The name Wallowa comes from a Nez Perce word referring to a triangular structure of stakes that supported a network of sticks, called lacallas, used to create a fish trap. The Nez Perce placed these traps in the Wallowa River just below the outlet of Wallowa Lake. According to Lewis A. McArthur, author of Oregon Geographic Names, the origin of the name is debated. However, he gives significant weight to Levi Ankeny’s account, as Ankeny was well-versed in the early history and traditions of the Wallowa Valley and had close relationships with many Nez Perce who knew the true origins of the name. Picture – Main Street Wallowa 1910. [Wikipedia]

The Wallowa Cemetery, also known as the Catholic Cemetery, is recognized as an Oregon historic cemetery, preserving the legacy of early settlers

Take the time to wander the grounds; you’re sure to see gravestones from the late 1800s!

The Wallowa Mountains, often called the “Alps of Oregon,” have the most complex and extensive geological history of any range in the state. Unlike the volcanic Central Oregon Cascades, the Wallowas are a striking mix of granite and limestone, shaped by ancient seabeds, tectonic shifts, and glacial activity. This diverse geology has created dramatic alpine landscapes, deep canyons, and rugged peaks. The range also contains remnants of prehistoric coral reefs, a testament to its deep oceanic origins over 250 million years ago.

Learn how to “untangle what you see” in this podcast with geologist Dr. Kim Ely.

Along the route you will see some mature, gnarly, weathered apple trees. In later summer they are populated with smallish red apples. These trees are usually indicative of homesteads from the late 1800s early 1900s.

The Joseph Branch Trail-with-Rail Consortium is “developing a non-motorized trail alongside the existing railroad tracks (just to the west of the route, miles 14 to 20) within the publicly-owned Wallowa-Union Railroad Authority corridor. Starting in Elgin, the trail winds through the Grande Ronde and Wallowa river valleys, terminating 63 miles later in Joseph. Along the way, the trail connects the small towns of Minam, Wallowa, Lostine, and Enterprise. Love this picture! Click on it to see in full view.

Just downstream from where you cross the Wallowa River, a section of the river’s floodplain was transformed into a thriving ecosystem in the summer of 2022 via a collaborative project between the Wilson-Haun family and Trout Unlimited.

Through intensive efforts, crews dug side channels, placed 500 logs, built 50+ beaver dam analogs, and planted thousands of native trees and plants. This work restored the river’s natural flow, slowing water, replenishing groundwater, and creating essential habitats for salmon, steelhead, lamprey, and other wildlife.

The project’s impact is profound (watch this video). The reconnected floodplain now supports spawning Chinook salmon, increased bird populations, amphibians, dragonflies, and even mammals like bobcats and bears. Game cameras have even recorded a beaver, signaling nature’s return to self-sustaining cycles. Listen to our podcast on the importance of beavers with Maureen Thompson, the Manager of the Beaver Works program at Think Wild.

At the confluence of the Wallowa and Lostine Rivers, nestled among a stand of cottonwood trees, the Nez Perce manage a weir for fish monitoring and restoration. In 2021, after decades of efforts to improve fish passage past eight major dams, the tribe successfully reintroduced coho salmon to the Lostine River, marking a significant step in restoring the region’s native fish populations.

Nearby, Chief Joseph (Tuekakas), the revered Nez Perce leader, was originally buried in this area. However, after his gravesite was vandalized by white settlers, his remains were moved to the banks of Wallowa Lake, where they rest today.

This historic site is located one mile south of the published route at approximately mile 17.5. To visit, take Baker Road.

Located in the historic U.S. Forest Service headquarters of the Bear-Sleds Ranger District, this center now features a comprehensive interpretive exhibit showcasing the natural and social history of Wallowa Country. Spanning from Nez Perce times through settlement to the present, the exhibit includes artwork, historic photographs, artifacts, maps, and documents that bring the region’s rich past to life.