town guide: Joseph, Oregon
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town information
Joseph is a small mountain town nestled at the northern end of Wallowa Lake. It is a full-service town with a small grocery, laundromat, restaurants, and lodging. It is compact and all hiker services are easily walkable. It also has a vibrant arts community.
Joseph is named after Chief Joseph of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) people. Parts of the Blue Mountains Trail are coterminous with the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, so it may add to your experience to explore the area’s history (see Area Attractions below).
Joseph is a popular tourist destination. Accommodations can be scarce and expensive during the summer months, through Labor Day. Enterprise, which is 6 miles down Highway 82, is also a full-service town and another option to consider visiting.
Trail Mile: 0 (Northern Terminus of the Blue Mountains Trail is 7 miles away at Wallowa Lake State Park
Elevation: 4,150 feet
Population: 1,054
Getting there from the trail: The Wallowa Lake Trailhead, the northern terminus of the Blue Mountains Trail, is approximately 7 miles from Joseph via OR-351.
map of joseph with town amenities
town amenities
Post Office
101 N Main Street, Joseph, OR 97846, (541) 432-3231
8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday (closed Saturday and Sunday)
General Delivery Address:
Your name
℅ General Delivery
Joseph, OR 97846
Groceries
Market Place Fresh Foods
Market Place Fresh Foods is a full-service grocery.
208 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-577-9090
7:00 am – 9:00 pm Daily
Cafes and Restaurants
Joseph has a number of cafe and restaurant options. Below are a few options:
R & R Drive-In
R & R serves burgers, fries, shakes and other offerings in classic small-town american style. Just the thing to satisfy post-hike cravings.
301 N Lake St, Joseph, OR 97846, (541) 432-9000
Sun-Tues 10:30 am - 7:30 pm, Thur-Sat 10:30 am - 8 pm
Arrowhead Chocolates
Arrowhead is a cafe and chocolate shop serving espresso, teas, and speciality drinks alongside expertly made chocolate truffles of many flavors, a local favorite and a must-try for visitors.
4 S Main St, Joseph, OR 97846, (541) 432-2871
8:00 am - 4:00 pm daily , closed Thursday
La Laguna Mexican Restaurant
La Laguna serves lunch and dinner, including appetizers, tostadas, enchiladas, vegetarian, burritos, cocktails, and more.
507 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 , (541) 432-0380
11:00 am – 9:00 pm 7 days a week
The Blythe Cricket
Bakery and bistro offering breakfast, lunch, baked goods, espresso, coffee, beer, and wine.
700 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846, (541) 432-1522
7:00 am - 2:00 pm Wed-Fri, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Sat-Sun
Embers Brewhouse
Embers serves burgers, pizza, and other pub grub. It has a large outdoor eating area and WiFi.
204 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846, (541) 432-2739
11:00 am – 9:00 pm 7 days a week
Lodging
Joseph offers a number of lodging opportunities including motels, cabins, and bed and breakfasts. The following is a partial list of lodging options:
Indian Lodge Motel
The Indian Lodge Motel was built by Academy Award-winning actor Walter Brennan. The motel has 16 units and is centrally located. Rooms have WiFi, cable TV, air conditioning, and refrigerators. Reservations by phone only.
201 S Main St, Joseph, OR 97846, (541)-432-2651
Rates: $80+/night
Kokanee Inn
The Kokanee Inn is a modern bed and breakfast with a variety of room options. A full breakfast is included.
700 S Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-9765
Rates: $140+/night
Eagle Cap Chalets
The Eagle Cap Chalets offer a variety of cabins, chalets, and condos. They are located near the Wallowa Lake Trailhead (the northern terminus of the Blue Mountains Trail). There is a swimming pool, hot tub, and WiFi. Kitchenettes are available in some units. The Eagle Cap Chalets are a bike-friendly establishment.
