Visit Joseph Canyon Viewpoint

The canyon seen from this overlook was one of the winter homes of the Chief Joseph band of Nez Perce. Tradition holds that Chief Joseph was born in a cave along the east bank of the creek.

This page provides the information you need to plan your trip.

 

This is the sign at a highway pullout for Joseph Canyon Viewpont along Oregon Route 3.

NPS Photo

Getting to Joseph Canyon Viewpoint

The Joseph Canyon Viewpoint is at a highway pullout along Oregon Route 3, approximately 30 miles north of Enterprise, OR, and 11 miles south of the Washington border.

Location:

• Latitude/Longitude for Highway Pullout:
  45°50'7.69"N 117°15'47.44"W

Driving to Joseph Canyon Viewpoint

From Enterprise, Oregon turn north off U.S. Highway 82 onto U.S. Highway 3/First Street. Go 30 miles on U.S. Highway 3 towards Lewiston, Idaho. The entrance to the highway pullout is on the right.

Things to do at Joseph Canyon Viewpoint

Explore the Site

Joseph Canyon is privately owned. However from the Joseph Canyon Viewpoint, you can view the impressive scenery that was once the winter homes of Chief Joseph's band of Nez Perce. Joseph Creek that runs through the canyon is designated a wild and scenic river. The viewpoint includes interpretive signs of the canyon and the role it played as the winter homes of the Chief Joseph band and their journey from the area in 1877. There are also accessible vault toilets and RV and truck trailer parking.

Nearby Amenities

The Joseph Canyon Viewpoint is located approximately 68 miles south of the Nez Perce National Historical Park's visitor center where further information is available.

In addition, Travel Oregon has a trip planning website for the state of Oregon and the Washington Tourism Alliance has a trip planning website for the state of Washington that will help you locate hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and other amenities near the Joseph Canyon Viewpoint.