Wallowa Lake
Glacial Lake · Joseph, Oregon
A ribbon lake a mile south of Joseph in the north-eastern corner of Oregon, held in place by some of the most textbook glacial moraines in North America - the lateral moraines either side stand hundreds of feet high and are visible as clean ridges from the valley floor. Behind it the Wallowa Mountains rise to nearly 10,000 feet in granite and snow, which is why the range is called the Alps of Oregon. Old Chief Joseph is buried at the north end, on land his band was forced from in 1877.
Wallowa Lake Highway, Joseph, Oregon, 97846, United States
The lake and the state park are open year round, with a day-use parking fee at the state park and camping reservable through the Oregon State Parks system - summer sites fill well ahead. ⚠ THE VALLEY IS EFFECTIVELY SEASONAL: the Wallowa Lake Tramway runs roughly late spring to early autumn and does not operate in winter, the resort village largely closes, and snow limits access. ⚠ OLD CHIEF JOSEPH'S GRAVESITE AT THE NORTH END IS A NEZ PERCE BURIAL PLACE and should be visited with the respect due to one. It is six hours from Portland and four from Boise.