59879 Wallowa Lake Hwy, Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-4704
Rates: $108+/night
Camping
Wallowa Lake State Park
The campground has restrooms and hot showers available. There is a camp store at the marina.
stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=20
Powerhouse Road (north end of Wallowa Lake) 800-551-6949 (information) 800-452-5687 (reservations)
Rates: $20/Tent Site $35/Full Hook Up. There is a hiker/biker camping center.
Outfitter
Quickhatch Provisions
Located in the ground floor of the Jennings Hotel, Quickhatch Provisions offers a mix of outdoor apparel, gear and supplies.
quickhatchprovisions.com
100 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846, (541) 263-7504
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday
The Sports Corral
The Sports Corral has a nice selection of outdoor gear, including fuel canisters, dehydrated meals, Platypus water bladders, MSR water filters, canister stoves, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite, Therm-a-Rest valve repair kit, tent stakes, tent seam sealer, Shoe Goo, backpack buckles, dry bags, trekking poles, trail runners, socks, Superfeet insoles, Yaktrax, gaiters, Frogg Toggs, and more.
401 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-4363
8:30 am – 5:30 pm Monday – Saturday (closed Sunday)
Laundry
Joseph Laundromat
facebook.com/josephlaundromat/
204 S Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-398-8302
7:30 am – 7:30 pm 7 days a week
Showers
Showers are available at the Wallowa Lake State Park Campground.
ATM
Community Bank
609 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846
Library
Joseph City Library
josephoregon.org/index.php/city-services/library
201 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 (541) 432-0141
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm Tuesday – Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday)
Fuel Canisters
Isobutane fuel canisters are available from The Sports Corral, Quickhatch, or Joseph Hardware.
Medical Services
Wallowa Memorial Medical Clinic
wallowamemorialmedicalclinics.org
800 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-426-7900
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday
Winding Waters Community Health Center
401 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 (541) 426-4502
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday
U.S. Forest Service Offices
Eagle Cap Ranger District
201 E 2nd St, Joseph, OR 97846 (541) 426-5546
8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday
Cell Service
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Verizon
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T-Mobile
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AT&T
Public Transit and Shuttles
Northeast Oregon Public Transportation
Northeast Oregon Public Transportation provides connections between La Grande and Joseph on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for $5 (one way). A summer shuttle provides service between Joseph and the Wallowa Lake Trailhead (the northern terminus of the Blue Mountains Trail) Monday thru Saturday. The summer shuttle stops at many of the hotels and the visitors center. Be sure to check with Northeast Oregon Public Transportation for the current schedule.
702 NW 1st St, Enterprise, OR 97828, (541) 426-3840
Minam Store Shuttle Service
The Minam Store provides vehicle shuttle services to trailheads in the area. For instance, hikers could have their car picked up at the Wallowa Lake Trailhead (the northern terminus) and left in Troy. Rates vary depending on the distance. Be sure to call ahead to confirm their availability and make a reservation.
72601 OR-82, Wallowa, OR 97885, (541) 437-1111
Other Services
Joseph Hardware
Joseph Hardware has a small camping section and sells isobutane fuel canisters.
101 S Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 (541) 432-2271
7:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday – Saturday and 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday
Area Attractions
Josephy Center for Arts and Culture
The Josephy Library has permanent art and exhibits about the Nimíipuu people as well as a comprehensive library.
403 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846, (541) 432-0505
Old Chief Joseph Gravesite
1.5 miles south of Joseph on Oregon State Highway 351/Wallowa Lake Highway.
nps.gov/nepe/planyourvisit/visit-old-chief-joseph-gravesite
Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site
Adjacent to Old Chief Joseph Gravesite, this interpretive trail provides more information about Old Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.
stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=190
Joseph Oregon Bronze Art Walk
A self-guided tour of Joseph’s bronze art scene.
Photographs used for this page are all from Creative Commons unless otherwise noted. "Joseph, Oregon" by Sam Beebe is licensed with CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of these licenses, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.