In Baker, gold history can be encountered in traces across the land, in historic machinery and in museum collections. There are also trails through wetlands and mountain landscapes, as well as lakes offering different ways to enjoy the water. You can choose the focus of your explorations according to your interests: historical evidence, outdoor activity or insights into nature.
Gold History and Oregon Trail Traces
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. The easy, paved Flagstaff Hill Loop Trail is 0.5 miles long; the grounds also include four miles of interpretive trails. The shorter loop and the wider trail network offer different ways to explore the site and its history. A theater in the Center is set up for films, lectures and dramatic performances.
The Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge tells the story of gold mining from a different perspective: it was the last of three dredges built in the Sumpter Valley. Visitors can go inside the dredge from May through October; seasonal dates may change, so it is worth checking them before your visit. About 1.5 miles of trails wind through the wetlands of the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area. On-site notices may apply to individual trail sections.
The Sumpter Valley Railroad is also part of the region’s history. It is Oregon’s only narrow-gauge, steam-powered railroad. Largely volunteer crews have rebuilt more than seven miles of track, and the network continues to expand. Sumpter Station is at the entrance to the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area—a useful reference point between the railroad and the heritage site.
Trails, Mountains and Changing Views
Those choosing trails by their surface and length will find a wide range of options. The Broadway Flow Trail at Anthony Lakes is almost three miles long. Its descent features flowing sections and banked turns for riders of all skill levels. By contrast, the Anthony Lake Shoreline Trail is a gravel loop around a subalpine lake. Access and trail conditions may change seasonally.
At Phillips Lake, the more than six-mile-long trail system runs along the lake. It is open to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders; local conditions may vary. The trails differ not only in length, but also in the activities they allow. A quiet loop, a longer lakeside trail or a trail with downhill sections each offers something different.
The scenic driving routes have their own highlights, too. 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. At Hells Canyon, the scale of the landscape becomes tangible: it is 7,993 feet deep and, measured from rim to rim, up to ten miles wide in places. Baker County borders both the Wallowa Mountains and Hells Canyon.
Lakes, Water and Regional Collections
Boating and fishing are available at Unity Lake State Recreation Site. Amenities include a boat ramp, boat-trailer parking, restrooms and water. In summer, options at Anthony Lake include fishing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking; only non-motorized use is permitted on the lake. This restriction clearly distinguishes the two bodies of water described here.
Two museums with different areas of focus also offer a glimpse into the area’s history. The Baker Heritage Museum is housed in the historic 1920 Natatorium. Its collections include rocks and minerals, 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 Eastern Oregon Museum in Haines houses thousands of artifacts relating to the history of the upper Baker Valley and the upper Powder Valley. Together with the collections at the Baker Heritage Museum, it offers another way to explore the region’s varied stories, from landscape and settlement to mining and everyday life.
Discover more destinations: Sumpter, Baker City, Wasco, Sherman, Clatsop, Jefferson County, Yamhill County, Linn.
For the overview of the wider region: Oregon.
