Baker: Gold Rush History, Lakes and Trails

Baker brings together reasons to visit that differ considerably: gold mining and the history of the Oregon Trail sit alongside museum visits, mountain scenery, and experiences on the water. When planning your trip, it helps to choose a focus first. Travelers who put culture and history first will find different points of interest than those interested in trails, lakes, or a scenic drive.

Gold Rush History and Traces of the Oregon Trail

The grounds of the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center include remnants of the historic Flagstaff Gold Mine and original tracks left by pioneer wagons. Here, you can encounter evidence of gold mining and the travel history of the Oregon Trail in the same place. The center also has a theater for films, talks, and dramatic performances.

There are also several trails of varying lengths for outdoor activities. The paved Flagstaff Hill Loop Trail is 0.5 miles long and rated easy. The grounds also include four miles of interpretive hiking trails. Depending on your interests, you can combine a visit with a short loop or spend more time on the trails.

The Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge also tells the story of the mining industry: it was the last of three floating dredges built in the Sumpter Valley. Visitors may tour the dredge seasonally from May through October; dates may change. So check current visiting dates before your visit. About 1.5 miles of trails run through the wetlands of the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area. Current advisories may affect individual sections of trail.

Another part of the region’s railroad history is the Sumpter Valley Railroad, Oregon’s only narrow-gauge, steam-powered railroad. More than seven miles of track have been rebuilt, mostly through volunteer work, and the network continues to expand. Sumpter Station is at the entrance to the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area.

Lakes, Trails and Outdoor Activities

Boating and fishing are available at Unity Lake State Recreation Site. Facilities include a boat ramp, spaces for boat trailers, restrooms, and water. At Anthony Lake, fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking are possible in summer; the lake is for non-motorized use only. Fishing and hiking are also available in the Elkhorn Mountains near Anthony Lakes.

The Anthony Lake Shoreline Trail is a gravel loop around a subalpine lake. Conditions and access may change seasonally. For mountain bikers, the Broadway Flow Trail at Anthony Lakes is another option: it is almost three miles long, with flowing sections and banked turns on the descent for all skill levels. Which activity is right for you also depends on whether you prefer to spend time on the water, go hiking, or plan a downhill bike ride.

The Phillips Lake Trail System runs for more than six miles along Phillips Lake. The trails are open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders; local conditions may vary. With different uses permitted, it makes sense to consider not only the length of a trail when planning your day, but also the activity you have in mind.

Scenery and Routes

The Elkhorn Scenic Byway winds through the Elkhorn Mountains and past gold-mining ghost towns, lakes, and rivers. The Journey Through Time Scenic Byway begins in Baker City. Baker County borders the Wallowa Mountains and Hells Canyon. This canyon is 7,993 feet deep and, in some places, up to ten miles wide from rim to rim. The routes and landscapes offer different themes for a drive: mountain scenery, historic mining sites, and bodies of water, as well as the canyon’s striking scale.

Museums and Regional History

The Baker Heritage Museum is housed in the historic 1920 Natatorium. Its collections include a rock and mineral collection, historical memorabilia, mining materials, and Oregon Trail artifacts. Permanent and changing exhibits also cover the timber industry, ranching, agriculture, the early history of Baker City, Chinese culture, and wildlife. The topics range from natural history to the region’s stories of work and everyday life.

In Haines, the Eastern Oregon Museum houses thousands of artifacts relating to the history of the upper Baker Valley and upper Powder Valley. Together with the collections at the Baker Heritage Museum, it offers another way to explore regional history, with a distinct focus on the two valleys.

Plan Your Hotel Search Around Your Travel Interests

This can help you choose the destinations to include in your plans and tailor your stay to your interests. Then search specifically for hotels in Baker that suit your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Sumpter, Baker City, Washington, Clackamas, Polk County, Jackson, Deschutes and Lake County.

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