As I imagined our first trip to Wallowa Lake State Park and the Wallowa Mountains, I figured there must be plenty of great family-friendly hikes there, but I was surprised to learn there aren’t. So I did some research and exploring and wanted to share my findings with others looking for hike ideas in the Wallowas.
The Wallowa Mountains, known as “the Alps of Oregon,” was the only wonder left on the “7 Wonders of Oregon” list we had not seen. The Wallowas are located in the remote but beautiful region of northeastern Oregon in the Columbia Plateau and encompassing the Eagle Cap Wilderness. This area is a bit of a trek from the major cities in Oregon and Washington (between 5 and 7 hours), and because of this, many don’t make the trip. It’s SO worth it! With at least 31 peaks that rise above 9,000 feet, the Wallowas make up the largest subalpine and alpine area in Oregon.
It is these alpine conditions, though, that make these beautiful trails challenging to scale for most. Most of the trails are steep, long, and can be slippery too. But we found a few hikes in the Wallowas that worked for our group of two tweens, a teen who doesn’t enjoy hiking, and four adults of different fitness levels.
Family-Friendly Hikes in the Wallowa Mountains
Iwetemlaykin Heritage Trail
Length: 1.8 miles
Elevation: 131 elevation
Skill level: Easy
Dog-friendly: Yes
Fee: No
The pretty Iwetemlaykin Heritage Trail is only a seven-minute drive from Wallowa Lake State Park, and it’s short enough and easy enough to keep everyone happy. Just south of Joseph, it features stunning views of the mountains, wildflower meadows during their season (with lots of butterflies too), and a pretty little creek and lake that is its namesake. If the trail is too short for your taste, you can also combine it with a walk into the charming town of Joseph, for a treat or to browse the galleries and shops. This trail is the best suitable option for children of all ages.
The trail is located north of Wallowa Lake off Wallowa Highway. Get directions here.
The surrounding area is part of the ancestral homeland of the Nez Perce Tribe and a sacred place to the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
“Iwetemlaykin” is the Nez Perce name for this area of the Wallowa Lake basin and translates to “at the edge of the lake.” (Source: Oregon State Parks.) Nearby, you can visit Nez Perce National Historical Park, the site of Old Chief Joseph Gravesite and Cemetery.
West Fork Wallowa River Trail to East Fork Trail
Length: 2 miles
Elevation: 450 elevation
Skill level: Easy
Dog-friendly: I believe they are allowed, but we didn’t bring him on this one.
The popular West Fork Wallowa River trailhead is close to town and can be crowded on weekends, but when we went on a mid-week evening we had it to ourselves. The specific route we followed went up the West Fork of the Wallowa River, down the East Fork Trail, and included some unnamed connectors in between so I will share the map below. The highlight of this trail was looking down into the massive canyon below. This trail is another good option for children of different ages, but the drop into the canyon can be quite dicey so take care.
The main trail is located south of Wallowa lake. Get directions here.
Hurricane Creek Trail
Length: Varies up to 20.1 miles, but we did four miles round-trip.
Elevation: Varies up to 2,913 ft, but again we only did part of the trail.
Skill level: Varies from easy to challenging
Dog-friendly: Yes
Fee: $5 parking fee or Northwest Forest Pass
The Hurricane Creek Trailhead is an entry point into the Eagle Cap Wilderness and a great family backpacking area. Panoramic mountain views, waterfalls, wildflowers, and a lovely creek with plenty of picnic spots. Following the trail for three miles (six miles round-trip) to Slick Rock Gorge is a good option for willing older children and fit adults. We hiked this trail with children ages 11, 12, and 16 and everyone did great and enjoyed the picnic spots along the river.
The trail is located about 26 min. west of Wallowa Lake. Get directions here.
Chief Joseph Summit Trail
Length: 8.4 miles
Elevation: 3,264 elevation
Skill level: Challenging
Dog-friendly: No. Technically I don’t think they are disallowed, but the steep and slippery trails did not seem safe for dogs.
Fee: We were staying at Wallowa State Park so I am unsure if a day pass is required. Check with the ranger upon check-in.
Disclaimer! I feel this mention should start with a disclaimer because this was a very challenging hike. We attempted it with two boys ages 11 and 12 and four adults ranging from moderately fit to an experienced mountaineer (not me). Only you can take a look at the stats and the abilities and experience of your group and decide whether this works for you.
The Chief Joseph Summit Trail is hard, at 8.4 miles and 3,264 elevation, and there is more than one way up. The official trail starts at the end of the road and reaches Joseph Knob in 5.8 miles (3,000 gain). We took a shortcut from Wallowa Lake State Park campground to climb up (Wallowa Park Tie-In Trail on Gaia to “Blowdown Cutoff”), and then followed the longer winding switchback back down. Two tweens and three adults in our party of six decided to turn around part way, but my cousin went to the top!
The entire trail is steep, strenuous, and challenging. But this trail gives you a real taste for the alpine “Sound of Music” feel of this area, with jagged peaks, mountain vistas, wildflower meadows, and views of Wallowa Lake down below. Especially back down, the trail can be slippery and steep, so don’t attempt this one unless you are very fit and prepared with plenty of water, good hiking boots, and trekking poles.
This trail is off of Wallowa Lake State Park Campground. Ask ranger for map.
Where To Stay in the Wallowa Mountains
There are plenty of lodging options in and around Wallowa Lake to fit every budget. We booked a campsite at Wallowa Lake State Park six months before our trip. I wouldn’t say this was the prettiest or best campground we have ever stayed in, mostly because there isn’t much privacy in the many campgrounds that are packed into the central area (sites along the forest edge looked much nicer), but we were impressed with how clean it was and how quiet and family-friendly the vibe was during our stay. (Everyone quieted down promptly at 10 p.m.)
Also, by staying here you have direct access to the lake, including boat rentals down at the marina. The unexpected bonus was a real lack of mosquitos! There were also some family-friendly programs like a stargazing event we enjoyed.
More Family Activities in the Wallowa Mountains
We were on a budget trip traveling with the family dog and focused on hiking and lake fun, so the other activities seemed like too much for this time, but there are plenty of “family fun” activities in and around Wallowa Lake if you are on a bigger budget. The Wallowa Lake Tramway, Joseph Branch Railriders, glass bottom kayak tours, and horseback riding were all activities we’d like to try next time we visit.
I hope this has piqued your interest in visiting the spectacular Wallowa Mountains. If you have any other family-friendly hike suggestions, please share them in the comments below.
Tournesol Adventures 