Last updated on December 13th, 2025
Wondering what to do in Joseph, Oregon? Here are 11 of the best things to do while soaking up epic Wallowa Mountain views.
Surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Wallowa Mountains (one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon!), Joseph feels like the kind of place that should be way more famous than it is. This tiny town sits right on the edge of the Eagle Cap Wilderness and is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the state. It’s easy to see why people call it “Oregon’s Little Switzerland.”
We spent a few days exploring Joseph and totally fell in love. The town is super charming, with a walkable main street lined with fun shops and delicious places to eat. Plus, the nearby mountains are gorgeous, with glacial lakes, waterfalls, and endless trails to explore. Joseph is easily one of Oregon’s best hidden gems, with all the beauty you’d find in Western Oregon, but with way fewer crowds.
In this guide, we’re sharing our favorite things to do in Joseph, Oregon, that’ll make you want to plan a trip ASAP! From outdoor adventures to scenic drives, local eats, and fun ways to enjoy Wallowa Lake, we think this little mountain town deserves a spot on your Oregon bucket list.
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Best things to do in Joseph, Oregon
1. Explore Downtown Joseph
One of the best ways to explore Joseph is by taking a stroll through town. The main street is super walkable and packed with cute local shops that are fun to pop into. We spent the better part of a morning just wandering around and soaking it all in.
Make sure to stop by the fly shop to see the horse hanging out front. You’ll also want to check out Copper Creek Mercantile, which has all kinds of home goods and locally made items, and Quickhatch Provisions, which offers seasonally focused outdoor apparel, technical clothing, footwear, and gear rentals.
2. Grab Coffee and Chocolates from Arrowhead Chocolates
If you’re anything like us, no trip is complete without a coffee stop… and a little something sweet. Arrowhead Chocolates is the perfect place for both! This spot right in the heart of town serves up great espresso drinks and a delicious selection of chocolates.
We tried a mix of fruity flavors like lemon, huckleberry, and raspberry, plus some caramel and peanut butter options. The peanut butter one was our fave. It was creamy, rich, and just so good.
3. Eat at a Local Restaurant
For a small town, Joseph has some seriously tasty places to eat! We recommend checking out:
The Blythe Cricket is a cozy bistro/bakery opened in 2019 by two longtime friends who bake everything from scratch. Think warm breakfast dishes, fresh-baked pastries, and coffee!
Embers Brewhouse serves up legendary pizza, tacos, burgers, and more alongside 17 craft brews on tap.
The Dog Spot has a weekly rotating menu and a few outdoor tables where pups are welcome. Definitely worth popping in, even if just to browse the goodies they carry.
4. Hang Out at Wallowa Lake
No trip to Joseph is complete without spending some time at Wallowa Lake. Just a short drive (or bike ride!) from town, this lake is absolutely stunning, with 10,000-foot peaks behind it. You can also fish here, and we saw lots of people casting lines right from the shore.
At the south end of the lake is Wallowa Lake State Park, which has a campground, beach, boat launch, and a marina where you can rent kayaks, paddleboards, and other gear during the summer. There’s also a small village near the lake with a handful of restaurants, shops, and cabins for rent.
This is also where you’ll find the Wallowa Lake Tramway, so it’s easy to pair with other activities around the lake.
5. Go on a Kayaking Tour
Hands down, one of the coolest things you can do in Joseph is go on a kayaking tour with JO Paddle on Wallowa Lake. They offer an evening kayak tour called the Glacier Clear Nighttime Adventure Tour, and it looks pretty magical.
The tour involves paddling in clear-bottom kayaks lit with LED lights on the lake. Along the way, the guides share local legends (including the story of “Big Wally,” the lake’s rumored monster), plus fun geology facts and wildlife insights. And at one point, they turn off all the lights so you can see the stars!
The whole tour lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, and it starts just before dusk so you get to experience sunset, twilight, and full darkness.
6. Ride the Wallowa Lake Tramway
If you’re looking for mountain views without the climb, the Wallowa Lake Tramway is such a fun way to check out Mount Howard and the Wallowas from above. It’s one of the steepest gondolas in North America and gives you 3,700 feet of elevation gain in just 15 minutes!
The tram runs May through September, typically from 10 AM to 4 PM, though hours vary a bit depending on the month. It can fit up to 4 adults per cabin, and you can either buy tickets online ahead of time or grab them at the booth when you arrive. As of our visit, adult tickets were $50 each, so it’s definitely a bit of a splurge, but the views totally make it worth it.
At the top, there are a few easy trails where you can wander around and enjoy the scenery, plus a restaurant called Summit Grill, where you can grab a bite on their patio.
7. Go for a Hike in the Wallowa Mountains
One of the biggest reasons people visit Joseph is for the hiking! The area is home to the Eagle Cap Wilderness, which spans over 361,000 acres. It’s one of the most beloved wilderness areas in Oregon, and hikers and backpackers come from all over to explore it! Unfortunately, we visited too early in the season to hike, but here are the top trails on our list for next time:
Chief Joseph Mountain Trail: This 6.8-mile hike starts near Wallowa Lake and climbs steadily with some gorgeous views early on. You don’t have to do the whole thing to enjoy it, but if you’re up for a challenge, you can keep going toward high alpine meadows and even summit Chief Joseph Mountain.
Ice Lake Trail: This is one of the most popular hikes in the area (and for good reason!). It’s definitely a long, hard hike (15 miles!), but the reward is a stunning turquoise lake surrounded by jagged peaks. We’ve heard this one is even more magical if you backpack and spend the night.
Maxwell Lake: This 7.6-mile trail takes you to a beautiful alpine lake that feels super remote. The views are incredible, but the last mile makes you work for it.
Wallowa River Loop: If you’re into backpacking, this 26-mile loop connects several beautiful spots in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. It’s usually done as a one or two-night trip and takes you past scenic lakes like Horseshoe, Lee, Douglas, and Moccasin before looping back via Glacier Lake.
A+K Tip: Be bear aware! During our visit, there had been recent bear sightings near the Wallowa Lake State Park campground, so it’s super important to pack bear spray and store your food properly.
8. Ride the Joseph Branch Railriders
This ended up being one of the most unexpectedly fun things we did in Joseph! Joseph Branch Railriders is a family-run company that turned a stretch of historic railroad track into a super unique adventure where you get to pedal down the rails on a custom-built railbike. The route winds through scenic countryside with wide open views of the Wallowas almost the entire way!
We did the Valley Sights Tour, which is their 2-hour ride, and it was perfect. The ride starts off easy with a gentle downhill that lets you coast between Joseph and the nearby town of Enterprise. We loved that they offer pedal assist for the uphill sections, which makes the whole experience super doable for just about anyone.
9. Go on a Rafting Trip
If you’re up for a little adrenaline with a side of epic views, white water rafting near Joseph is such a fun way to experience the area. The Salmon River, Snake River through Hells Canyon, and the Grande Ronde River are all known for their scenic, remote stretches and exciting (but beginner-friendly) rapids, especially in late spring and early summer when water levels are higher.
Winding Waters River Expeditions offers trips with options ranging from a few hours to multi-day adventures. The scenery looks unreal, with canyon walls, wildlife sightings, and gorgeous stretches of river. We didn’t get a chance to do this on our visit, but it’s high on our list for next time!
10. Drive the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
If you have time for a scenic drive with big views while in Joseph, the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is definitely worth adding to your list. Hells Canyon is actually the deepest river gorge in North America, and while you can’t fully take in the scale of it from just one stop, this drive gives you a pretty amazing glimpse of how wild and remote this area really is.
Starting just east of Joseph, you merge onto Forest Road 39 (also called the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road), where you’ll get to see some seriously stunning parts of Eastern Oregon. The entire byway is about 218 miles long, but the stretch closest to Joseph might be our favorite!
Just a heads up, this road typically closes from mid-October through May or early June due to snow. Summer and early fall (June to October) are the best times to do this drive.
If you’re making your way down toward La Grande, we highly recommend stopping in town for some food! The Local is a super cute spot for breakfast or coffee, and Side A Brewing (located in an old fire station!) has great pub food and local beer.
