boats, as the rugged and remote Hells Canyon area greets you with jagged rock walls, rushing water, and wildlife.
Your senses will awaken as you travel through the natural landscape which remains mostly undeveloped, undisturbed, and uncrowded, where the air is still fresh. Allow extra time to stop at the viewpoints for wildlife sightings and to see the geological formations.
Hells Canyon Adventures is the only licensed outfitter that offers jet boat tours or fishing charters starting from the south entrance of the canyon (Hells Canyon Dam), where the canyon is over a mile and half deep. It's easy to get there from Idaho or Oregon: Highway 71 from Cambridge, Idaho; Highway 86 from Baker City, Oregon; or USFS Road #39 from the Wallowa Lake/Joseph, Oregon areas. All three roads lead to the famed Devils Tail, the last 22 miles of your drive from Oxbow to the Hells Canyon Dam.
Experience the end of the road located on the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway in spring, summer, fall, or winter with Hells Canyon Adventures, the whitewater specialists. For questions or reservations, please call 800-422-3568.
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