Free shuttles will take Union County residents to Thunder at the Peak

Community Connection of Northeast Oregon will offer free shuttle service to Thunder at the Peak, giving Union County residents a way to reach Buffalo Peak Golf Course without fighting holiday traffic, crowded parking or the steep hill into the event area.

Pickup begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Union County Senior Center, 1504 N. Albany St. in La Grande, and dropoff begins at 7:00 p.m. at Buffalo Peak Golf Course in Union. Once riders arrive in Union, a separate local shuttle will move passengers up and down the hill to the event area, with boarding available at Union City Park or Old West Federal Credit Union. After the fireworks, one bus will return riders to La Grande and another will take passengers back down the hill into Union.

The service is first-come, first-served, and Community Connection is urging riders to arrive early because space is limited. This year’s setup uses two buses, with room for up to 24 passengers plus two to four wheelchair or walker spaces, depending on the size of the mobility devices. Riders are asked to bring only drinks with screw-on lids and to keep bags and backpacks small enough to fit on their laps or between their feet instead of in the aisle or on a seat.

Thunder at the Peak is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Buffalo Peak Golf Course. The Union County Chamber of Commerce says the evening will include vendors, food, family fun and one of the region’s premier fireworks shows as part of Union County’s celebration of 250 years of American independence. The fireworks are set to begin at dark, which has typically meant around 9:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The shuttle matters in a county where Buffalo Peak sits about sixteen miles southeast of La Grande and where the road, the parking lots and the hillside viewing area can quickly become barriers for people trying to attend a major holiday event. It also gives seniors, families with children and residents without reliable transportation a practical way to take part without having to drive home after dark.

Community Connection of Northeast Oregon serves Union, Baker, Wallowa and Grant counties and says its mission is to advocate for and assist people by providing pathways to stability with individualized services and resources. The organization also says riders should check schedules and alerts, since routes and funding can change, a reminder that the holiday shuttle fits into a broader regional transit role rather than a one-night exception.