Visit Us
Visit the Homeland
Open sunrise to sunset every day of the year, this 320-acre piece of the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland is a beautiful place to explore. Designated areas are available for camping, and visitors are welcome to enjoy the hiking trails or walk the grounds while listening to the audio tour. Some facilities can be reserved for gatherings and events.
The Homeland grounds feature lush Wallowa River frontage and bottomland, rimrock bluffs, and grassy uplands, with spectacular views of the mountains and traditional Nez Perce summer camping and grazing areas. As part of our nonprofit mission, we open this land to the public, and we thank visitors for respecting the land and honoring the guidelines that protect it.
Visitor Center
From time immemorial the winding waters, grasslands and forests of Wallowa have provided a bounty of sustenance. Learn more about the people of the Wallowa country and Nez Perce culture today at our downtown visitor center. Explore photos and artifacts, maps and art. A miniature tipi, activities for kids, and informative videos offer something for everyone.
Take the Audio Tour
This 60-minute audio tour serves as a guide to the grounds of the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland, introducing the Indigenous culture, history, and practices that have shaped this land for generations, despite a history of displacement.
The tour includes:
Nimíipuu words and phrases
The ceremonial longhouse and its significance
The dance arbor where the annual Tamkaliks Celebration takes place
How Nez Perce people developed exceptional horsemanship and the Appaloosa breed
The cultural importance of First Foods like salmon, water, and berries
How current restoration efforts are strengthening the Wallowa River ecosystem
An overview of the Exile of 1877 and its lasting impacts
Though designed to be experienced on the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland grounds, this audio tour still offers a wealth of history and cultural context for visitors who have yet to join us in person.
Click below to listen on your device or scan the QR code to listen on your smartphone.
Explore Our Grounds & Facilities
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Longhouse
A spiritual gathering place, the Longhouse is dedicated to the practice of traditions native to the people of the Columbia River Plateau and can be reserved by Native community members.
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Historic Farmhouse
Cozy guest lodging for Nez Perce and other tribal visitors, offering affordable accommodations in a comfortable, home-like setting.
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Camping
The Homeland offers designated campsites for tent and car camping, RVs, horse trailers, and tipi camping. Seasonal showers and year-round pit toilets are available.
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Dance Arbor
With shaded seating for hundreds, the Arbor is the home of the Tamkaliks Celebration and also serves as a site for community gatherings throughout the year. It is available to be rented to the public for select events and educational activities outside of Tamkaliks weekend.
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Commercial Kitchen
With an industrial gas range, reach-in cooler, triple sink and is full stock of pots, pans, and kitchen tools, our commercial kitchen is available for community use at Homeland events and can also be rented for other public events.
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Trail & Gazebo
This three-mile loop summits Tick Hill with an optional detour to an overlook and gazebo. Soak up the view of the entire Wallowa Valley all the way to the moraine at Wallowa Lake, including the confluence of the Wallowa & Lostine Rivers.
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Horse Corrals
A circular exercise pen and six open-air stalls (two horses per stall) are available for visitors who bring horses to the Wallowa Homeland. Riding on nearby trails is permitted when conditions allow.
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Footbridge
A series of historic steel-truss bridges span the Wallowa River, connecting the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland to the town of Wallowa. This enhanced pedestrian route has been designed as a bridge between communities and is open to the public.
Directions
From Pendleton:
• Take I-84 East to LaGrande
• Take Exit #261 into LaGrande; turn right onto OR-82
• Follow directions for Wallowa Lake
• Drive 45 miles and into the town of Wallowa
• Veer left onto Whiskey Creek road just after passing through downtown Wallowa (instead of following the curve of the highway to the right and out of town)
• Cross the railroad tracks and the Homeland site entrance is to your left
From Lewiston:
• Take WA-129/OR-3 to Enterprise
• Turn right on OR-82
• Follow OR-82 for 18 miles, through Lostine, to Wallowa
• Take a hard right on Whiskey Creek Rd shortly after entering the town of Wallowa (before entering downtown/Main Street)
• Cross the railroad tracks and the Homeland site entrance is on your left