- Eastern
Oregon Fire Museum
- Location: On the corner of Elm &
Washington The museum is housed in La Grande's historic
fire station, in use from 1899 to 2002. Climb on vintage and
antique fire trucks, some beautifully restored to their original
condition.102 Elm Street, downtown La Grande. 963-8588 for hours.
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- Morgan
Lake
- Location: From La Grande's Walnut Street,
head five miles up Morgan Lake Road.
- Just a short drive through the hills surrounding La Grande
and you can experience pristine lake fishing, picnicking, swimming
and non-motorized boating. Paved jetties provide wheelchair
access.
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- Birnie
Park
Location: On the corner of the Old Oregon
Trail (B Avenue) and Gekeler in La Grande.
- This beautiful city park is sponsored by the Lions Club and
includes an abstract pioneer art memorial and a life size wrought-iron
pioneer play wagon. This area was a camping and staging area
for the Oregon Trail emigrants who had to combine teams to ascend
the steep valley walls.
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- Ladd
Marsh Wildlife Area and Nature Trail
Location: Exit 268 from I-84. Six miles
west of La Grande off Foothill Road.
- One of the largest remaining wetlands in Northeast Oregon.
The Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife has developed a 3,208
acre viewing and preservation area for birds and animals. Take
a camera when you travel throughout the county. You'll see resident
and migrating wildlife of all sizes.
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- The
Grande Ronde River
Location: Throughout the county.
- Oregon's second longest free-flowing river. A wild and scenic
home for rainbow trout and steelhead. The beautiful 180 mile
river winds its way through the heart of Union County, providing
numerous scenic and recreational opportunities from quiet fishing
to camping, hiking, and exciting rafting trips. Explore on your
own or with a guide.
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- Hilgard
State Park
Location: Take exit 252 off I-84 eight
miles west of La Grande.
- Camp and picnic along the banks of the Grande Ronde River
at a site where pioneers forded the river. Click for the Hilgard
State Park
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- Hot
Lake Springs Resort
Location: Exit 268 from I-84 six miles
east of La Grande.
- Hot Lake Resort always attracts the attention of passers
by.This huge old brick building is but a fraction of a once
sprawling complex alive with hundreds of visitors who
came from around the world to take the waters and renew their
health. The spa/resort/hospital was also known as the Mayo Clinic
of the West, as the famous Mayo Brothers were visitors and friends
of Dr.Phy, the administrator. The resort was in its heyday from
1908 through 1932. A complete history of this fascinating place
is available for purchase at the visitor center. Hot Lake Resort
is now called Hot Lake Springs and is under-going a major restoration.
It is the new home of the David Manuel Gallery and bronze foundry
and the plans for its future are extensive and exciting.
Site tours are available and the coffee shop and gallery are
open daily. Call 541-963-HOTL, or visit the website. www.hotlakesprings.com
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- Red
Bridge State Park
Location: From the Hilgard exit off I-84
travel 16 miles SW on Highway 244.
- This scenic Oregon State Park sits in the pine trees along
one of the most beautiful driving tour routes in Eastern Oregon.
The park is popular for fishing and picnicking, and has a few
campsites, as well. Click for the Red
Bridge web site.
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- Meacham
Divide Cross-Country Ski Area
Location: 19 miles west of La Grande, exit
#243 off I-84
- Cross-country ski in the heart of the beautiful Blue Mountains.
Nine miles of ski trails groomed with diagonal and skate lanes.
Easy access to scenic trail system. Hike or bike on trails in
summer. Umatilla National Forest. Open late April to mid-December.
Call (541) 963-7122 for more information.
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- The
Oregon Trail Interpretive Park at Blue Mountain Crossing
Location: 12 miles from La Grande, westbound
on Highway I-84. Take Spring Creek Exit. Signs will guide you
the remaining 2-1/2 miles.
- A paved, easily accessible trail takes you beside some of
the best preserved and most scenic traces of the Oregon Trail.
Colorful ceramic panels depict the pioneers' struggle through
the tall trees and over the rugged "Blues." Living history offered
weekends during the summer. A new exhibit shows a settlement
era logging site. Picnic area, restrooms and drinking water.
