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Mission46

Wallowa Lake Tramway

Ride the Wallowa Lake Tramway up Mount Howard. Lunch at the top, lake far below.

Ride the gondola from Wallowa Lake to the top of Mount Howard, then walk the summit trails to the overlooks. Up top, see who can spot the most distant peak, and try to pick out the hills of Washington and Idaho on the horizon. Get a photo with the lake far below you, then eat lunch at the Summit Grill. Bring a jacket; it's much colder at the top.

  • Date or adventure
  • Half day
  • Easy
  • Over $60
  • Outdoors
  • Spring, summer, and fall
  • Daytime

Good with just you, friends, family, and kids

Check before you go: opening hours, tickets, weather and trail conditions, and whether it's open this season

Ask about discounts: seniors, military and veterans, and students

Wallowa Lake Tramway (lower terminal), South end of Wallowa Lake, near Joseph59919 Wallowa Lake Hwy, Joseph, OR 97846
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Kids' version

Sky ride! Find each thing.

  1. The gondola car
  2. The lake way down below
  3. A snowy mountain
  4. A chipmunk
  5. A selfie at the top!

Checked November 2026

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About this place

The Wallowa Lake Tramway opened in 1970 and climbs about 3,700 feet in roughly 15 minutes, in little four-person gondolas, to an 8,150-foot summit. It's billed as the steepest four-person gondola in North America. At the top are more than two miles of trails to overlooks like Royal Purple Overlook, with views over the Wallowa Valley, the lake and the Wallowa Mountains, and on clear days, into Washington and Idaho.

The Summit Grill at the upper terminal calls itself the Northwest's highest restaurant. The tram runs in the warmer months, with the last ride down in the late afternoon, so check the season and hours before you go. Afterward, head about five miles down the road to Joseph, Oregon's Bronze Town.

Also in: Kid-Friendly Adventures

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