Spring Adventures Await at Anthony Lakes Recreation Area in Union County

Oregon's highest ski base opens daily for spring break

At 7,100 feet, Anthony Lakes holds the highest base elevation in Oregon, and that distinction pays off every spring. The resort opens daily March 23-27 for spring break, with the last day of the 2025-26 winter season set for Sunday, April 5. For Union County families and visitors from across Eastern Oregon, that window is the clearest shot at uncrowded alpine terrain before the mountain transitions to its summer life of paddleboards and hiking boots.

Downhill skiing and snowboarding

Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort sits inside the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and punches well above its size. The resort runs lifts from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the mountain itself offers serious variety: the runs are situated on slopes facing east and north, and during winter they aren't exposed to snow-melting sunlight for very long each day, which helps the snowpack hold deep into spring.

The terrain layout covers 1,000 acres and 21 runs ranging from 900 vertical feet to over a mile and a half long, served by three lifts: a triple chair, a surface rope tow, and a magic carpet for beginners. The difficulty split skews toward advanced skiers, with 42% of runs rated expert, 38% intermediate, and 20% beginner. Lift tickets are available online, and kids six and under ski free. Skiers ages 70 and over also ski free.

Spring break camps

For families with younger riders, the spring break camp is the headline offer. "These five-day, all-inclusive camps are open to skiers and snowboarders ages 7-18. Each participant receives five consecutive days of lift tickets, rentals and a morning lesson — an ideal way to build skills and confidence on the mountain." Spring Break Camp 2026 registration starts from March 23 in the resort's online store. Contact the resort at (541) 856-3277 or visit the lessons portal to secure a spot before the season closes.

Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and backcountry access

Anthony Lakes Nordic is a destination in its own right. The system includes 30 km (18 miles) of groomed, track-set trails and a 1.3-mile snowshoe loop, making it one of the most extensive Nordic networks in Eastern Oregon. Riders can catch the Rock Garden Triple Chair for downhill lines, then explore breathtaking scenery on 30 km of groomed and track-set Nordic trails. For those who want to go further, bookable snowcat trips provide access to 2,000 acres of pristine backcountry beyond the ski area boundary.

The Taste of Nordic

The 12th annual Taste of Nordic took place on Sunday, March 22, at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort. Vendors offered a variety of food and beverages, priced by tokens, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and participants could ski, snowshoe, or even walk the trails in this family-friendly event. Vendors for 2026 included Barley Brown's Brewpub, The Cabyn, Campbell's Catering and Sweets, Eastside Bakery, The Laurel Cocktail and Board Bar, Liberty Theater Cafe, North 7 Brewing, Prodigal Son Brewing, The Rustic Nail, Side A Brewing, The Depot, and Tiger Town Brewing. The event has become a signature feature of the resort's late-winter calendar; watch the resort's events page for future editions.

The lodge and après-ski

"The resort's large ski lodge serves breakfast burritos and daily lunch specials fireside, with a sundeck perfect for après-ski relaxation." When the sun drops, the Starbottle Saloon pours local brews and hosts live music. The combination of a fire-warmed lodge, a working saloon, and a sun-soaked deck makes the base area a destination even on rest days.

Getting to Anthony Lakes

The resort address is 47500 Anthony Lakes Hwy, North Powder, OR 97867.

From Baker City: Head north on Highway 30 toward Haines, approximately 10 miles. In Haines, turn left and follow the Anthony Lake Highway signs, which become Forest Road 73, for 25 miles to the Anthony Lake Recreation Area. Turn left into the campground. The main campground is on the east side of the lake.

From La Grande: Head south on Interstate 84 for 25 miles to exit 285 in North Powder, Oregon. In North Powder, follow the ski area signs on Highway 237 for 4 miles to Ellis Road. Turn left on Ellis Road and go about 1 mile to the Anthony Lake Highway. Turn right and follow the Anthony Lake Highway (becomes Forest Road 73) for 16 miles to campground entrance on your left.

