town guide: Joseph, Oregon
The following town guide to Joseph, Oregon was written during the COVID-19 pandemic. Business hours are likely to change in the future as the pandemic abates.
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The town guide does not list every hiker-related business, especially in larger communities. Instead, it attempts to list a representative sample of businesses available. If a business is listing that you think should be included here, please let us know, along with other business changes, so we can keep these guides up to date.
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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
Address and Phone Number: 101 N Main Street, Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-3231
Hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday (closed Saturday and Sunday)
General Delivery Address:
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Joseph, OR 97846
Groceries
Market Place Fresh Foods
Market Place Fresh Foods is a full-service grocery. Website: http://www.marketplacefreshfoods.com
Address and Phone Number: 208 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-577-9090
Hours: 7:00 am – 9:00 pm 7 days a week
Cafes and Restaurants
Joseph has a number of cafe and restaurant options. Below are a few options:
Old Town Cafe
Old Town Cafe is a breakfast and lunch cafe with house-baked sticky buns and cinnamon rolls. Website: http://oldtowncafejoseph.com/
Address and Phone Number: 8 S Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-9898
Hours: 7:30 am – 2:00 pm Thursday – Tuesday (closed Wednesday)
The Gold Room
The Gold Room serves salads, wood-fired pizza, cocktails, beer, and wine using local ingredients. Website: https://goldroompizza.com/
Address and Phone Number: 100 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-2100
Hours: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Thursday – Sunday (closed Monday – Wednesday)
Embers Brewhouse
Embers serves burgers, pizza, and other pub grub. It has a large outdoor eating area and WiFi.
Address and Phone Number: 204 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-2739
Hours: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm 7 days a week
La Laguna Mexican Restaurant
La Laguna serves lunch and dinner, including appetizers, tostadas, enchiladas, vegetarian, burritos, cocktails, and more. They also sell their own house-made hot sauce and smoky oil sauce. Website: http://lalagunamexican.com/
Address and Phone Number: 507 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-0380
Hours: 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. Website: http://www.indianlodgemotel.com/
Address and Phone Number: 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. Website: https://www.kokaneeinn.com/
Address and Phone Number: 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. Website: http://www.eaglecapchalets.com/
Address and Phone Number: 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. Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=20
Address and Phone Number: 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
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. Website: https://sportscorral.com/
Address and Phone Number: 401 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-4363
Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm Monday – Saturday (closed Sunday)
Laundry
Joseph Laundromat
Website: https://www.facebook.com/josephlaundromat/
Address and Phone Number: 204 S Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-398-8302
Hours: 7:30 am – 7:30 pm 7 days a week
Showers
Showers are available at the Wallowa Lake State Park Campground.
ATM
Community Bank
Address: 609 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846
Library
Joseph City Library
Website: https://www.josephoregon.org/index.php/city-services/library
Address and Phone Number: 201 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-0141
Hours: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm Tuesday – Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday)
Fuel Canisters
Isobutane fuel canisters are available from The Sports Corral and Joseph Hardware.
Medical Services
Wallowa Memorial Medical Clinic
Website: http://www.wallowamemorialmedicalclinics.org/
Address and Phone Number: 800 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-426-7900
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday
Winding Waters Community Health Center
Website: https://windingwaters.org/
Address and Phone Number: 401 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-426-4502
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday
U.S. Forest Service Offices
Eagle Cap Ranger District
Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman/
Address and Phone Number: 201 E 2nd St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-426-5546
Hours: 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. Website: https://ccno.org/publictransit/
Address and Phone Number: 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. Website: https://www.minamstore.com/shuttle
Address and Phone Number: 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. Website: https://joseph.doitbest.com/
Address and Phone Number: 101 S Main St, Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-2271
Hours: 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. Website: https://josephy.org/
Address and Phone Number: 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. Website: https://www.nps.gov/nepe/planyourvisit/visit-old-chief-joseph-gravesite.htm
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. Website: https://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. Website: https://josephoregon.com/joseph-or-events/artwalk
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/.