In eastern Oregon, south of the Columbia River, wheat fields, wind turbines, and unspoiled natural beauty shape the landscape around Wasco. The town is also a starting point on the Journey through Time Scenic Byway along Highway 97. This gives you two distinct themes to consider when planning your trip: railroad and local history in Wasco, and the region’s landscapes. If you’re looking for a hotel in Wasco, you can decide whether you’re mainly interested in the town’s historical sites or in places to visit nearby as well.
Railroad History and Historic Sites
The Columbia Southern Railroad Passenger Station and Freight Warehouse now house the Wasco Railroad Depot and Museum. The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Exhibits at the Wasco Train Depot include historical documents, artifacts, and model railroad displays. Access is seasonal: from Memorial Day through October 1, the museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m., and by appointment. Check the opening hours before your trip.
Wasco Depot Park also combines railroad history with public recreation. The park has a playground, a picnic area, and a skate park. One of its distinctive features is a scale-model caboose donated by Union Pacific Railroad in 1989. The historic Wasco School building was built in 1916. The auditorium at the Wasco School Events Center can accommodate receptions, class reunions, parties, memorial services, performances, retreats, and conferences.
Festivals and Activities in Town
Wasco Memorial Day takes place every year over Memorial Day weekend. The festival includes a memorial service, a parade, a classic car show, a raffle, and an arts and crafts market; the specific program may vary from year to year. In recent years, Christmas in Wasco at the depot has included cookies and hot drinks, photos with Santa, and a Christmas light-up ceremony. This program may also vary. If one of these festivals is important to your trip, check the dates and the program for the relevant year.
For more local activities, the Wasco Gym & Fitness Center has commercial fitness equipment and an active pickleball league. Self-guided walking tours of Wasco are available at City Hall and local businesses. This lets you include a range of interests in your trip plans without treating the historic buildings, park amenities, and recreational activities as the same experience.
Cycling and Nearby Destinations
The Sherman County Scenic Cycling Tour takes cyclists north from Moro to Wasco along Highway 97. Road and seasonal conditions may vary; check conditions before your ride. For historical context about the area, the Oregon Trail crossed the John Day River at the McDonald crossing in Sherman County, about 10 miles east of Wasco.
Natural attractions are also in the surrounding area, not in Wasco itself. Cottonwood Canyon State Park offers hiking, fishing, boating, and camping along the scenic John Day River. At White River Falls State Park, a 90-foot cascade plunges into a large basin. These regional attractions are distinct from Wasco’s railroad and local history sites and offer additional points to consider when choosing your destination.
Discover more destinations: Moro.
Return to the main travel overview: Sherman.
