Summer Recreation in Sumpter Oregon



sumpter valley dredge in sumpter oregon

The Sumpter Valley Dredge is nestled at the base of the majestic peaks of the Elkhorn Mountains. This centerpiece of the state park left much of the rock piles known as "tailings" that can be seen as you drive into Sumpter. Dredging left about 1600 acres of rock piles in the Sumpter Valley. The Sumpter Valley Dredge is an important link to Sumpter's heritage of gold mining! You don't want to miss this historical treasure and landmark! This Yuba Style Dredge is one of the largest and most accessible dredges of it's type in the U.S. and rests where it stopped operating in 1954. During the Summer season, you can walk through the lower level of this dredge and visit the interpretive store too! The Sumpter Valley Dredge is open May 1st - Oct 31st There are no fees to visit this state park, which boasts several well-groomed, natural trails that surround the dredge in all directions. Trails cover the entire Oregon State Park, and are open in the winter -perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing - In the summer, enjoy walks through the historic dredge tailings, after you tour the Dredge! The Historic Sumpter Valley Dredge
is within walking distance of just about anywhere you stay in Sumpter!


SVRY Depot in Sumpter, Oregon

Sumpter Valley Railroad ~ Sumpter Oregon
Ride the Historic Narrow Gauge Steam Train and travel back to the days of steam railroading through the gold and timber country of the Sumpter Valley. Riders should always be on the lookout....desperados sometimes like to stage a train robbery on horseback! The Sumpter Steam Train runs every weekend from Memorial Day through September. You can board the train at McEwen or at the depot in Sumpter. Ride over 12 miles round trip through the beautiful Sumpter Valley and....past the Sumpter Valley Dredge as it arrives at the depot in Sumpter. Photographers....Ride the Fall Foilage Train in October and experience photo opportunities throughout the entire Sumpter Valley as it changes seasons!
Visit the Sumpter Valley Railroad for details.


sumpter flea market on mill st downtown

The Sumpter Flea Markets
Three times a year Sumpter is transformed into one of the largest Flea Markets in the Northwest! The first Flea Market is held on each Memorial Day Weekend. The next Flea Market is July 4th Weekend, followed by the last Flea Market of the season on Labor Day weekend. But the flea market is not all! Ride the Sumpter Valley Railroad, tour the Sumpter Valley Dredge, and visit Sumpter Museums - all in one weekend! The Flea Markets are popular, so be sure to get your lodging reservations well in advance and keep in mind that you will need a three day reservation in most cases! Be sure to bring plenty of cash because there are no banks or ATM's in Sumpter! ATV's are okay throughout town, speed limit is 15 mph and it's against state law to ride on the highway (mill st.) You can cross the highway, but you cannot ride North or South on it. And one more thing.....don't forget your umbrella!

riding an atv at the sumpter valley dredge

Off-road in Sumpter

All Terrain Vehicles ~ ATVS ~ Motorcross ~ Dual Purpose ~
Bring your favorite off-road vehicle to the Sumpter and enjoy the off-road trails winding through the Blue Mountains and Elkhorn Mountains. Stay in comfort in one of Sumpter's RV parks, campgrounds, motel, and many cabins. Explore the mountains on your ATV or Motorcyle in any direction from downtown Sumpter! ATV's are allowed on all the side roads in Sumpter..and are a favorite way to get around during the Flea Markets! Visit historical Sumpter attractions, explore the Gold Dredge State Park, and follow the OHV trails leading out of town over miles and miles of open trails through the mountains all summer long. Bring your family, or the ATV club to Sumpter for a fun weekend of riding in the mountains of Sumpter Oregon!

the sumpter museum and library

Visit the Sumpter Museum. Make the Sumpter Museum your first stop before you begin exploring our historic town! You'll find interesting mining exhibits and some old photos to get your historic juices flowing. Learn about the devestating fire of 1917, logging, the Dredge, Gold Mining, and more...! You can even find a souvenir in the giftstore to help remember your trip to Sumpter! In addition to all the history you'll learn, you can use the Sumpter Library too - All in one visit! The Museum and Library are in the same historic building! Surf the Internet, download your digital photos, read a newspaper, flip through a magazine...you can even use the wireless signal when the library is closed!library inside the sumpter museum building in sumpter oregon free internet access at the Sumpter LibraryThe Museum and Library is open daily all year - even in the snow! You can ride your snowmobiles, atvs, even ride the train! The train depot is only one block from the train depot and walking distance of most lodging in town.

Visit The Sumpter Library


elkhorn scenic byway

Elkhorn Scenic Byway
As you drive along The Elkhorn Scenic Byway, it will be easy to see why The Elkhorns are often referred
to as the "Alps of Oregon." Located west of historical Baker City, the Elkhorn Mountain range and the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, are packed with history, scenery, and recreation! Visit ghost towns, see historic monuments, and experience breathtaking scenery as you drive over the majestic summit of the Elkhorns, at 7,000 ft. This 3-5 hr drive has it all! The 106 mile loop takes you not only through the history of the gold rush days of Eastern Oregon........but you will experience a region packed with biological and geological treasures too! The Elkhorn Scenic Byway will bring you through Sumpter...where you will discover comfortable overnight lodging, restaurants, and plenty of historic treasures to explore! The best time to make the drive is between July and October, to ensure the roads are open. Enjoy the drive!


phillips reservoir near sumpter oregon

Wallowa - Whitman Forest - Phillips Lake
Covers more than two million acres and has 60 campgrounds and more than 1,700 miles of trails and includes the Hells Canyon Wilderness, the Monument Rock Wilderness, Eagle Cap Wilderness, the North Fork John Day Wilderness, the Minam River, rare wildflowers, alpine meadows, snowcapped peaks, Anthony Lakes and Phillips Reservoir. Phillips Reservoir, 25 miles West of Baker City, and Unity Lake, 45 miles Southwest of Baker City, both offer swimming, boating, fishing and camping. Camping is available at Union Creek Campgrounds or enjoy comfortable RV parks just 10 miles away in Sumpter Oregon and all its historic attractions! Enjoy a fun day of fishing, boating and swimming at the lake!



Cracker Creek Museum of Mining in Sumpter Oregon

Cracker Creek Museum of Mining
Watch the Stump Dodger rumble past as you browse through this outdoor museum. You will find an extensive collection of mining equipment from Sumpter's gold rush era! See the Historic Monighan Dragline, and enjoy the exhibits of Gold Mining Equipment on display. You'll discover this unique outdoor museum on the highway as you enter into Sumpter from Highway 7, just across from the Sumpter Valley Dredge. The Monighan has been around the Sumpter Gold Mining scene for a long time and is worth a stop as you come into Sumpter! You can walk through this outdoor museum anytime of the year ~ on your atv, snowmobile, snowshoes, or even your skiis! If you like history and gold mining, then this is a museum you won't want to miss! Like our other Sumpter Museums, this one is free too!

For a list of things to do within a day's ride of Sumpter.....Day Trips

Looking for more things to see in Baker County? Visit:  Base Camp Baker



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