Photo: U.S. Forest Service

Southeastern Wallowas

The Southeast Wallowas are a year-round destination for boating, hunting, horseback riding, snowmobiling and more.

The southeast region of the Wallowas is a beautiful and remote area with trails leading into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. This area borders the Hells canyon National Recreation Area, and many rides and hikes provide views into Hells Canyon. 

The closest towns to the Southeast Wallowas are Richland and Halfway. The nearest hospital and medical services are 1-3 hrs away, in Baker City or Enterprise.

Anthony Lakes operates in partnership with the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest under a special use permit, and is an equal opportunity provider.

  • Clear Creek Trailhead Click to learn more about trailhead amenities, trails, and current conditions.

    Trailhead Amenities

    Vault Toilet
    Cell Service
    Water
    Garbage

    Driving Directions

    Directions to Clear Creek Trailhead

    1. From Halfway, Oregon travel north the Cornucopia Highway (Main Street) to the Fish Lake Road and take a right;
    2. On the Fish Lake Road go 3.3 miles to the Clear Creek Road and turn left;
    3. Following the turns travel about 2 miles on the Clear Creek Road to the National Forest boundary; The road becomes Forest Road 6610 at forest boundary;
    4. Continue on Forest Road 6610 for about 2.5 miles to Forest Road 030; Note: The turnoff to Forest Road 030 has a brown plastic road number sign but there is not a directional sign like “Trailhead —>”;
    5. Turn right on Forest Road 030 and go about 1.5 miles to the trailhead. (Advisory: Forest road 030 is rough and not suitable for passenger cars; recommend high clearance vehicles only)

    Clear Creek Trail #1867

    Trail Description

    Trail description coming soon.

    Current Conditions

    This trail is generally clear of snow from early July to late September. Expect winter debris (down trees, etc.) in the early season. Trail may not be maintained on a regular basis – obstacles on the trail may be present year-round.

    Trip Types

    Mountain Biking, Hiking, Horseback Riding

  • Deadman Canyon Trailhead Click to learn more about trailhead amenities, trails, and current conditions.

    Trailhead Amenities

    Vault Toilet
    Cell Service
    Water
    Garbage

    Driving Directions

    Directions to Deadman Canyon Trailhead

    1. From Halfway, Oregon travel north on the Cornucopia Highway to the Fish Lake Road and take a right;
    2. On the Fish Lake Road go 3.5 miles to the Clear Creek Road and turn left;
    3. Travel 16.5 miles on the Clear Creek Road (becomes Forest Road 66) and past the Fish Lake Campground road turnoff to Forest Road 410;
    4. Turn left on Forest Road 410 and go about 0.3 miles to the end of this road. The trailhead has upper and lower parking areas.

    Deadman Trail #1869

    Trail Description

    Located near Fish Lake Campground, Deadman Trail is a moderately used access point into the southeast side of the Eagle Cap Wilderness and Wallowa Mountains.

    Current Conditions

    This trail is generally clear of snow from early July to late September. Expect winter debris (down trees, etc.) in the early season. Trail may not be maintained on a regular basis – obstacles on the trail may be present year-round.

    Trip Types

    Hiking, Horseback Riding

  • Lake Fork West Trailhead Click to learn more about trailhead amenities, trails, and current conditions.

    Trailhead Amenities

    Vault Toilet
    Cell Service
    Water
    Garbage

    Driving Directions

    Directions to Lake Fork West Trailhead

    1. In Halfway, Oregon travel north on Main Street to Fish Lake Road;
    2. Turn right on Fish Lake road and go 3.3 miles to Clear Creek Road;
    3. Turn left on Clear Creek Road and go 4 miles to Forest Road 66;
    4. Turn right on Forest Road 66 and go on 13.5 miles to the trailhead entrance on right side of road. (It is before the Fish Lake Campground entrance).

    Most of the upper forest road is narrow, single land gravel and dirt road.

    Lake Fork Trail #1876

    Trail Description

    The Lake Fork Trail (#1876) goes down along Lake Fork Creek and ends at the Lake Fork Creek Trailhead along Forest Road 39/ Hells Canyon Scenic Byway.

    Current Conditions

    This trail is generally clear of snow from early July to late September. Expect winter debris (down trees, etc.) in the early season. Trail may not be maintained on a regular basis – obstacles on the trail may be present year-round.

    Trip Types

    Hiking, Horseback Riding

  • Horse Lake Trailhead Click to learn more about trailhead amenities, trails, and current conditions.

    Trailhead Amenities

    Vault Toilet
    Cell Service
    Water
    Garbage

    Driving Directions

    Directions to Horse Lake Trailhead

    1. In Halfway, Oregon travel north on Main Street to Fish Lake Road;
    2. Turn right on Fish Lake road and go 3.3 miles to Clear Creek Road;
    3. Turn left on Clear Creek Road and go 4 miles to Forest Road 66;
    4. Turn right on Forest Road 66 and go on 14 miles to the trailhead entrance on right side of road.

    Most of the upper forest road is narrow, single land gravel and dirt road.

    Horse Lake Trail #1873

    Trail Description

    This trail follows the ridge above Lake Fork Creek which is a beautiful drainage filled with aspen and meadows. The trailhead and suggested overnight camping spot is Fish Lake Campground which offers a view of the Eagle Cap Wilderness area and good fishing in the lake itself (quoted from US Forest Service, Wallowa Whitman National Forest website).

    Current Conditions

    This trail is generally clear of snow from early July to late September. Expect winter debris (down trees, etc.) in the early season. Trail may not be maintained on a regular basis – obstacles on the trail may be present year-round.