Open May to October.
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- Forest
Cove Warm Springs Pool
Location: 17 miles east of La Grande or
8 miles NE of Union on Highway 237.
- You will find this popular hot springs pool in the picturesque
town of Cove, nestled against the base of Mount Fanny. Open
summer months, call (541) 568-4890, or 568-4063.
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- Catherine
Creek State Park
Location: 14 miles S.E. of Union on Highway
203.
- Situated on the tree-lined banks of Catherine Creek, this
beautiful Oregon State Park is a popular picnicking, camping
and fishing spot. Access to the Eagle Cap Wilderness is nearby.
Click for the Catherine
Creek web site.
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- Union
County Museum
Location: 15 miles S.E. of La Grande, or
15 miles NE of North Powder on OR Hwy 237.
- This charming museum houses the wonderful "Cowboys
Then & Now" Exhibit, along with exhibits
showing the rich natural and cultural history of the Grande
Ronde Valley. Located in the charming town of Union, known for
its collection of Victorian homes and for the annual Eastern
Oregon Livestock Show and Rodeo, held early in June. Click here
for an outside view and a peek inside.
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- Anthony
Lakes Ski Resort and Recreation Area
Location: Take the North Powder exit, 285
off I-84, travel west 18 miles.
- High, dry powder skiing at its finest. The resort offers
full service winter activities and rentals, a restaurant, lounge,
and cross-country, snowboard, lift and Sno-cat skiing. During
the summer months, enjoy camping, fishing and picnicking around
three high mountain lakes and excellent hiking opportunities
through unspoiled mountain wilderness. Visit their web site
at www.anthonylakes.com.
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- Spout
Springs Ski Resort
Location: Between Elgin and Westin on OR Hwy 204.
- This popular ski resort is scheduled to re-open under new
ownership for the 2007 ski season. Equipment and facilities
are being upgraded and new runs for snowboarders and snowshoers
are being developed. For more information and a ski race schedule,
call (541) 566-0327. Visit their web site at www.skispoutsprings.com.
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- Thief
Valley Reservoir
Location: 12 miles south of Union. 18 miles
east of North Powder, off OR Hwy. 237.
- Recreational area that features premier spring fishing and
windsurfing opportunities in a ruggedly scenic setting.
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- Wolf
Creek Reservoir
Location: Take exit 282 off I-84, near
North Powder, 24 miles SE of La Grande.
- Have a great time fishing, camping, water skiing and boating
in the picturesque setting at the base of the magnificent Elkhorn
Ridge of the Blue Mountains.
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- Pilcher
Creek Reservoir
Location: Travel 25 miles S.E. of La Grande
to North Powder, I-84 exit 285, then 9 miles west.
- Camp, picnic and watch wildlife at this beautiful, quiet
reservoir with a fantastic mountain view.
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- Elgin
Opera House
Location: 17 miles N.E. of La Grande on
the Wallowa Highway, OR Hwy 82.
- The beautifully restored, acoustically perfect 1912 Opera
House is a great place for movies, plays, live theatre and entertainment.
Call (541) 437-1918 for event listings. Elgin
Opera House website
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- Jubilee
Lake Campground
Location: 35 miles N.W. of Elgin off Highway
204.
- Open June through late September. A USFS campground with
51 sites surrounding a beautiful lake open to non-motorized
boating and activities. For more information on Jubilee Lake
and other Umatilla Forest campgrounds, call (509) 522-6290.
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- Looking
Glass Fish Hatchery
Location: 20 miles north of Elgin at Palmer
Junction.
- One of Union County's best scenic day drives will take you
to one of Oregon's most scenic fish hatchery operations.
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- Indian
Rock Overlook
Location: 15 miles from La Grande. Take
Fox Hill Road.
- A commanding view of the Grande Ronde Valley from the USFS
overlook, provides the perfect setting for a day drive and picnic.
Four wheel drive vehicles only.
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- Nightingale
Gallery
Location: In Loso Hall on the campus of
Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.
- Eastern, the only baccalaureate institution in eastern Oregon,
provides theatrical, cultural and artistic amenities not often
found in rural communities. The Nightingale Gallery is the showplace
for student and traveling art exhibits.
