W E L C O M E     T O
B A K E R C O U N T Y
O R E G O N

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There's gold in Baker County, Oregon, and you can see it in the gold display at the U.S. National Bank in Baker City. Exhibits include gold dust, leaf gold, and the impressive 80.4 ounce Armstrong Gold Nugget, found in the area by George Armstrong in 1913. This frontier town was the hub of the Eastern Oregon gold rush in 1861, and the history of that era can still be seen in Baker City today.

For those who like trains, ride the Sumpter Valley Railroad and see the nations's largest gold dredge. The train is a restored gear-driven Heisler steam locomotive, and it takes two observation cars on seven miles of narrow-gauge railroad. The trip passes through a wildlife game area, where muskrat, beaver, geese, herons, and other waterfowl and animals may be seen. It also passes through the Sumpter mining district, which is the location of the Sumpter gold dredge. Operated from 1935 until 1954, this enormous dredge could move 280,000 cubic feet of gravel in one month. This area is now being developed as one of Oregon's newest state parks. The railroad is operated from Memorial Day through the last weekend of September, on weekends only.

Not only history, but recreation abounds in Baker County. The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest covers more than two million acres and has 60 campgrounds and more than 1,700 miles of trails. The national forest includes the Hells Canyon Wilderness, the Monument Rock Wilderness, Eagle Cap Wilderness, the North Fork John Day Wilderness, the Minam River, rare wildflowers, alpine meadows, snowcapped peaks, Anthony Lake and Phillips Reservoir. Phillips Reservoir, west of Baker City, and Unity Lake, 45 miles southwest of Baker City, both offer swimming, boating, fishing and camping. Drive the scenic Hells Canyon Overlook to see the deepest river carved canyon in North America, averaging 6,600 feet in depth. In the national forest, there are opportunities for hiking, camping, picnicking, hunting, boating, jet boat trips, and saddle and pack trips.

Visit Baker County, and have an adventure or see history come alive!

Six miles east of Baker City on Flagstaff Hill, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center will bring the Oregon Trail to life before your eyes.

Living history demonstrations with a audio background of leather creaking, wagon wheels turning and migrant voices make you feel like you are on the trail itself. There are also extensive displays of artifacts, video presentations, historic photos, and outside exhibits.

A two mile trail down into the valley leads you to the actual ruts carved deep into the ground by covered wagons.

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