    Trip Types

    Hiking, Mountain Biking, ATVing

  • Sugarloaf Trailhead Click to learn more about trailhead amenities, trails, and current conditions.

    Trailhead Amenities

    Vault Toilet
    Cell Service
    Water
    Garbage

    Driving Directions

    Directions to Sugarloaf Trailhead

    1. From Halfway, Oregon head east out of town for 1 mile on Record Road to Highway 86;
    2. Once on Highway 86 go 9 miles to Wallowa Loop Road (also known as Forest Road 39 and Hells Canyon Scenic Byway) towards Enterprise and Joseph;
    3. Turn left on the Wallowa Loop Road/Forest Road 39 and travel about 13 miles to Forest Road 66;
    4. Turn left on Forest Road 66 and go 11 miles to the trailhead entrance on the right side of the road.
    5. The trailhead is about 0.3 miles past the Twin Lake Campground.

    Sugarloaf Trail #1877

    Trail Description

    Sugarloaf Trail #1877 traverses Sugarloaf mountain and accesses the southeast boundary of the eagle cap wilderness area.

    Current Conditions

    This trail is generally clear of snow from early July to late September. Expect winter debris (down trees, etc.) in the early season. Trail may not be maintained on a regular basis – obstacles on the trail may be present year-round.

    Trip Types

    Hiking, Mountain Biking

  • Bucks Crossing Trailhead Click to learn more about trailhead amenities, trails, and current conditions.

    Trailhead Amenities

    Vault Toilet
    Cell Service
    Water
    Garbage

    Driving Directions

    Directions to Bucks Crossing Trailhead

    1. From Halfway, Oregon head east on State Highway 86 towards Hells Canyon for 10 miles to North Pine Road (also known as Forest Road 39);
    2. Turn left at Forest Road 39 and travel 13 miles to Forest Road 66;
    3. Turn left on Forest Road 66 and go about 9 miles to trailhead site. Small sign is located near the road.

    Bucks Crossing Trail #1866

    Trail Description

    This is a moderately difficult 9 mile hike. Park at the primitive Buck’s Crossing Trailhead off of Forest Road 66.

    Current Conditions

    This trail is generally clear of snow from early July to late September. Expect winter debris (down trees, etc.) in the early season. Trail may not be maintained on a regular basis – obstacles on the trail may be present year-round.

    Trip Types

    Hiking

  • Indian Crossing Trailhead Click to learn more about trailhead amenities, trails, and current conditions.

    Trailhead Amenities

    Vault Toilet
    Cell Service
    Water
    Garbage

    Driving Directions

    Directions to Indian Crossing Trailhead

    1. From Halfway, Oregon head east out of town on Record Road to Highway 86 for 1 mile;
    2. Travel east on Highway 86 for 9 miles to Wallowa Loop Road (also known as Forest Road 39 and Hells Canyon Scenic Byway) towards Enterprise and Joseph;
    3. Travel about 23 miles on Forest Road 39 to Forest Road 3960;
    4. Turn left off Forest Road 39 to Forest Road 3960 and go 9 miles to the end of the road to the trailhead;
    5. The trailhead is on this side of the Imnaha River and the campground entrance is across the Imnaha River bridge.

    Duck Lake Trail #1875

    Trail Description

    This four mile hike begins at Duck Lake Campground ten miles from Halfway, OR. The trail ends at Duck Lake where opportunities for swimming and fishing are available (from Oregon Sate University).

    Current Conditions

    This trail is generally clear of snow from early July to late September. Expect winter debris (down trees, etc.) in the early season. Trail may not be maintained on a regular basis – obstacles on the trail may be present year-round.

    Trip Types

    Hiking

    South Fork Imnaha Trail #1816

    Trail Description

    The trail follows the South Fork of the Imnaha River and provides numerous access points to other trails. This is a well maintained trail with easy grades through open pine forest. The area known as the “Blue Hole” is two miles from the trailhead. Look for a long, deep pool running through sheer rock walls. The hike to the “Blue Hole” is an excellent day hike and fishing is good in this area.

    Current Conditions

    This trail is generally clear of snow from June to late September. Expect winter debris (down trees, etc.) in the early season. Trail may not be maintained on a regular basis – obstacles on the trail may be present year-round.

    Trip Types

    Hiking, Fishing, Horseback Riding

    View Conditions

    Reported Trail Conditions

    South Fork Imnaha Trail #1816

    • Hiked this trail in July 9th, 2022. It’s beautiful! In need of a little brushing as the trail had overgrown brush in parts. Blue Hole is stellar.

  • Lick Creek Trailhead Click to learn more about trailhead amenities, trails, and current conditions.

    Trailhead Amenities

    Vault Toilet
    Cell Service
    Water
    Garbage

    Driving Directions

    Directions to Lick Creek Trailhead

    Lick Creek is approximately 19 miles southeast from Joseph, OR.

    1. From Joseph take State Highway #350 for approximately 8 miles, turn right on Forest Road #39 (Wallowa Mountains Loop Road).
    2. Go approximately 15 miles and turn right on Forest Road #3925 then an immediate right on Road #015 for approximately 1.5 miles.

    Lick Creek Trail #1809

    Trail Description

    Steep wilderness path climbs creek canyon 2.3 mi (gaining 1800 ft) to grassy ridgecrest. (From William L. Sullivan’s Eastern Oregon Travel Guide).

    Current Conditions

    This trail is generally clear of snow from early July to late September. Expect winter debris (down trees, etc.) in the early season. Trail may not be maintained on a regular basis – obstacles on the trail may be present year-round.

    Trip Types

    Hiking

While you're recreating in this region, please consider fueling up and winding down at our local food and drink establishments. This will not just enhance your vacation, but contribute directly to the great community that is taking care of these trails.

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