Let me just start by saying it's a drive, but it's worth it. Just stunning views. It was about an hour and a half from Joseph. Apple Maps* doesn't actually take you to the right spot (see my maps screen shot). I think Google maps is more accurate. Just keep following the road signs and you'll find it though! Amazing views and definitely worth the drive. There's public bathrooms (don't expect too much) and plenty of parking. There's only two, but we found an open picnic table and hung around with some wine for about an hour. No garbage cans so be prepared to take back what you bring with you. I would recommend taking snacks to picnic and make the most of it since the drive is long and windy. read more

Hells Canyon Overlook - Apple Maps screen shot. Blue dot is where the overlook actually is. Roughly 30 more minutes. - Parks Near Me - Imnaha, Oregon

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Hells Canyon is a dramatic feature housing the Snake River along the Oregon/Idaho border. It's very well known for fishing and whitewater recreation. There are a couple of ways to experience Hells Canyon - you can drive down the canyon itself, take a boat tour past the dam (where the road ends), or you can head up into the Wallowas and score some spectacular views from up top. This is that up-top spot. To get to the overlook be ready to go deep up the National Forest Service roads. Mostly gravel. Take NF 39 off of State Route 86, and then turn up NF 490. This will take you close to the wilderness area and into gorgeous mountains studded with stands of evergreens, alpine meadows, and, at the right time of year, tons of wildflowers. The Wallowas are considered one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon... but that's a story for another review. This overlook is fairly primitive but has everything you need to take in the 270-degree panoramas from this vantage. Picnic tables, toilets, a parking area, and a small trail out to where you get the best views out over Hells Canyon. While the views from up here are expansive, they don't really do the canyon justice. It's hard to see deep down into the canyon from here. But that said, the views are still great. We visited in late June on a hot, early-summer year, so the wildflowers were in full effect at this location. Tons of delicate alpine flowers. So pretty! The interpretive signs give you some good info on the geography of the area as well as info on the local wolf population. So cool to be in the area where these endangered animals still roam. Coming from Portland, I hear about the gray wolves from time to time on NPR. It's great to be out where they actually might pass by every once in a while. It's a strong punctuation on the remoteness of the location. After soaking in views and catching a picnic here, you can continue on NF 490 to complete a loop down the NW side of the Wallowas into Wallowa lake and Joseph, a path we followed, which offers a ton of great gravel-road driving. Insane alpine views, sweet untouched air, and deep green solitude. I highly recommend taking this byway. A much more interesting way to get from nowhere to nowhere. The road less traveled. read more

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Got to see a great view with lots of wildflowers!