Liz Farrar

With some of the most wild and scenic river miles in the state, the region is just the place to land the big one this winter. More

Artisan chocolatiers put an Eastern Oregon twist on drinking chocolate and other sweet treats this winter — just in time for the season’s first snowflakes. More

The communities of Cove and Union reside in the Grande Ronde Valley, tucked between the alpine peaks of the Wallowas and the rolling, forested Blue Mountains. More

There’s a place where cowboys and Native Americans aren’t just characters in old western movies; where cattle drives, campfire stories, and endless star-studded skies are part of everyday life. In the John Day River Territory, locals live history every day, and they’re eager to share it. So pack your spurs and hit the road for a chance to experience the Wild West as it really was.

Winding up the gravel road to Cornucopia, you can’t help but stare at the craggy mountains that surround you. The sense of anticipation builds as you round each corner. Sunshine dapples the road and the peaks get larger and larger on the approach. Wild plum trees drip with ripe fruit. We stop to gather some for an experiment in jam-making, then hop back in the jeep and continue up the road. A few more turns and a slight rise in the road reveals our destination...

It started as “a frontier exhibition of picturesque pastimes, Indian and military spectacles, cowboy racing and bronco busting for the championship of the Northwest.” And over the last century, the Pendleton Round-Up has been that and so much more. Today, the Round-Up is a world-famous, week-long spectacle drawing the nation’s best cowboys and thousands of their fans to Pendleton every September. In addition to daily rodeo action, you’ll find unique events like the Westward Ho! Parade, which includes an only-in-Pendleton mix of covered wagons, marching... More

With snowcapped mountains, lush forests, rugged canyons, and prehistoric fossil beds, the John Day River Territory is a playground for nature lovers. The region’s natural beauty invites visitors to stay awhile; to bike, hike, fish, swim, paddle and savor life slowed down to perfection. It’s the perfect destination for those who want to trade in life’s hustle and bustle for a few days of peace, serenity, and awe-inspiring views.

There’s a place where cowboys and Native Americans aren’t just characters in old western movies; where cattle drives, campfire stories and endless star-studded skies are part of everyday life. Explore the vast history and rich legacy of the Native Americans, pioneers, artists and dreamers who have made their home in northeast Oregon throughout the centuries. Visit the gravesite of Old Chief Joseph and learn about the special relationship between his Nez Perce tribe and the Wallowas. Marvel at the towering Sumpter Dredge, once used to... More

From the outside it doesn’t look like much. Given its location,  standing alone in a city park in the small eastern Oregon town of John Day, the stout little structure might be mistaken for some kind of shuttered concession stand—a place to buy hot dogs and soft drinks in summer, when the park swimming pool is open. Except for the hand-lettered sign overhead saying Kam Wah Chung & Co., and the fact that its address is on Canton Street, you’d never guess that this building— just blocks from the Grant County...

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and love is in the air in Eastern Oregon. With award-winning wineries, innovative chocolatiers, and cozy accommodations, the region practically oozes romance 365 days a year. It’s the perfect place to treat your special someone to something special. More