It’s that time of year. Despite a foot of snow outside, I find myself dreaming about spring hikes, early wildflowers, and rivers frothy with snow melt. Warm weather isn’t right around the corner, but it’s coming and with it the promise of muddy hiking boots and new adventures. Plus, it’s never too early to start planning an adventure.
Here are two of our favorite spring trips in Eastern Oregon. They’re family friendly, accessible long before the snow melts in the high country, and bountiful with activity options.
The Owyhee Canyonlands- Early Season Hikes, Floats, & Incredible Geology
The Owyhee is one of my favorite places to head to escape the city. And escape it you will- this is a remote destination and one of the largest undeveloped expanses of land in the lower 48. A few of our favorite spots for car camping getaways are Leslie Gulch, Succor Creek, and 3 Forks. This is one of those places you'll visit and ask yourself, "this is Oregon?"
Activities: flat water paddling (Lake Owyhee), whitewater rafting / packrafting (Rome to Birch Creek), hot springs, backpacking, day hiking, car camping, bass and trout fishing
Ideal itinerary length: 4+ days, travel time adds to this itinerary
Time of year: Spring/ Fall
Distance from:
La Grande- 3hr (Succor Creek); 3hr45min (Leslie Gulch); 4hr30min (3 Forks)
Boise- 1hr45min (Succor Creek); 2hr (Leslie Gulch); 3hr (3 Forks)
Portland- 7hr (Succor Creek); 7hr40min (Leslie Gulch); 8hr30min (3 Forks)
Things to note:
Check the weather and plan ahead. Beware of rain on dirt roads as they can get treacherous.
Come with lots of water and/or rigorous water purification methods.
Practice leave-no-trace and follow local regs. This is a sensitive desert environment.
Don't travel without some sort of emergency communication device.
Watch for rattlesnakes.
ONDA is a great resource for trip planning. Likewise, hit us up! We'd love to help you plan, setup, and cater a trip.
Hells Canyon- North America's Deepest Gorge is a Spring Wildflower Paradise
Hells Canyon holds a special place in my heart. It's where Bayly and I went for our first backpacking trip together, and it's often my first wildflower hike of the season, with bright balsamroots painting the rolling canyon hillsides yellow. Like the Owyhee, it is a huge area with plenty to explore, some parts accessible by car, others only on foot, others only by boat. Hells Canyon can be reached through Idaho or Oregon. For a first trip, I recommend heading to Oxbow Oregon to camp, drive to the end of the road on the Oregon side for hiking, and bringing a kayak or canoe for exploring the reservoirs.
Activities: flat water paddling (the reservoirs), whitewater rafting / packrafting (the Snake River below the dam), hot springs, backpacking (Hells Canyon Wilderenss), day hiking, car camping, bass and crappie fishing
Ideally itinerary length: long weekend
Time of year: Spring & Early Summer
Distance from:
La Grande- 2hr (to Oxbow)
Boise- 3hr (to Oxbow)
Portland- 6hr (to Oxbow)
Things to note:
Check the weather and plan ahead. Hells Canyon can get HOT even in early summer.
Practice leave-no-trace and follow local regs. This is a sensitive environment.
Don't travel without some sort of emergency communication device.
Watch for rattlesnakes.
Here is a great USFS resource for trip planning. Likewise, hit us up! We'd love to help you plan, setup, and cater a trip.
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