Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Recreation

Return to Wallowa-Whitman home

Wallowa Mountains Office

& Visitor Center

Hells Canyon NRA , Eagle Cap RD , and Wallowa Valley RD

88401 Hwy. 82

Enterprise , OR 97828

(541) 426-5546

Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Last Updated January 9, 2009

The Annual Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Races amd Winterfest are scheduled for January 14-17. Fun for all ages!

We now have all of the criteria for the Winter season. Lots of snow and cool temperatures!

Snow depths at Salt Creek Summit Sno-Park (6100 feet elevation) are at 12" and more. Road conditions to the Sno-Park include snow and occasionally rocks in the road that have fallen off of the sidehills. Travel with caution and preferrably with four wheel drive vehicles. Plowing to the Sno-Park has begun because enough snow has fallen to warrant plowing.

GENERAL RECREATION INFORMATION

The Wallowa Mountains Visitor Center and Offices is the headquarters for the Eagle Cap Ranger District, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area , and Wallowa Valley Ranger District. It is located on the north end of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest . Access to this area includes State Highway 82 east of La Grande, Oregon and State Highway 3 (south of Lewiston , Idaho ).

The north end has over 175 miles of designated snowmobile trails and approximately 20 miles of designated cross-country ski trails. The majority of the groomed trails are centered out of Salt Creek Summit Sno-Park with one of the main snowmobile routes (FS Rd 39) connecting to Pine Ranger District (south end of Wallowa-Whitman National Forest). This area offers open forest suitable for sledding, snowboarding, snow-shoeing, and other winter recreation activities.

VEHICLE ACCESS AND SNOWPLOWING ACTIVITY

SNO-PARKS

Sno-Parking area parking lots and adjacent parking areas at the end of the plowed road serve the ski area users and other winter recreationists. Sno-Park permits are required to park vehicles and trailers in these areas from December 1 through April 30. Sno-Park permit sales are used to fund plowing of the Sno-Parks. Failure to display a permit in the windshield while parked in a Sno-park can result in a citation and fine. If you are from Idaho, California or Washington and have a current and valid Sno-Park permit to use from your residence state, they will be honored in Oregon.

A Day or seasonal Sno-Park permit may be purchased from one of the following businesses:

Oregon Dept. of Motor Vehicles, Enterprise , Oregon (541) 426-4024

Monday – Friday 10:00 am - 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm – 5 pm

Outlaw Motor Sports, Enterprise , OR 97828 (541) 426-3491

Monday – Friday 8:00 am-5:30 pm & Saturday 8:00 am-12:00 pm

Sports Corral, Joseph , Oregon (541) 432-4363

Monday – Saturday 8:30 am – 5:30 a.m.

SNOWMOBILE ROUTES

Snowmobile trails on the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area and Wallowa Valley Ranger District are groomed by the Wallowa County Gamblers Snowmobile Club per Memorandum of Understanding with the Forest Service. Motorized vehicle traffic is prohibited in areas posted as designated snowmobile routes .

For more current grooming and trail conditions, call one of the Gambler's Snowmobile Club members listed below.

Wilderness areas are closed to snowmobiles & other motorized use .

NORDIC SKI TRAILS

Comments : Nordic ski trails are marked but not groomed . Up-to-date Nordic trail and snowmobile information is available at the Wallowa Mountains Visitor Center (426-5546). PLEASE remember grooming and trail conditions can change rapidly according to the weather.

Local Club Contacts :

Wallowa County Gamblers

Gary Bethscheider, President, (541) 432-6853 or (541) 263-0304

Dan Thompson, Vice President, (541) 432-0912

Eagle Cap Nordic Club

Ken Bronec, President, (541) 432-3281

WINTER ACTIVITY – OUTFITTER AND GUIDES

The above outfitter and guides are equal opportunity service providers operating under special use permit administered by the USDA – Forest Service, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest :

DEVELOPED CAMPING AND DAY USE SITES

•  All Campgrounds and day use sites are not maintained in the off season.

•  Be advised that there are no services, clean up or safety inspections provided during the off season.

•  Users will need to bring their own water, toilet paper and other supplies and are responsible for cleaning up after themselves and hauling away any trash or other waste they generate. PACK IT IN – PACK IT OUT!!!!

Enjoy your Winter Outdoor Activities… BE PREPARED BY:

•  Checking the weather forecast.

•  Checking your vehicle for fuel and operation.

•  Letting someone know your timetable; and primary and alternate routes.

•  Taking along communication devices (like a cell phone or two-way radios).

•  Dressing appropriately in warm, water proof clothing.

•  Carrying a Winter Storm Survival Kit.

•  Watching out for un-maintained and unsafe trail conditions. Areas of caution include: slides, logs and blowdown trees across trails, icy or melted sections, and avalanches.

Enjoy your outdoor winter activity on

the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest !