Umatilla Rim Trail

Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains

45.7066, -118.0377 Map & Directions

Length: 13.5 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain: 2,050 feet
Highest Point: 4,450 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty: Hard

Umatilla Rim Trail. Photo by Terry Hikes. Full-size image

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This trail is located in the Umatilla National Forest in Oregon, but is close enough for a day hike from Washington. The route is a thru hike in the Blue Mountains. Continue reading

Wildflowers/Meadows

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest Pass

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Hiking Umatilla Rim Trail

This trail is located in the Umatilla National Forest in Oregon but is close enough for a day hike from Washington. It is a great option for exploring different sections of the Blue Mountains. The entirety of the trail can be done as a thru hike or you can hike different sections as out-and-back day hikes.

The eastern end of the trail is at the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead, but there are many other access points since the trail skirts several forest roads. One other popular trailhead is the Ninemile Trailhead. The trail follows the boundary of the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness on a circuitous path, running through several meadows along the way. It is open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, but if you cross the wilderness boundary you must leave your bike behind.

Umatilla Rim Trail

Map & Directions

Trailhead

Co-ordinates: 45.7066, -118.0377 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

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Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest Pass

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

For Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead: From Walla Walla, head south on WA-125/9^th Ave. for 5.3 miles. At the Oregon border stay on this road, which is now OR-11, for another 12 miles, travelling through the town of Milton Freewater. Exit on the right for OR-204 and go another 27.2 miles from the exit. Turn right onto Forest Road 21 for 0.3 miles, then turn right on Forest Road 20 for another couple hundred feet to the trailhead. Start out on the trail signed for #3080.