On a trip out to Eastern Oregon, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a completely different state. Where the west side is dominated by tall trees and majestic waterfalls, the eastern side is a land of hardscrabble hills, small towns, and evidence of the state’s gold mining past.
Nestled along the mountains of the Elkhorn Range, you’ll find a town that is a living embodiment of Eastern Oregon’s past.
This small mountain hamlet, which is home to only a couple hundred people, offers a glimpse into how gold fever swept the area and also how quickly it died off once the gold was gone.
This town is Sumpter, Oregon.
About Sumpter
Sumpter’s early history played out like many gold boom towns in the West. After gold was discovered and a railway put in that connected the town to nearby Baker City, the population of what before was just a jumble of cabins in the mountains exploded to over 2,000 residents.
With banks, saloons, electric lights, a newspaper, and more, the town quickly turned into a legitimate city that was pumping out an impressive amount of gold.
Today, only a few of the town’s original buildings remain, as many were destroyed by a massive fire.
One of the biggest attractions in town that still remains is the massive gold dredge that reshaped the landscape along the Powder River.
Operating in one form or another for nearly four decades, visitors can’t help but notice the massive piles of tailings that line the river up and down the valley.
It is this history, along with the town’s picturesque setting, that draws in visitors looking to get off the beaten path and discover long-forgotten parts of Oregon’s past.
Things to Do in Sumpter
Sumpter and the surrounding Elkhorn Mountains offer up no shortage of things to do. From experiencing the history right in town to riding the antique railway to exploring the ghost towns that dot the hills, Sumpter is an incredible place to visit.
Tour the Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge
There is no denying that the Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge had the largest and longest-lasting impact on the valley.
The dredge ran 24/7 non-stop for nearly twenty years and chewed up an 8-mile stretch of the valley floor in search of gold.
Today, the dredge sits within the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area and is open to visitors from spring through fall. Rangers also hold tours every weekend and are well worth it for the history you’ll learn.
Also, within the park, you can walk the 1.5-mile trail that winds its way through the tailings or take a free gold panning lesson to try and strike it rich yourself!
Ride the Sumpter Valley Railroad
It was the narrow gauge railroad, built in the early 1900s, that transformed Sumpter from a remote outpost to a legitimate gold rush town.
While much of the track was left in disrepair once the gold boom was over, a portion has been rebuilt, and today, visitors can ride a real steam locomotive as it embarks on a 7-mile journey along the valley floor.
You can even book a ride with the conductors inside the engine, although space is limited, so make sure to sign up early!
Explore the Area’s Ghost Towns
Like many gold rush areas around the West, there is no shortage of ghost towns in the hills surrounding Sumpter.
Some of these towns have fallen into complete disrepair, with the only signs being piles of boards where cabins once stood. Others, though, are still home to a handful of residents and offer a nearly perfect glimpse into what life may have looked like a century ago for prospectors hoping to strike it rich.
Some of the must-visit ghost towns include Granite, Bourne, Greenhorn, and Whitney.
Go on an Off-Road Adventure
The hills around Sumpter contain hundreds of miles of old roads, some relatively drivable and others nothing more than old trails through the brush.
A great way to get out and explore this land is on an ATV.
Stop in at the Sumpter RV park for advice on local trails, rentals, and places to have fun in the mountains.
Where to Stay in Sumpter
Despite Sumpter’s small size, there are still plenty of places to shack up for the night during your visit. A handful of motels and B&Bs provide rustic accommodations that perfectly fit the town’s old Wild West feel.
The most popular lodging options in town are the RV parks and campgrounds. There are three RV parks right in town to choose from and numerous campgrounds to both the east and west of town that offer campsites along Phillips Lake or further up in the hills of the Elkhorns.
