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Wallowa Mountain Loop, Wallowa Mountains, Oregon
Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region · Public domain

Drives Oregon Eastern Oregon

Wallowa Mountain Loop

OR 350 · Joseph → Highway 86 near Halfway

Twisty54 mi1 hr 35 min4,600 ft climbHigh point ≈ 6,100 ftOne way
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The drive

The Wallowa Mountain Loop leaves Joseph on the Imnaha Highway, then follows Forest Road 39 south over the eastern Wallowas to Highway 86 near Halfway. It's 54 miles in about 1 hr 35 min, climbing to a high point near 6,100 feet.

The road is paved its whole length, narrow in places and with some potholes, and runs through pine and larch above the Imnaha River. A two-mile side trip leads to the Hells Canyon Overlook. It joins the Highway 86 drive toward Hells Canyon.

Along the way

  1. Joseph
  2. Forest Road 39
  3. Highway 86 near Halfway
Elevation
4,600 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 6,100 ft
JosephHighway 86 near Halfway
Curves
Mostly moderate, with two twisty stretches
JosephHighway 86 near Halfway
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • There are no services on the road; fuel and food are in Joseph and Enterprise, and Halfway.
  • Forest Road 39 closes for winter, usually from late November to about Memorial Day, and is a groomed snowmobile route when snow-covered.

Forest Road 39 closes for winter, usually from late November to about Memorial Day. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Forest Service: Wallowa-Whitman alerts.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Wallowa Mountain Loop take?

Joseph to Highway 86 near Halfway on the Wallowa Mountain Loop is 54 miles and takes about 1 hr 35 min.

Is the Wallowa Mountain Loop paved?

Yes. Forest Road 39 is paved its whole length, though narrow in places and with some potholes.

When does the Wallowa Mountain Loop close for winter?

Forest Road 39 usually closes in late November and reopens around Memorial Day, depending on snow.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Wallowa Mountain Loop, from Joseph to Highway 86 near Halfway