WILDLIFE
With Grant County’s abundant wildlife population, chances are you can spot wildlife
anywhere. However, for a truly special experience, here are some hotspots.
WILD HORSES
Murderers Creek- Deer Creek Guard Station
From John Day, travel south on Highway 395
approximately 17 miles to County Road 63 (Izee High-
way). Take County Road 63 to the junction of Forest
Service Road 24. Take Forest Road 24 approximately
10 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 514. Travel
about 1/4 mile staying to your right until you reach the
locked gate that allows entry to the facility grounds.
ODFW PHOTOS
BEAVERS
Magone Lake Trail #352
From the town of Prairie City, travel west 3 miles to
the junction of County Road 18, turn north on
County Road 18, follow County Road 18 approxi-
mately 13 miles to the junction with Forest Road
3620. Follow Forest Road 3620 approximately 2 miles
to the junction with Forest Road 3618. Turn west
onto Forest Road 3618 and travel approximately
1 mile to the Magone Lake Day Use Area.
Drive, hike or ride in the surrounding area to increase
your chances of seeing wild horses.
WINNIE BROWNING PHOTO
ANTELOPE
Bear Valley
Travel south from John Day on Highway 395
approximately 22 miles to County Road 64. Drive
west on County Road 64. County Road 64 turns into
Forest Road 24. Continue on Forest Road 24 to
County Road 63 (Izee-Paulina Highway). Turn left on
the Izee-Paulina Highway to return to Highway 395.
Turn left on 395 to return to John Day.
BIGHORN SHEEP
McClellan Trailhead
From John Day, travel west approximately 18 miles
on Highway 26 to the junction with Forest Road 21.
Drive south on Forest Road 21, approximately 4.5
miles to the junction with Forest Road 115. Proceed
east on Forest Road 115 approximately 1/2 mile to
the junction with Forest Road 2160. Travel south on
Forest Road 2160 approximately 1/4 mile to the junc-
tion with Forest Road 2160-041. Continue traveling
south on 2160-041 to the trailhead.
DEER
Malheur River Trail #303
From Seneca, follow Forest Road 16 approximately
14.5 miles to the junction with Forest Road 1643. Fol-
low Forest Road 1643, approximately 9 miles to the
junction with Forest Road 1651, turn left onto Forest
Road 1651, continue for 0.9 miles to the trailhead
(Keep an eye out for deer when traveling on roads
throughout the county).
ELK
Vinegar Hill-Indian Rock Scenic Area
Blackeye Trail #243
From the town of Prairie City, travel east on US Highway
26 approximately 13 miles to the junction with US High-
way 7, at Austin Junction. Follow US Highway 7 for one
mile to the junction with County Road 20. Follow
County Road 20 for approximately 2.5 miles to the junc-
tion with Forest Road 2010. Follow Forest Road 2010 for
approximately 8 miles to the junction with Forest Road
2010219. Forest Road 2010 is accessible but is under
maintained; parking is limited and not available for stock
trailers. It is recommended to drive a high clearance
vehicle on this road.
MOUNTAIN GOATS
BIRDS
Big Creek Campground
In the town of Prairie City, turn on South Main, then
turn left onto Bridge Street. Follow Bridge Street up
and over a hill, this road will become County Road 62.
Follow County Road 62 approximately 19 miles to the
junction with Forest Road 16. Turn West onto Forest
Road 16, follow for approximately 6 miles.
Strawberry Mountain Wilderness
Meadow Fork Trail #376
From Prairie City, turn onto South Main Street. Follow South Main Street to the junction with Bridge Street. Turn left
onto Bridge Street and continue past the cemetery. The road then becomes County Road 62. Follow County Road
62 approximately 20 miles to the junction with Forest Road 16. Go west on Forest Road 16 approximately 6 miles to
the junction with Forest Road 924. Follow Forest Road 924 for approximately 1.5 miles to the junction with Forest
Road 1648. Follow Forest Road 1648 approximately 0.5 miles to the junction with Forest Road 021. Follow Forest
Road 021 approximately 1.5 miles to the junction with Forest Road 039. Follow Forest Road 039 to the trailhead.
44 | OFFICIAL GRANT COUNTY VISITOR GUIDE 2015 | MyEagleNews.com