Eastern Oregon is perfect for RV enthusiasts looking for their next thrilling US road trip, whilst keen to avoid busy tourist hotspots.
With miles and miles of wide-open road, wondrous and wild places await. One of the most spectacular routes is the 208-mile
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, a horseshoe route in the north-eastern corner of the state. Mile for mile, it has the most compelling combination of stunning scenery, charming small towns and adrenaline-fueled adventures.
Day 1: A Grand Time in La Grande
The route starts in the town of La Grande, the ancestral home of the Nez Perce tribe and current home to Eastern Oregon University. Drive the Union County Farm Loop and then stay overnight at Grande Hot Springs RV Resort, where sites have full hook-ups.
Day 2: Behold Little Switzerland
Drive to Wallowa Lake State Park, a gem of a place mostly unknown to those living outside of Oregon. Nicknamed “Little Switzerland,” the snow-capped mountains and ribbon lake will have visitors yodeling — that is, until they take a look at the other side of the lake and realize that they are in high-desert cowboy country.
Day 3: Wanderlust in Wallowa
Stop at Wallowa Lake Marina, right inside the state park. Rent small horsepower motorboats for either fishing or slow cruising. Visitors can also rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards to access the five public floating platforms that line the east side of the lake.
Day 4: Snake River Thrills
Follow Oregon Route 350 to Forest Road 39 toward Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. At nearly 8,000 feet, it’s the deepest river gorge in North America, surpassing even the Grand Canyon. Hop on a jet boat with Hells Canyon Adventures or choose a one-day white-water rafting trip with a jet-boat return.
Day 5: Backcountry Trails
Get a feel for the history and head up into the mountains for a guided multiday backcountry hike with Wallowa Llamas.
Click here for the full Hells Canyon Scenic Byway RV itinerary.
Posted by: Travel Oregon
Posted on: 17/02/2022