Coordinates for the campground: 44.962512, -118.228574.

Camping at Anthony Lake

Anthony Lakes Campground is the largest of the three campgrounds in the Anthony Lakes Recreation Area. Located directly adjacent to Anthony Lake, it offers spectacular views of Gunsight Peak and the Elkhorn Mountains, with popular activities including fishing, canoeing, day hiking, photography, and just relaxing. Located nearby are Anthony Lakes Picnic Area and Boat Launch.

"None of the sites offer lake views, but campers can enjoy gazing on Gunsight Mountain and the surrounding peaks of the Elkhorn range." Sites sit among boulders and mixed conifers on a bluff over the lake. "At an elevation of 7,100 feet, this campground keeps cool in the summertime heat." The USDA Forest Service lists the campground's seasons of use as July through September.

Each site includes a paved parking apron, tent pad, picnic table, and campfire ring with grill. Overnight fees are $12 per night for a single site, $20 per night for a single RV site, $6 per vehicle per night for an additional vehicle, and $100 for a group site. Holders of an Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Access Pass, Golden Age Passport, or Golden Access Passport receive a 50% discount, subject to the concession operator's policies.

Accessible sites and accessible toilet facilities are available. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

First-come, first-served sites and yurts

If you prefer to keep your options open, a significant number of sites are available without a reservation:

• Drive-In RV Sites (first-come, first-served): 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 21, 23, 25, 27
• Walk-up Tent Sites (first-come, first-served): 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and site 0

Two named yurts are also available: Yurt 40, known as the Hoffer Yurt, and Yurt 8, the Gunsight Yurt. Contact the campground team at (541) 894-2332 or campgrounds@anthonylakes.com for yurt availability and reservation details.

Note on potable water: The campground operator's website indicates that drinking water is available during peak season, while the USDA Forest Service page states that potable water is not available at the main campground site. Before your trip, confirm current water availability directly with the campground at (541) 894-2332 or campgrounds@anthonylakes.com, and check Recreation.gov for any active alerts.

On the water and on the trails

Only electric motorboats and non-motorized craft such as canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and float tubes are allowed on Anthony Lake. The lake has fantastic fly and lure fishing and is open to canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, float tubes, and electric motor boats. Located on the eastern edge of Anthony Lake is a single-lane, concrete boat ramp. During warmer months, mountain bikers take to the trails for elevated climbs and downhill routes, and the network of day hikes around the lake and into the Elkhorn Range expands as snow melts from the higher elevations.

Nearby food, lodging, and services

Heading off the mountain, North Powder Cafe is the closest fuel stop, serving "bigger-than-your-face plates for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at this family-owned, uber-friendly spot." For lodging closest to the resort, Antone Creek Lodge offers a collection of outfitted cabins just down the road from Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, described as "a perfect sanctuary set in nature with the creek running nearby."

For a longer base in Union County, the Historic Union Hotel at 326 N Main St, Union (541-562-1200) offers a central location. Dining options spread across the county include LJ Brewskis at 267 S Main St, Union (541-562-6286) and Cove Drive-In at 702 Main St, Cove (541-568-4764). Day-trippers looking for additional activities will find Catherine Creek State Park on Medical Springs Hwy in Union (800-551-6949), the Union County Museum at 331 S Main Street (541-562-6003), and Buffalo Peak Golf Course at 1224 E Fulton Street, Union (541-562-5527) within easy reach.

Key contacts

• Resort main line: (541) 856-3277
• Campground questions: (541) 894-2332 or campgrounds@anthonylakes.com
• Reservations: Recreation.gov

With the season's final lift day arriving April 5, the spring break window at Anthony Lakes is short and genuinely uncrowded. During one of the worst winters in decades for ski businesses across the West, Anthony Lakes has fared well compared to many resorts forced to close due to lack of snow — a testament to that 7,100-foot base and the east-and-north-facing terrain that keeps the mountain cold and rideable well into spring.