Snake River-Mormon Basin Back Country Byway
Department of Transportation.
Drive along the river canyons, through aspen lined meadows, over flowered basins, and into the timbered mountains. The Snake River/Mormon Basin Back Country Byway is scattered with wildlife and habitat projects. The wooded areas are the sites of timber harvests and reforestation projects, so watch out for logging trucks. This byway is also known for its mining exploits from both past and present. Come learn about the Basin's history in mining.
Directions
Getting to the Byway:
From La Grande to Baker City
- Go southeast on Jefferson Ave. to ward Maple St.
- Jefferson Ave. Becomes Maple St.
- Turn right onto Adams Ave.
- Turn right onto Island Ave.
- Merge onto I 84
- Follow I 84 for 42 miles
- Take the OR 7 exit (304) toward Geiser Grand Hotel/Baker City Center/Historic District
- Turn right onto Campbell St.
- Turn left onto Main St.
- Follow OR 7
- Turn right onto Valley Ave.
- Turn left onto 3rd St. and start the byway at Baker City
From John Day to Baker City
- Go northeast on E. Main St., or US 26, toward SE Dayton St.
- Follow US 26 for 28 miles
- Turn left onto Whitney Hwy
- Turn left onto 3rd St. and start the byway at Baker City
From Ontario to Huntington
- Go east on E. Idaho Ave towards NE 1st St.
- Follow E. Idaho Ave
- Merge onto I 84 W through the ramp on the left towards Baker City
- Go 23.5 miles
- Take exit 353 toward Huntington
- Turn slightly right onto US 30
- Go 4.8 miles and start the byway at Huntington
Navigating the Byway:
- The byway begins in Baker City. Head north on Main St./OR-7/US-30 toward Valley Ave.
- In 1 mile turn left at Cedar St/OR-86.
- Continue on Cedar St/OR-86 for 39.4 miles then turn right at Sass Road.
- After 0.8 miles turn right at Snake River Road.
- Stay on Snake River Road for 38.9 miles and continue through Huntington.
- In Huntington continue on Washington St. E.
- In 0.4 miles turn left at 1st St. W.
- After 0.2 miles make a slight right at Malheur Line Road.
- In 4.1 miles make a slight left to stay on Malheur Line Road.
- Stay on Malheur Line Road for 8.3 miles where it turns into Huntington Road.
- After 6.8 miles take a sharp right at Willow Creek Road.
- After 0.8 miles make a slight right at Mormon Basin Cutoff Road.
- Head north on Mormon Basin Cutoff Road for 3.4 miles then turn left at Mormon Basin Road.
- Head west on Mormon Basin Road for 10.7 miles then continue on Malheur Reservoir Road.
- After 3.1 miles make a slight right at Shumway Road.
- In 1/2 mile continue on Bridgeport Road.
- Continue on Bridgeport Road for 5.9 miles then make a sharp right and get on OR-245.
- Head east on OR-245 for 15.5 miles than turn right at OR-7.
- Continue on OR-7 for 9.1 miles. The byway ends back at Baker City.
Additional Information
