Overview
Baker City is a small city in Eastern Oregon located on the I-84 about 40 minutes south-east of La Grande.
5 sights · 7 things to do · 4 places to eat · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Baker City
The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
Informative and interesting. You can see the old ruts from the wagon trains on the hills near the museum. The Center is a National Historic Site and there is an entrance fee although National Park passes may be used here…
Baker Heritage Museum
Housed in the 1920 Baker Municipal Natatorium.
Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge/ State Heritage Area
St. Francis de Sales Cathedral
Anthony Lakes Ski Area
Some of the most powdery ski conditions in Oregon and is just 35 miles from Baker City. Also offers Nordic skiing in winter and mountain biking in summer.
The Powder River and Phillips Reservoir
Great fishing opportunities both in Baker City and nearby.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Dec. (climate data from nearby Boise)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PDT Eastern Oregon Regional Airport at Pendleton, Pendleton — 80 mi away. Directions
- MYL McCall Municipal Airport, McCall — 85 mi away. Directions
- BOI Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field, Boise — 116 mi away (major hub). Directions
Most people will arrive on the I-84 which runs from Portland through to Boise and beyond. Highway 7 runs west to John Day and Highway 86 goes east as the Hell's Canyon Scenic Highway.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Baker Heritage Museum, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral
- Lunch Barley Brown's Brewpub
- Afternoon The Powder River and Phillips Reservoir, Crossroads Carnegie Art Center
- Dinner El Eradero
Day 2
- Morning Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge/ State Heritage Area, Unity Lake State Recreation Site
- Lunch Paizano's Pizza
- Afternoon The Hells Canyon Scenic Highway, Miners Jubilee
- Dinner Mad Matilda's Vintage Market and Coffee
Day 3
- Morning Anthony Lakes Ski Area
- Afternoon Historic Building Walk
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Most people will arrive on the I-84 which runs from Portland through to Boise and beyond. Highway 7 runs west to John Day and Highway 86 goes east as the Hell's Canyon Scenic Highway.
See
Do
Do The Hells Canyon Scenic Highway
This is the southern end of the Hells Canyon Scenic Highway which follows Rte 86 east of town to the Snake River on the Oregon-Idaho border. The Scenic drive can be followed as a big loop around to Joseph and La Grande further to the north. Be aware that driving the entire loop may not be possible during winter as some roads are not maintained and can be blocked by snow. This situation may exist well into spring (ie: late April). Some of the roads traverse high terrain where winter snows may linger longer than you might expect.
Do Historic Building Walk
The town has numerous restored older buildings and there is a walking route around the downtown featuring many of these fine old structures.
Do The Powder River and Phillips Reservoir
Great fishing opportunities both in Baker City and nearby.
Do Miners Jubilee
Miners Jubilee is an annual festival in July that features a parade, bull and bronc riding, a showing of the movie Paint Your Wagons (filmed in Baker City), gold panning championships, and other exciting events.
Buy
Shop Bella
Little kitchen store with enormous wine selection, gifts, coffee bar, kitchen gadgets and more.
Eat
Eat Barley Brown's Brewpub
Has excellent craft beers and good food.
Eat Paizano's Pizza
Gourmet pizzas, huge stromboli, over 65 different toppings, excellent salads, over 30 beers available, TVs, sports. The dough is made in-house from an Italian yeast colony and gluten-free and keto options are available a well. Vegan cheese and sausage are also on the menu.
Eat Mad Matilda's Vintage Market and Coffee
Great coffee shop in a historic downtown building.
Sleep
Nearby
La Grande
City / town · 12 listings · 40 mi away
Huntington
City / town · 6 listings · 40 mi away
Joseph
City / town · 33 listings · 50 mi away
Enterprise
City / town · 10 listings · 52 mi away
John Day
City / town · 13 listings · 60 mi away
Ontario
City / town · 17 listings · 67 mi away
Payette-Fruitland
City / town · 4 listings · 70 mi away
Pendleton
City / town · 29 listings · 77 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.