Enjoy Beautiful Birds-Eye Views In Oregon On The Wallowa Lake Tramway
By Sarah McCosham|Published March 25, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
You don’t have to go far to enjoy a stellar scenic view in Oregon. Between our superlative state parks, iconic city skylines, and incredibly varied geography, perfect panoramas abound in the Beaver State. And the Wallowas rank at the top of the list in terms of stunning scenery. Surrounded by the lush forests, glacial lakes, and the wide expanse of Eastern Oregon, the Wallowas are one of the state’s most resplendent treasures — and adventurers can enjoy beautiful birds-eye views on the Wallowa Lake Tramway.
The Wallowas are one of Oregon's most striking natural wonders. Home to majestic mountains, pristine alpine lakes, and verdant forests, there's nowhere in the PNW quite like the Wallowas.
There are numerous hiking trails in the Wallowas, each offering thrilling views of the majestic mountains. And while we're all for lacing up our shoes and hitting the trails, nothing quite compares to the views you'll get on the Wallowa Lake Tramway.
This unique tram was the steepest four-person gondola in all of North America when it was built in 1970; and decades later, it remains a superlative Beaver State attraction.
The ride aboard this Swiss-engineered tram takes just 15 minutes, and it carries travelers 3,700 feet up into the mountain. This area is absolutely gorgeous, but snow remains at the top well into the summer. As such, make sure to bring a jacket so you'll be comfortable while exploring at the top!
While you're marveling at the extraordinary feat of engineering, don't forget to enjoy views of Wallowa Lake far below, and the mountains all around you.
In our opinion, the best way to savor the views is from the Summit Grill, AKA "The Northwest's Highest Restaurant." The Summit Grill service is on the Alpine Patio located at the tramway’s upper terminal, which sits at the 8,150-foot-level of Mt. Howard.
Once you’ve experienced the Wallowas like this, you probably won’t want to leave. And luckily, you don’t have to! You can stay and enjoy amazing, year-round camping at Wallowa Lake State Park.
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