Tucked into the northeastern corner of Oregon is the unexpectedly quaint little town of Joseph. How had I never heard of the Wallowa Mountain range or the beautiful geography of this lesser known area? Sometimes referred to as “Little Switzerland,” the scenery is stunning and there are plenty of things to do in Joseph, Oregon as a visitor. Many people may not have heard of Joseph, because it’s not on the way anywhere else. The road to Joseph is essentially the road to Joseph and nowhere else.
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Jospeh is stunning as soon as you arrive. Trees line the main street, and mountains tower around the the town. With a population just over 1,000, the town is small with all the businesses along the main street. You could see all the businesses in a day. But it’s the activities outside of town that are the top things to do in Joseph, Oregon! You can see waterfalls, wildflowers, high alpine lakes, and jagged peaks.
Where to Stay in Joseph, Oregon
Joseph, Oregon is basically one main street through the middle of town where you find all the businesses. Since many of the things to do and see in Joseph are all in one spot, I prefer to stay right in the action.
The Jennings Hotel – We stayed at the Jennings Hotel and absolutely LOVED it. As of right now, you can only find this property on Airbnb and the link to The Jennings Hotel HERE. There are no TV’s in the room, just one in the communal kitchen/library so keep that in mind.
The location couldn’t be better, it’s in the most unique old historic building and has like 12 renovated rooms (some do not have their own bathroom, but the bathroom in the hallway is very nice). Rooms are done with recycled old materials, which I love! There is a community kitchen and deck as well as a sauna. The rooms are so unique, spacious, and well done. I truly think this is THE place to stay in Joseph and would stay here again and again.
Eagle Cap Chalets – These cute little cabin rentals are at the far end of Wallowa Lake and are great for more budget friendly guests who also want the convenience of their own little kitchen.
Kokanee Inn – The Kokanee Inn is a cute little B&B at the far edge of town along the main road. You can read more and check availability HERE.
Wallowa Lake Lodge – This almost 100 year old lodge has the charm of old national park lodges. You can book traditional lodge rooms in the main building or rent individual cabins scattered near the lakeshore. To see more and book online, click HERE.
Wallowa Lake Resort – This resort consists of numerous very different vacation cabin rentals. Some of them look super cute too. They are just a short walk to Wallowa Lake shore. For more info and booking click HERE.
Mt Joseph Lodge – On the edge of town, this log lodge has 8 different units to it of various sizes. They also run Copper Lodge, which is an entire house rental on Lake Wallowa. Click HERE for more info and booking.
Trouthaven Cabins – 10 adorable cabins on Wallowa Lake, this small, family owned traditional resort has been owned and kept in the family since the 1950’s. You can find more info on their website HERE, but you’ll have to call to book and the fact that they only take cash or check may complicate things.
East Street Cottages – Away from the main street through Joseph but still in town, these cottages are an easy walk to shops and restaurants. Spacious units with outdoor patios. It’s partner property Indian Lodge Motel is along the main street in town.
Bronze Antler B&B – For a true Bed and Breakfast experience, the Bronze Antler has excellent reviews and only a handful of rooms. They are also well located right in town. Their elegant rooms and gourmet breakfast has become a favorite for many visiting Joseph. Click HERE to book.
Eat and Shop Main Street
Main street in Joseph has plenty of delicious food options.
The Dog Spot – This cute little restaurant on the corner is the first of its kind that I’ve seen. It combines a pet store with a restaurant. The owners are very sweet and the chef is well travelled, serving up unique international dishes from around the world. You can eat with your pet outside if you’d like.
The Gold Room – This cozy woodfire pizza joint is just downstairs of the Jennings Hotel which makes it convenient. The pizza is unique and delicious.
Old Town Cafe – This cute little restaurant is probably the best breakfast in town. It seemed very popular, and we ate there both mornings in Joseph. I loved the crepes and biscuits and gravy.
Arrowhead Chocolates – This is definitely the place to get a good coffee in the morning…mainly because there aren’t really any other options. But we were pleasantly content with our mocha and cappuccino and the chocolates looked divine.
Blythe Cricket – We missed this cute little spot on the edge of town, but it’s got some great reviews and an adorable vibe. Wish I’d made it here.
Hiking
Probably the most popular thing to do around Jospeh, Oregon is to go hiking. People come from all over to hike and backpack the 361,446 acres of the dramatic Eagle Cap Wilderness. And even larger is the neighboring Hells Canyon Recreation Area.
The Eagle Cap Wilderness is fantastic for day hiking, overnight hiking, and multi-day backpacking trips. There are a few major areas to begin hiking from all close to Joseph and the hike we chose was from the Hurricane Creek Trailhead. I’m dying to get back and do some more, because we were really limited on time.
The hike started out fairly unscenic, but by our stopping point, it had become quite lovely. We made it to a waterfall and this really incredible rock face with cascading pools down the front. It was warm out, so I jumped in the frigid pools.
AllTrails has a really great summary of hikes in the area with pictures of each. Click HERE.
Camping
There are over a dozen campgrounds in the area around Joseph. Find more information HERE.
Wallowa Lake and the Wallowa Lake Tram
Wallowa Lake is a large lake just about a mile south of town. There is a small community at the southern end with a few houses, lodges, cabins, and camp ground as well as day use area.
The Wallowa Lake Tramway runs from May through September from roughly 10 am to 4 pm (varies depending on month) and can accommodate up to 4 adults. You can purchase your tickets online ahead of time HERE or just purchase from the booth at the time of your ride. Adult tickets are $40. From the top, you can dine at the Summit Grill and enjoy a number of hikes with views.
Ride the Joseph Branch Railriders
You can opt to do a 1 or 2 hour ride out of Joseph on these unique 4 wheel rail bikes that follow tracks. In Wallowa, the season typically runs May through October. You can buy your tickets online and learn more about the Joseph Railriders HERE.
