If you are interested in a campground surrounded on three sides by 9,000-feet tall snow-capped mountains and a large, clear lake, then Wallowa Lake is for you. The brightest gem in the Wallowas is the lake, which at 5,000 feet in elevation is the highest large body of water in eastern Oregon. The lake is a popular fishing and boating site and around the lake area, you can enjoy hiking wilderness trails, horseback riding, bumper boats, canoeing, miniature golf or a tramway ride to the top of one of the mountains (a rise of 4,000 feet).

Tram ride provides unparalleled viewThe tram ride takes visitors up via the Mt. Howard Gondola, open in the summer between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The gondola route is the steepest and longest in North America, lifting passengers up 3,700 feet, from the edge of Wallowa Lake to the 8,200-foot summit of Mt. Howard. The 15-minute trip in the closed gondola car costs $14 for adults, and $8.50 for children under 10. It operates daily June through August, and half days in May and September. Throughout the ride there are multiple views of 26 mountain peaks, including the Wallowa Range, Snake River country and Idaho’s Seven Devils area. The eight peaks of the Eagle Cap Wilderness are mirrored into the lake below, and the gorges of the Snake and Imnaha Rivers stretch to the east.

The lake is a perfect morainal lake, which means it was formed by a glacier (about 9 million years ago). The lake is five miles long, and a mile wide, with a depth of 283 feet. As early as 1880 hotels, restaurants, boat services and even a dance hall were available at Wallowa Lake. The lake is approximately one-mile south from downtown Joseph and offers a trail head that takes you deep into the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. A state park is also located at Wallowa Lake with full hook ups and tent camping as well.

Other aspects of the lake that are attractive are the gift shops and a thriving artist community, which does world-class bronze castings. Tours are also a big draw and are available through the foundries and the showroom display. Wallowa Lake also serves as a gateway to visit Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America. The lake provides activities for everyone in the family.

The lake is well known for its R.V. parks and camping facilities. A few locations that are available to the public are Park at the River, which offers 48 deluxe R.V. sites, full hook-ups, showers and many more amenities. Other sites located near the lake are the Scenic Meadows RV Park, Wallowa Lake Camp and Retreat Center and the Wallowa Lake State Park.

Lodging alternativesIf camping is not the ideal situation, there are many other places for lodging at the lake, including the Eagle Cap Chalets, which has a host of motel units, log cabins or condo style suites. Another option for lodging is provided by the Tamarack Pines Bed and Breakfast, the only B-n-B at the lake. A few other alternatives are the Wallowa Lake Lodge, Wallowa Lake Resort, Matterhorn Swiss Village, Heidi’s Cabins or the Flying Arrow Resort.

The dining experience at the lake can be as diverse as the people who visit. Vali’s Alpine Delicatessen serves Hungarian cuisine, while the Wallowa Lake Lodge has a full service restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. Other popular restaurants that can fill the stomach are the Eagle Cap Espresso Bar, Joe’s Place Pizza and Bumper Cars, Matterhorn Swiss Village, Russells at the Lake and the Summit Grill and Alpine Patio.

Sailing and ridingOutdoor activities are a large part of the experience at the lake and two thing that can get the blood flowing are parasailing on the lake or horseback riding. Tickets for both can be purchased at the Eagle Cap Packstation.