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 a timber investment management organization. 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.

Funding to purchase land in Wallowa and Union counties comes from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pitman-Robertson Act and many of Oregon’s hunting and outdoor recreation groups.

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 and snowmobiles are prohibited on all area lands. The access road is unimproved; use caution if driving a passenger vehicle. High-clearance 4x4 vehicles are highly recommended. There are few to no turnouts. No trailers allowed up this route. Park trailers at the Minam Recreation Area and ride up from there.
• 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.  

Minam River Trail (National Forest Trail #1673)

The wildlife area includes about 8 miles of the almost 50-mile trail that runs up to Minam Lake in the middle of the Wallowa Mountains. The trail can be accessed from the trailhead on the wildlife area or from Two Pan Trailhead at the end of Upper Lostine River Road in the national forest. The Two Pan Trailhead to Minam Lake route adds about 6 miles to the whole hike. Access is allowed during the winter closure on the trail ONLY (and associated parking) but will be limited by the conditions of the Minam River due to the water crossing.‌

Visiting dates and hours

Open April 1 through Nov. 30 from 4 a.m., to 10 p.m. No ODFW parking permit required.

Facilities

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

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 and Reds Horse Ranch upriver also have recreation services on the Minam.‌

Features and ownership map (printable pdf)

What to see and do

Hiking and wildlife watching

The Minam River Trail offers year-round hiking access to the wildlife area and nearby Eagle Cap Wilderness. Visitors can see eagles, owls and hawks year-round along with a variety of songbirds, cavity nester, and upland birds like grouse, turkey and quail depending on the season.

Other watchable wildlife includes Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, while-tailed deer, coyotes, bobcats and a variety of small mammals. Cougar and black bear also live on the wildlife area.

Hunting and trapping

The Minam River Wildlife Area is open for early season hunting before Dec. 1. 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 hunting and trapping 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.

Directions & access roads

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

This access point to the wildlife area is locally called the Keystone Road Access. The coordinates are 45.598487, -117.705175.‌

Additional access points on the wildlife area: ‌

Wildlife Flats is located at 45.607783, -117.730037. It is not recommend coming to this location from the west. It's a really tight turn and will be difficult and dangerous for vehicles with a long wheelbase and/or a trailer to make. We recommend driving down to the Minam State Recreation Area to turn around and approach from the east. Currently parking is allowed on the gravel only. This is also the trailhead for the Minam River Trail (#1673.) A water crossing is required to access the wildlife area from this location. The Minam River is not suitable to cross during spring runoff. Check local water levels before attempting to cross.‌

Big Canyon Access is located at 45.574153, -117.656986. Limited parking is available at the gate but there are many places to pull off along the length of Big Canyon Road (NF-8270). There are posted signs that read, "Do Not Block the Gate." The wildlife area can be accessed from many of the pull offs as well. Big Canyon Access is just the only maintained trail on the east side. Road is not maintained in the winter.‌

Alder Spring Access is located at 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 primitive campsites nearby in the surrounding area. Follow Big Canyon Road (NF-8270) south and turn right at the fork. The road will turn 180 degrees and head north uphill to eventually terminate at Alder Spring. The road is relatively maintained but people should be on the lookout for rockslides, tree falls, mud, and snow. 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.