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- Gangloff
Park
Location: Hwy. 30 (Adams Ave.) at the northwest
edge of La Grande.
- This hillside park offers a wonderful view of the city and
the Grande Ronde Valley, and a great place for a picnic. Paved
nature trail provides wheelchair access. The Native Plant Society
is returning the park to pre-settlement and settlement era vegetation.
The recently renovated log cabin was formerly located in La
Grande's "Old Town." The cabin, constructed early in this century
from four salvaged older cabins, is an attractive reminder of
the type of dwelling used by early settlers along the Oregon
Trail.
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- Wallowa-Whitman
National Forest
Location: Surrounding the Grande Ronde
Valley
- Nearly any direction you look when in Union County, you can
see national forests - vast areas of towering evergreens and
crystal waters. Wander the back roads of the Wallowa- Whitman
or Umatilla National Forests, or seek seclusion in the Eagle
Cap Wilderness. The beauty, the wildlife, are yours to cherish,
protect, and enjoy. Contact the La Grande Ranger District for
information about camping facilities, the guard station rental
program, hiking trails and winter sports opportunities.(541)
963-7186.
- click
here for link
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- Lehman
Hot Springs
Location: Just thirty-eight miles from
La Grande. Take I-84 West to Highway 244.
- Lehman Hot Springs is surrounded by the 3.9 million acre Wallowa-Whitman
and Umatilla National Forests. Nestled in a timbered setting
at 4,300 feet in the beautiful Blue Mountains. First visited,
it is said, by the Nez Perce Indians who traditionally came
to the area to pick huckleberries. Lehman Hot Springs recently
re-opened, welcoming visitors to one of the Northwest's favorite
resorts dating back over one-hundred twenty years. Mail them
at Lehman Hot Springs, POB 187, Ukiah, Oregon 97880. Call (541)
427-3015. Email to springs@lehmanhotsprings.com.
Visit their web site at lehmanhotsprings.com.
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- Eagle
Cap Excursion Train
Location: The Union Wallowa Railroad operates
the excursion train on their track between the communities of
Elgin and Joseph.
- Ride the Eagle Cap Excursion Train as it travels through spectacular
roadless canyon country and rumbles beside the Wild & Scenic
Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers. Pass charming small towns and
sprawling cattle ranches. Watch for wildlife and soaring eagles.
Cross the beautiful Wallowa Valley to the base of the towering
Wallowa Mountains. Set in Oregon's spectacular northeast corner,
this train ride shouldn't be missed. Click here for the train
schedule, prices and route description.
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Gilstrap Brothers Winery
Location: Cove. Take OR Highway 237 to
the town of Cove, then turn right on Antles Lane; one mile up
on left.
- With its beautiful hillside setting above the sheltered community
of Cove, this is the only winery in eastern Oregon. See how
they grow grapes and make their delicious wines - and take home
a few bottles for future enjoyment! Call 541-568-4646 for hours
and events.Now open weekends during the summer through September,
noon to 5 PM. Gilstrap Brothers wines are also served at Ten
Depot Street in La Grande. www.gilstrapbrothers.com
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- Other
State Parks
Visit these web sites for additional information:
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- Buffalo Peak
Golf Course
Location: from the south or east, take
exit 285 off Interstate 84, at North Powder. Follow Oregon Highway
237 fifteen miles to Union. Turn
right on Fulton Street and continue to the course. From the
north or west, take exit 265 off Interstate 84 near La Grande.
Follow Oregon Highway 203 to Union. Stay on Main Street through
town and turn left on Fulton Street and continue to the golf
course.
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Buffalo Peak Golf Course
is one of Oregon's newest golf courses. Be among the first
to play the challenging links style course. Buffalo Peak is
located on the edge of the small community of Union, just
sixteen miles southeast of La Grande. Highlights of the course
include a dramatic landscape with views of the Grande Ronde
Valley and surrounding Wallowa and Blue Mountain ranges, ponds,
and fountains. Power carts are available at the club house.
Call 541-562-9031 for tee times and green fees. Click here
for a view of the course .
www.buffalopeakgolf.com
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Elm Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850 ;){kind=link}
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