GREAT OUTDOORS

Union County is nestled between the Blue Mountains and the Wallowa Mountains, offering stunning views and limitless outdoor recreation opportunities -- all within a relatively short distance of any community in Union County. To the south, the beautiful Elkhorn range of the Blues offers easy access to Anthony Lakes and great hiking trails.

Enjoy backpacking in the wilderness? The Eagle Cap Wilderness Area takes up a large part of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and is accessible above Cove and from neighboring Wallowa County. It's the largest wilderness area in the state.

If improved or semi-improved campgrounds are your choice, you'll find several state parks and national forest campgrounds throughout the region. Near La Grande is the publicly owned Mount Emily Recreation Center, which offers 3,700 acres of forest land that has areas designated for ATV/off-road use, horseback riding, mountain biking or just hiking around.