Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
Encyclopedia
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is a designated All-American Road in the U.S.
state of Oregon
. It is located at the northeast corner of Oregon and comprises Oregon Route 82, Forest Roads 39 and 3365, and most of Oregon Route 86
. From the west, the byway begins at the intersection of Oregon Route 82 and Interstate 84
near La Grande
and ends near Baker City
, at the junction of Interstate 84 and Oregon Route 86. It is 218.4 miles (351.5 km) long .
, runs through the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
, and goes near Wallowa Lake
, Salt Creek Summit, Hells Canyon Overlook
and the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. It is located at the northeast corner of Oregon and comprises Oregon Route 82, Forest Roads 39 and 3365, and most of Oregon Route 86
Oregon Route 86
Oregon Route 86 is an Oregon state highway running from Interstate 84 at Baker City to the Idaho state line at Oxbow . OR 86 comprises most of the Baker-Copperfield Highway No. 12 . It is long and runs east–west. OR 86 has an unsigned spur near Halfway, which runs for...
. From the west, the byway begins at the intersection of Oregon Route 82 and Interstate 84
Interstate 84 in Oregon
In the U.S. state of Oregon, Interstate 84 travels east–west, following the Columbia River and the rough path of the old Oregon Trail from Portland east to Idaho. For this reason, it is also known as most of the Columbia River Highway No. 2 and all of the Old Oregon Trail Highway No. 6 . It...
near La Grande
La Grande, Oregon
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 12,327 people, 5,124 households, and 2,982 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,833.5 people per square mile . There were 5,483 housing units at an average density of 1,260.3 per square mile...
and ends near Baker City
Baker City, Oregon
Baker City is a city in and the county seat of Baker County, Oregon, United States. It was named after Edward D. Baker. The population was 9,828 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, at the junction of Interstate 84 and Oregon Route 86. It is 218.4 miles (351.5 km) long .
Route description
Along its route, Hells Canyon Scenic Byway hugs the Wallowa RiverWallowa River
The Wallowa River is a tributary of the Grande Ronde River, approximately long, in northeastern Oregon in the United States. It drains a valley on the Columbia Plateau in the northeast corner of the state north of Wallowa Mountains. It rises in southern Wallowa County, in the Wallowa Mountains in...
, runs through the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
The Wallowa–Whitman National Forest is a United States National Forest in Oregon. Formed by a merger of the formerly separate Wallowa and Whitman national forests, it is located in the northeastern corner of the state, in Wallowa, Baker, Union, Grant, and Umatilla counties in Oregon, and includes...
, and goes near Wallowa Lake
Wallowa Lake
Wallowa Lake is a ribbon lake one mile south of Joseph, Oregon, United States. Impounded by high moraines, it was formed by a series of Pleistocene glaciers. On the south end of the lake is a small community made up of vacation homes, lodging, restaurants, as well as other small businesses....
, Salt Creek Summit, Hells Canyon Overlook
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is a United States National Recreation Area located on the borders of the U.S. states of Oregon and Idaho. The recreation area was established by U.S...
and the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area.
History
The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway was designated a National Forest Scenic Byway on April 19, 1992. It was later made an Oregon State Scenic Byway on February 19, 1997. The All-American Road designation was applied to the roadway on June 15, 2000.See also
- Hells CanyonHells CanyonHells Canyon is a wide canyon located along the border of eastern Oregon and western Idaho in the United States. It is North America's deepest river gorge at and part of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area....
- Hells Canyon National Recreation AreaHells Canyon National Recreation AreaHells Canyon National Recreation Area is a United States National Recreation Area located on the borders of the U.S. states of Oregon and Idaho. The recreation area was established by U.S...
- Hells Canyon Wilderness