Eastern Oregon is a vast region of the state of Oregon, encompassing over half of its land area. It is known for its rugged landscapes, including the high desert, stunning mountain ranges, and winding rivers. The region is also known for its agriculture, particularly for the production of wheat, hay, and cattle. Eastern Oregon is home to several charming small towns, historic sites, and recreational areas, including the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the Wallowa Mountains, and the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Eastern Oregon for its opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting.
If you’ve ever pulled over on the side of an Oregon highway because a shiny rock caught your eye, there’s a good chance you already understand the magic of Central Oregon rockhounding. Out in the high desert around Prineville, the obsession runs deep. Every year,...
We're going a bit out on a limb here at That Oregon Life. This story began as a sort of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" compilation, but after a giant list of my own and a slew of recommendations from friends all over the state, we realized that wasn't going to work....
There’s something about a drive-in movie theater that feels like stepping into a different era. The glow of a giant outdoor screen. The hum of car radios. The smell of popcorn drifting through warm evening air. It’s the kind of experience that instantly slows you down...
There are places in Oregon where time doesn’t just slow down… it quietly slips away altogether. I discovered one of those places the moment I stepped aboard a vintage train in the tiny town of Elgin. The engine hummed to life, the whistle echoed across the valley, and...
If you’re looking for the kind of fall road trip that feels like getting into Doc Browns DeLorean for your very own Back To The Future III, Oregon’s Elkhorn Scenic Byway is it. This 106-mile loop out of Baker City winds through old mining towns, alpine lakes, and...
Deeper than the Grand Canyon, rich in Native legend, steeped in tragedy, and overflowing with fierce beauty, these are the untold stories of Hells Canyon in Oregon. Along the Oregon-Idaho border lies Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge. At 7,993 feet...
Burger Bob’s is an old-fashioned drive-in dishing out juicy burgers, crispy fries, and thick milkshakes, all made fresh and worth the wait. If a road trip takes you through Baker City, make sure to pull off for a stop at Burger Bob’s Drive-In. Since 1960, this...
Eagle Cap is the kind of spot where locals celebrate birthdays and travelers feel like they’ve found a hidden gem, especially when craving a big, juicy, made-from-scratch burger. When a serious burger craving hits in northeast Oregon, then Eagle Cap Grill in Baker...
In recent months, reports of mysterious lights and so-called drones have captured attention across the United States. From glowing orbs hovering over remote areas to strange aerial formations spotted in Oregon’s vast wilderness, and even in largely populated areas of...
The combination of mouthwatering comfort food, ice cream and pie, along with a rich local history, makes Austin House a standout spot to check out in eastern Oregon. If you’re traveling through the wide-open beauty of eastern Oregon and craving a hearty home-cooked...
Towering rocks that look like a honeycomb, scrubby brush and plants that exist nowhere else on earth, and a sense of awe are what greet you when you step into the spectacular Owyhee Canyonlands. It's our job to protect this magical place for future generations. The...
I can't tell you how much I love Oregon's high desert. I grew up in the lush greenery of the Willamette Valley, and while I love that too, there's something special about our state's gorgeous high desert area. Two thirds of our state is high desert, and features...