Wallowa Lake and Wallowa Lake State Park

Approximately one mile south of downtown Joseph is the brightest gem in WOW country: Wallowa Lake, which at 5,000 feet in elevation is the highest large body of water in eastern Oregon.

Surrounded on three sides by 9,000-feet tall mountains that are snow-capped year round, the lake itself is a popular fishing and boating site – but in its immediate periphery one can enjoy camping, hiking wilderness trails, horseback riding, bumper boats, canoeing, miniature golf or a breathtakingly scenic tramway ride to the top of Mt. Howard.

Open in the summer between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the gondola ride is the steepest and longest in North America, lifting passengers up 3,700 feet from the edge of Wallowa Lake to Mt. Howard’s 8,200-foot summit. The 15-minute trip costs $14 for adults and $8.50 for children under 10. It operates daily from 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.

Five miles long and a mile wide, with a depth of 283 feet, this pristine, all-natural body of water is a perfect morainal lake, which means it was formed (about nine million years ago) by a glacier. As early as 1880, its shores were dotted with hotels, restaurants, boat services and even a dance hall.

Today, the lake’s many dining and lodging possibilities are augmented by gift shops and a thriving artists’ community known far and wide for its world-class bronze castings. Tours of their foundries and showcase displays are a big draw here – but just one of many. Outdoor activities are a large part of the experience at the lake – and two adventures that can get the adrenaline flowing are parasailing on the lake or horseback riding. Tickets for both can be purchased at the Eagle Cap Packstation.

Wallowa Lake is well-known for its R.V. parks and camping facilities for RVs and tents. Locations available to the public are Park at the River, which offers 48 deluxe R.V. sites, full hook-ups, showers and many more amenities; Scenic Meadows RV Park; Wallowa Lake Camp and Retreat Center; and Wallowa Lake State Park.

For those who prefer their comfort indoors, there’s fine lodging to be found at the Eagle Cap Chalets, which has a host of motel units, log cabins or condominium-style suites; Tamarack Pines Bed and Breakfast, the only B-and-B at the lake; Wallowa Lake Lodge; Wallowa Lake Resort; Matterhorn Swiss Village; Heidi’s Cabins; and the Flying Arrow Resort.

The dining experience at the lake can be as diverse as its visitors. 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 Boats, Glacier Grill, Russells at the Lake and the Summit Grill and Alpine Patio.