• What To Do
  • Hiking/ Biking

    The Umatilla Rim Trail (#3080) is a choose-your-own-adventure type of trail. There are a handful of access points thanks to a number of trail intersections. We like to start at the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead and end ten miles down the trail at the Ninemile Trailhead, which provides an easy to find and convenient pick up point. If your cardio is on point, take the trail back ten miles to the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead. You could also ride Summit Road two miles back to HWY 204, and turn left and ride along HWY 204 for 3/4 of a mile to the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead. The shoulder is actually quite wide along the highway, which makes the effort much less intimidating.
    
    Roughly 1.5 miles before exiting at Ninemile Trailhead, or 1.5 miles into the trail if you choose that as your starting point, you will cross the Nine Mile Ridge Trail (#3072). That trail enters the Wilderness area so only foot traffic and horseback travelers may use it. If you are looking for a longer ride, you can continue past the Ninemile Trailhead to the junction with the Lake Creek Trail (#3079) roughly four miles further, which is where the Umatilla Rim Trail officially ends. Once on the Lake Creek Trail, it is half a mile to the Lake Creek Trailhead on NF-035. It is possible to continue past the Lake Creek Trail junction if you choose. Continue west along the Buck Mountain Trail (#3075) for a few more miles before it crosses into the Wilderness area. If you are on wheels, you will have to backtrack.
    
    Consider downloading the Motor Vehicle Use Map. This part of the forest is reflected on Maps 13 & 14. The Avenza Map app is also quite helpful as users can upload three maps (or unlimited with a subscription) within the app to use offline. It can track your location offline and overlay your location on the map. Most of the intersections along the trail are not clearly marked, which is why this tool is so helpful.

• What To Expect

  There are lots of options and details associated with this trail due to its length and intersection with so many other trails. To simplify, we recommend starting at the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead and simply start walking or biking. The forest starts to open up after a few creek crossings, and there is a wonderful meadow about three miles down the trail. Recreate for as many miles as you please and turn back. Once you are familiar with the area, and since the Horseshoe Prairie and Ninemile Trailheads are so close to each other, consider using a buddy system for convenient transportation. Because it is so close to town, it is easy to play outside for a while and still complete a few chores at home. Accessing the trail via the Ninemile Trailhead is equally as nice, and actually might provide more open viewscapes within the first few initial miles. The Ninemile Trailhead is not the start of the Umatilla Rim Trail. To head toward the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead travel north, which is straight, from the trailhead.

• When To Go

  Being atop the Blue Mountains, this trail opens when the snow melts in late spring or early summer. The trail may be a bit muddy post snow melt, and there are a few creek crossing that may still be flowing. Plan on getting wet and muddy if you are an early goer.

• How To Get There

  Please do not solely rely on Google Maps as their route might not always reflect what is maintained.
  
  Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead From Walla Walla, take HWY 11 south through Milton-Freewater, OR. Travel another five miles and turn left on Winn Road. Follow this little backroad for two miles and then turn left to connect with HWY 204. Travel east on HWY 204 for approximately 26 miles to the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead on your right (NF-050), directly across the highway from Andies Prairie Sno-Park. Travel up the gravel road a short distance and turn right on NF-020; it is the first road to the right. There is a parking area across from the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead.
  
  Ninemile Trailhead To start at the Nine Mile Trailhead take HWY 11 south passing through Milton-Freewater, OR and continue for five miles then turn left on Winn Road. Travel another two miles and then turn left onto HWY 204. Take HWY 204 east for approximately 27 miles and turn right on Summit Road / NF-31. Continue for three miles and turn right on NF-287 at the sign for Umatilla Rim Trail (#3080).

Please do not solely rely on Google Maps as their route might not always reflect what is maintained.

• Your Public Lands

  Umatilla National Forest (Walla Walla Ranger District)

• Distance:

  Within 1.5 Hours

• Difficulty Level:

  Day Tripper, Adventurer

• Seasons:

  Spring, Summer, Fall

• Elevation:

  4,700 - 5,200 feet

• Pets:

  Yes

• Reservations:

  N/A

• ADA:

  No

• Multi-Use:

  Yes

• Motorized Vehicles :

  Yes

• Fees

  None

• Permits

  None

• Regulations

  This trail borders the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness area and intersects other trails that go into the Wilderness area. Only foot traffic and horseback are allowed to cross this boundary, so please be mindful of this fact based on how you are recreating in the forest. For a complete list of wilderness regulations visit the Umatilla National Forest website.
  
  Motorized vehicles: Class 3 ATV (motorcycles) only. Must have current ORV registration (WA, ID, CA tags honored) and ATV safety card (motorcycles are a class III ATV). Safety cards are free online if over age 16 and those are good for life. Riders under 16 must take a hands on course. Full details at the Oregon Online ATV Safety Education Course website.

• Amenities

  No amenities available. Pack in and pack out. Leave no trace!