Getting Oriented
The Elkhorns are the southern range of the Blue Mountains, between the John Day country to the west and the Wallowa Valley to the east. Baker City sits on the eastern foot of the range on I-84. The byway leaves Baker City on Oregon 7, follows the Powder River past Phillips Lake to Sumpter, climbs through Granite to the Anthony Lakes ski-area road, and drops down via Haines back to Baker City.
The Wallowa-Whitman supervisor's office in Baker City is the operations center for both the Elkhorn loop and the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, the latter starting from the same town.
Trail Overview
A 106-mile paved loop. Counterclockwise from Baker City: Oregon 7 west to Sumpter (around Phillips Lake reservoir), Forest Road 73 / Granite Hill Road north through Granite to Anthony Lakes Highway, US 30 south through Haines back to I-84.
The road surface is paved the entire way, with the upper segments narrow, winding, and seasonally closed. The byway crosses Anthony Lakes Highway summit at 7,392 ft — the high point — before dropping into the Baker Valley. Snow closes the Granite-to-Anthony Lakes connector roughly half the year.
Points of Interest
- Phillips Lake. A Bureau of Reclamation reservoir on the Powder River with day-use sites, three campgrounds, and a boat launch.
- Sumpter. A 19th-century gold-rush town on the byway's southwest arc, with the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area (a preserved bucket-line dredge) and the seasonal Sumpter Valley Railroad excursion train.
- Granite. A ghost town turned summer hamlet on the byway's northwest curve. One of the smallest incorporated cities in Oregon by population.
- Anthony Lakes. A small ski-area complex at 7,000 ft on the byway's north arm. The lake has a Wallowa-Whitman campground and trailheads into the Elkhorn Crest National Recreation Trail.
- Haines. A small farm town on US 30 with the Haines Steak House, the byway's most-mentioned dinner stop.
- Eastern Oregon Museum. Local museum in Haines with regional ranching and railroad history.
- Ah Hee Diggings Interpretive Site. Roadside stop on the byway commemorating Chinese miners working the John Day country in the 1800s.
Where to Camp
Phillips Lake has three Forest Service campgrounds — Union Creek, Southwest Shore, and Mowich Loop — with potable water in season. Anthony Lakes Campground sits at 7,100 ft on the loop's high arm with vault toilets and seasonal water. Dispersed camping is allowed on Wallowa-Whitman National Forest land along the upper byway and its side roads. Baker City has full-service RV parks and motels.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Confirm the Granite-to-Anthony Lakes segment is open before driving the full loop in shoulder season. The Wallowa-Whitman supervisor's office (541-523-6391) holds current status.
- The full loop runs a half-day with stops; a full day if you ride the Sumpter Valley Railroad or hike at Anthony Lakes.
- Pair the byway with the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway for a multi-day Northeast Oregon loop based out of Baker City.
- The Sumpter Valley Railroad runs weekends Memorial Day through September. Check the schedule if you want to combine.
- Anthony Lakes Highway peaks at 7,392 ft. Watch for afternoon thunderstorms in summer.
