Minam River Wildlife Area visitor guide

Visitors will find a wide variety of fish, wildlife and habitats within the boundaries of the Minam River Wildlife Area. The cold, clean waters of the Minam River flows through the property providing migration, spawning, and rearing habitat for Chinook salmon, steelhead, bull trout and Pacific lamprey.

Rocky Mountain elk and white-tailed deer graze the uplands of the Wallowa Mountains.  Elsewhere visitors might spot black bear and other small mammals such as bobcat. Bird watchers can record dozens of species throughout the seasons.

The nearby Eagle Cap Wilderness contains some of Oregon’s most diverse geology.

Establishment

The Minam River Wildlife Area began with the purchase of 441 acres along the river corridor south of the Minam State Recreation Area in 1967.  In 2021, the state purchased an additional 4,609 acres of land to the east from the Manulife timber investment management company. In 2023, phase 2 of the project added 10,964 acres and in 2024, the final phase added another 1,073 acres. The 16,646-acre wildlife area protects overwintering deer and elk herds and provides access to the Minam River Trail and the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, USFS Forest Legacy Program, Pitman-Robertson Act and many of Oregon’s hunting and outdoor recreation groups all raised money to  purchase land for the wildlife area.

Watch a 10-minute video about the Minam Wildlife Area

Best time to visit

The wildlife area is open to visitors from April 1 to Nov. 30 and each season offers something new to see.

• In spring, visitors may see deer and elk still concentrated on the area as they prepare to move to summer range. You may also encounter melting snow and muddy roads, so plan accordingly.
• Mountain bluebirds, horned larks and other birds can be common in the summer. Access is usually excellent but check for wildfire closures and restrictions during dry years.
• Fall is a time of transition as deer and elk migrate to lower elevations for the winter, and migrating birds drop it for a brief visit. Fire danger can be high, so check before you go
• The wildlife area is closed in the winter from Dec. 1 through March 31 to protect deer and elk herds that are wintering in the area, allowing them to avoid the deep snow at higher elevations. However, winter visitors often can see the herds from the Minam River Trail and associated parking area along Hwy 82, which are open year-round.
• There's no camping on the wildlife area. Camping is allowed at the Minam State Recreation Area and within Wallowa-Whitman National Forest boundaries. Check for the rules and regulations  on their associated websites or by calling their local offices.
• Passenger vehicles are allowed only on open roads; ATVs, snowmobiles and other motor-propelled vehicles (see definition) are prohibited on all area lands. 
• Open fires are prohibited.
• NOTE: From May 15 to Oct. 15, visitors may see cattle  in the area under an existing grazing lease. These are privately-owned cattle, so please leave them alone if you encounter them.  

See all state wildlife areas rules (Division 8).

Visiting dates and hours

• OPEN April 1 through Nov. 30 from 4 a.m., to 10 p.m. No ODFW parking permit required.
• CLOSED Dec. 1 through March 31, except for the Minam River Trail.

Facilities

Minam River Wildlife Area is a primitive use area with few developed facilities. Visitors can access the wildlife area through the Minam River Trail and parking areas.

Currently there are no restrooms within the wildlife area. Restrooms are available at the Minam State Recreation Area, and the additional recreation areas along the highway to Enterprise.

Many boat trips launch from the confluence of the Minam and Wallowa rivers, and the nearby Minam Store offers guide services, gear, supplies and some local history. The Minam River Lodge also provides recreational services upriver.‌

Features and ownership map 

Print this map as a pdf
Download this map as a geotiff

What to see and do

Hiking and wildlife watching

Depending on the season, visitors can see eagles, owls and hawks year-round along with a variety of songbirds, and upland game birds like grouse, turkey, and quail. Other watchable wildlife includes Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, coyotes, bobcats and a variety of small mammals. Cougars, wolves, and black bears are also present on the wildlife area.

Minam River Trail (National Forest Trail #1673)

The Minam River Trail offers year-round, non-motorized recreational access through the wildlife area and nearby Eagle Cap Wilderness. The wildlife area includes about 8 miles of the 49-mile trail that runs along the length of the Minam River to Minam Lake in the Wallowa Mountains. The trail can be accessed from the Wildlife Flats Trailhead, or from Two Pan Trailhead (Trail #1670) near Lostine. The Two Pan Trailhead to Minam Lake route adds about 6 miles to the whole hike, making for a combined 55 miles of trail through pristine alpine, valley, canyon, and riparian habitats. Winter visitors to the wildlife area are asked to restrict their movements to the MRT and respect the winter habitat closure.

NOTE: A large water crossing is required at the Wildlife Flats Trailhead, further information is listed in the Directions & Access section. Additionally, sections of trail may also be closed by fires, check for closures on the National Forest website.

Other wildlife area hiking trails and viewpoints coming soon.