11. Visit Hells Canyon
Driving the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is epic, but there’s so much more to see and do in Hells Canyon. This gorge is not only the deepest in North America (dropping nearly 8,000 feet from rim to river), but it also spans up to 10 miles wide in places.
One of the easiest ways to experience it from Joseph is by heading to the Hells Canyon Overlook. It’s about 44 miles away, and the road winds through the mountains, so it’ll take most of the morning to get there. We recommend filling up on gas, packing a picnic, and making a day of it. You won’t be able to see the Snake River from this overlook, but the views of the canyon are still super impressive.
If you’re up for a little more adventure, make the drive out to Hat Point Overlook. The views here are even more dramatic, and if you climb the wooden fire tower at the top, you’ll get to see expansive views, including a glimpse of the Snake River far below! The road is unpaved and a bit rough, so you’ll want a high-clearance vehicle.
And if you want the full canyon experience, we highly recommend looking into a jet boat tour. These tours take you through the canyon from the water! We didn’t get the chance to do this ourselves, but we’ve heard it’s crazy fun!
Planning Your Trip to Joseph, Oregon
How to Get There
Joseph is located way up in the northeastern corner of Oregon, so getting there takes a little effort (but it’s so worth it!). And fun fact: Joseph isn’t on the way to anywhere else! The town is actually located at the end of the road. Oregon Route 82 literally stops at Wallowa Lake!
Before you head into town, we recommend stopping at a larger grocery store. Joseph does have a small market with a decent selection, but prices can be a bit higher. We stocked up on essentials ahead of time and were glad we did!
By Plane
The closest commercial airport is Lewiston–Nez Perce County Airport (LWS), about 90 miles away, which is about a 2-hour drive from Joseph via scenic mountain roads.
Another option is Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton (PDT), a little farther out, about 117 miles, or a 2.5-hour drive.
By Car
Joseph is the perfect spot to visit along an Eastern Oregon road trip! Most visitors drive into Joseph via Oregon Route 82 (Wallowa Lake Highway) from La Grande, which takes about 5.5 hours from Portland, or around 4 hours from Boise. Joseph sits about 7 miles before the end of OR‑82 and just north of Wallowa Lake.
You can also drive from the east via Highway 3 from Lewiston, which meets up near the town by climbing Rattlesnake Grade (scenic but winding).
When to Visit
Summer is the best time to visit if you want to experience everything Joseph has to offer. This time of year, most things are open and accessible. We visited in late May/early June, and some of the higher-elevation trails were still covered in snow, so if hiking is high on your list, July through September is your best bet.
Where to Stay
There are a handful of cute hotels and lodges in town, and if you’d prefer a vacation rental, there are plenty of great options to choose from!
The Jennings Hotel is a gorgeous boutique hotel located right in downtown Joseph, which has 12 uniquely designed rooms, each created by a different artist. It has a sauna, a shared kitchen, and a library space that looks like the perfect spot to unwind after a day of hiking.
Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast is a lovely option for a more romantic getaway. The gardens are beautiful, the breakfast is gourmet, and it’s just a few blocks from downtown.
Kokanee Inn is a bed and breakfast that is just a little more laid-back than Bronze Antler and a great choice for families or groups. Each room is named after a local mountain, and the whole place is inspired by the stunning scenery right outside.
There are also a bunch of great vacation rentals in the area. A few that caught our eye were: Barn Studio, Ruby Pines Vacation Yurt, and Chalet South Cabin.
Wallowa Lake State Park is an awesome choice for campers. It’s right by the lake and has campsites, cabins, yurts, showers, and even a beach and marina. And if you want to stay by the state park, but in a hotel, check out the Wallowa Lake Lodge!
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About the Author
This blog post was written by our writer Nicoll. Learn a bit about her below!
After six years of full-time travel, Nicoll is now a mountain-loving mama living in Colorado with her husband Jake, their sweet baby girl Teagan, and their pup Gunner. She loves hiking, riding her dirt bike, and finding joy in the little things.