Eastern Oregon

Eastern Oregon is a unique mix of cowboy culture, Native American tradition and pioneer spirit.  Stretching from the Snake River through the Painted Hills and John Day Fossil Beds, down to the Steens Mountain lava formations, Eastern Oregon boasts everything from the gold rush ghost town of Sumpter to the fertile wheat fields of the Columbia Plateau.

The region’s economy is primarily driven by the agriculture industry.  Eastern Oregon produces twenty-five percent of the nation’s onions and the arid climate is ideal for wheat growers.  Hermiston, Oregon, is known for its watermelons while Ontario, Oregon, grows potatoes and sugar beets. Eastern Oregon is also home to Pendleton’s world renowned Indian trading blankets.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (which is made up of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla people) is located in namesake Umatilla County.  The reservation regularly hosts “pow-wows” or celebrations that are open to the public and feature traditional dancing and drumming competitions as well as arts and crafts.

Eastern Oregon is home to some of the most jaw-dropping attractions in the country.  Hikers have no shortage of sights to see in Eastern Oregon, including over 900 trails surrounding Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in the country.   Rodeo lovers should make sure they visit the Pendleton Roundup, one of the largest rodeos in the world, while history buffs can enjoy the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and the Tamástslikt Cultural Center.