Hunting and trapping

The Minam River Wildlife Area is open for hunting and trapping from April 1 through Nov. 30. The part of the wildlife area west of the Minam River is in the Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Unit. The remainder of the wildlife area east of the Minam River is in the Minam Wildlife Management Unit.

Hunters can pursue big game (deer, elk, bear, cougar), upland game birds (grouse, California quail, mourning doves, turkey) and waterfowl (ducks and geese). Furbearers and unprotected mammals such as coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, badgers, yellow-bellied marmots, snowshoe hares, Belding’s and Columbian ground squirrels are common in the area. Visitors are encouraged to consult big game, game bird, and trapping/furbearer regulations for season dates and restrictions.

Fishing 

Streams within the wildlife area are open to fishing from May 22 to Oct. 31. Anglers can target small rainbow trout in the smaller streams throughout the wildlife area, and large trout and mountain whitefish in the mainstem Minam River.

The 160 miles of perennial and intermittent streams, including a significant stretch of the Minam River, provide spawning, rearing and migration habitat for several populations of threatened or endangered species including Snake River spring and summer-run Chinook salmon, Snake River Basin steelhead, Grande Ronde bull trout, and Pacific lamprey. Consult current Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for seasons and restrictions.

Nearby: Minam State Recreation Area, Minam Store, Wallow-Whitman National Forest, Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa Lake Highway Forest Scenic Corridor.

Directions & access 

From the west. Take Hwy 82 from La Grande for 40 miles northeast to the Minam River Store. Turn right onto Deer Creek Rd., the entrance to the wildlife area is 0.35 miles south of Hwy 82.‌

From the east. Take Hwy 82 from Enterprise for 38 miles northwest to the Minam River Store. Turn left onto Deer Creek Rd., the entrance to the wildlife area is 0.35 miles south of Hwy 82. ‌

This access point is locally called the Keystone Access 45.598487, -117.705175.‌ This single lane access road is unimproved; High clearance 4x4 vehicles are recommended, use caution if driving a passenger vehicle. Due to insufficient road width and lack of turnouts, trailers are not advised up this route. Park trailers at the Minam Recreation Area and ride up from there. Be on the lookout for hill slides, rocks and fallen trees.

Additional access points on the wildlife area

Anderson Ranch Access (45.595203, -117.747785)

Located off Hwy 82 on the Minam Grade. Provides access to some of the wildlife area that is within the Catherine Creek Hunt Unit. Very limited parking and not suitable for most trailers. NOTE: Although this access does lead to the Minam River Trail it's not under the winter closure exemption. Those who wish to use the Minam River Trail in the winter must use the Wildlife Flats Access.

Wildlife Flats Access ( 45.607783, -117.730037 ) Minam River Trail, Trailhead

Open year-round

Located off Hwy 82. Due to its position, we don't recommend approaching this access from the west. The turn is very tight and is dangerous for vehicles with a long wheelbase and/or trailers. Instead, turn around at the Minam State Recreation Area and approach from the east.

Visitors can use this site for year-round access the Minam River Trail. A large water crossing is required to access the wildlife area from this location. During regular flows the river is safe to cross, but spring runoff can increase flows significantly and make crossing dangerous. Check local water levels before trying to cross. A boat launch and a hitchrack for livestock are available at this location.

NOTE: Winter access may be restricted during heavy snow events, access road is not kept free of snow.

Big Canyon Access ( 45.574153, -117.656986 )

This access is located on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest border and is subject to national forest regulations. Camping is allowed at this site and there are many other primitive campsites nearby. Follow Big Canyon Road 10 miles south of Highway 82 until you reach a fork and head southwest. After 1.5 miles the road turns northwest. Follow road for 2 miles till you reach a second fork, take the path on your right and continue northwest for 2 miles. Road terminates at the gate for Alder Springs. The road is relatively maintained but be on the lookout for hill slides, tree falls, mud and snow.

Alder Spring Access ( 45.515382, -117.640231 )

This access is located on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest border and is subject to National Forest regulations. Camping is allowed at this site and there are many other primitive campsites nearby. Follow Big Canyon Rd. south of Hwy 82 for 10 miles until you reach a fork and head southwest. After 1.5 miles the road turns northwest. Follow road for 2 miles until you reach a second fork, take the path on your right and continue northwest for 2 miles. Road terminates at the gate for Alder Springs. The road is relatively maintained but be on the lookout for hill slides, tree falls, mud and snow.

NOTE: Road is not maintained in the winter.‌

Address and phone

Minam River Wildlife Area
Deer Cr. Road – south of the intersection with Hwy OR-82
Wallowa, OR 97885
541-898-2826

Additional resources

Minam River Wildlife Area Management Plan (being developed)

Wildlife Area Administrative Rules

Header photo by David Jensen.