Welcome to beautiful Union County, Oregon! Snow-capped mountains, vast forests, churning rivers, rocky cliffs, sage-covered hills, fertile farmlands, and friendly towns: Union County has them all!

Early emigrants following the Oregon Trail passed through our picturesque valley and rested at the present-day site of La Grande before climbing the Blue Mountains towards what was being promoted as the "land of milk and honey" in the Willamette Valley.

Nestled at the feet of the Blue Mountains on the edge of the fertile Grande Ronde Valley, La Grande is a pretty town with lots to offer travelers. With a population of just over 12,400, La Grande is the largest city in Union County and is the county seat. The community is friendly, casual, and has its own brand of sophistication, due in large part to the presence of Eastern Oregon University. The surrounding national forests, lakes, and rivers provide some of the best biking, hiking, skiing, fishing, snowmobiling, camping, and sightseeing opportunities in the state.

All of northeast Oregon's most popular visitor attractions are within easy reach of La Grande and Union County's smaller communities. The historic Elgin Opera House, the beautiful Oregon Trail Interpretive Park at Blue Mountain Crossing, and the Union County Museum with its wonderful "Cowboys Then & Now" exhibit are just minutes away from your hotel room. The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Wallowa Lake State Park, Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, and the Wild Horse Resort and Casino are each less than 90 minutes from La Grande.

A wide variety of visitor services are available in the city, including facilities for conferences and group tours.
La Grande has shopping venues for all tastes, from unusual boutiques, to antique shops, to national discount chains. The attractive downtown and the University provide a level of entertainment and culture not usually seen in communities of this size.

We're ready to serve you with big-town choices and small-town smiles! For more visitor information on La Grande and Union County, please call the Union County Tourism office at 800-848-9969, or email us!

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