Oregon's Charming City In The Blue Mountains Boasts Natural Beauty And A Bustling Downtown

Baker City, tucked in between the Blue Mountains in Eastern Oregon, is a great home base for outdoor adventure. You shouldn't ignore its historic downtown, though. The city's center has just as much to offer as the beautiful landscape around it.

Baker City was just another dot on the Oregon Trail, the migration route that transported people from Missouri to Oregon in the first half of the 19th century. Then, miners found gold in 1861. Baker County and, eventually, Baker City were established. The gold rush didn't last, but the incoming railroad did. The young city became a major trading center nicknamed the "Queen City of the Inland Empire." It grew into one of the largest cities in Oregon. The city's prominence did decline, but its downtown historic district remains intact. More than 100 buildings were restored and are now on the National Register of Historic Places. Baker City, home to about 10,000 people, is now a tourism hub for the surrounding mountains. One of the best scenic road trips in Oregon even passes through this charming town.

Though Baker City sits along western Interstate 84, a major road that connects Portland and Salt Lake City, it is fairly remote. Pendleton Airport (PDT), the closest airport, is 100 miles to the northwest. It only receives nonstop flights from Portland. Boise might be an extra 30 miles in the opposite direction, but its Boise Airport (BOI) has a lot more options, with nonstop flights to 26 cities around the country.

Though Baker City sits in the Powder River Valley, the city is almost entirely encircled by the Blue Mountains. The Elkhorns lie to the west, and the Wallowas sit to the east. The vast region extends into Idaho and Washington.

The Blue Mountains are home to both a national forest and state park. Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, which was created when seven forest reserves were combined in 1908, now covers nearly 2.5 million acres. This lesser-known Oregon national forest is an alpine gem worthy of its social media hype. The national forest is a popular mountain biking area, and its Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is also known for its hiking trails and whitewater rafting rapids. Wallowa Lake State Park, also near Baker City, is one of Oregon's most enchanting natural gems. The glacial lake is surrounded by the snowcapped Wallowas. You can ride the seasonal Wallowa Lake Tramway ($50 for an adult ticket) to the top of Mount Howard for stunning views of the water and the forest. You can also go camping, go fishing, or rent a water vessel to get around the lake.

Then, there are the Elkhorns. Formed in the South Pacific before the tectonic plates shifted, these gorgeous mountains are considered a year-round destination. During the summer, the Elkhorn Crest Trail is an underrated multi-day hike with stunning views along its 28 mile-long path. Once the snow falls, the Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort opens for downhill skiing. The non-profit ski area usually receives more than 250 inches of snow each year. 

After working up a sweat in the mountains, you're ready to return to your home base. On your way back, you should stop at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. The hillside center, where you'll learn about the pioneers' journey west, sits on 500 acres outside the city. It features an interactive museum, exhibits, and a pioneer wagon replica. You'll also understand more about the gold mines that drew people to Baker City.

After learning about the gold rush, you can see what it built in the Baker Historic District. St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, the Baker Hotel, and the Geiser Grand Hotel are all historic buildings in this area. So is the Baker Municipal Natatorium. The 1920s structure, which was built to house an indoor swimming pool, is now home to the Baker Heritage Museum.

Small galleries, restaurants, and shops now fill the restored, late Victorian buildings around them. Crossroads Carnegie Art Center hosts local artists, as well as traveling exhibits from around the world, in the former Carnegie Library. Latitude 45 Grille took over the old Antlers Hotel. The restaurant now uses as much organic and locally-sourced produce as possible. Barley Brown's Brew Pub is another local favorite. The award-winning taphouse was built in what used to be a bakery. You will also notice Betty's Books, the Cheese Fairy, and the No. 1911 boutique as you walk through the city. Baker City is the perfect blend of history and natural beauty.