Journey
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
BATES
operated from 1917 into
the 1960s.
Residents, friends and
family members continue to
gather at the site for bienni-
al reunions.
Bates State Park has
28 primitive campsites for
tents or self-contained RVs,
three of which are accessi-
ble to those with disabili-
ties. There’s a hiker/biker
camp area with six sites
and electric plug-in access.
No reservations are need-
ed; campsites are on a first-
come, first-served basis.
Other features include
fire rings, picnic tables, po-
table water, a day-use area
with a covered shelter and
vault toilets.
All you need to bring is
food, a book and, of course,
a camera.
The park is open from
May 1 to Oct. 31.
Continued from Page C2
The park makes a great
base camp for adventurous
jaunts in just about any di-
rection, such as a drive on
County Road 20/Middle
Fork Lane, along the lazy
and winding Middle Fork of
the John Day River. Bates
is also surrounded by three
wilderness areas — Straw-
berry Mountain, Monument
Rock and North Fork John
Day.
The nearby hills were
prime gold mining area,
and the remnants of sev-
eral old towns — Galena,
Susanville, Greenhorn and
Whitney — are also avail-
able for investigative ex-
ploration just a short drive
away.
Two nearby bicycle
routes, the Old West Sce-
nic Bikeway and the Trans-
America Trail, also make
Bates State Park popular
with cross-country cyclists.
The park, which opened
in 2011, is one of the new-
est in the Oregon State Park
system. Its very existence
C3
Eagle photos/Cheryl Hoefler
A friendly flock enjoys the sunshine at Bates Pond.
is due in great part to the
perseverance and hard work
of many former Bates resi-
dents who were determined
that the memory and history
of the close-knit mountain
community not be lost.
Interpretive
signs
throughout the park depict
and describe the logging
history and lifestyle of the
company lumber town that
The most valuable and respected source of
local news, advertising and information
for our communities.
eomediagroup.com
It’s a
D IRTY S HAME
Restaurant & Saloon
Bates State Park, about 17 miles north of Prairie
City, is one of the newest gems in the Oregon State
Park system.
P r airie H ar dware
& G ifts
Trails from up on the hillside provide scenic views
of Bates Pond and the state park beyond.
and tourist information center
Food • Drinks • Pool Table • Dance floor
Tues-Sat 3pm-close • Family friendly ‘till 8pm!
145 E Main St., John Day • 541-575-0365
How to get there:
From Prairie City, head east on Highway 26 about 15
miles. Turn left on State Route 7, and left again just past
mile post 1 onto County Road 20/Middle Fork Lane. The
entrance to the park is about a 1/2 mile ahead on the left.
For those traveling from the Dale/Ritter area, it’s about 40
miles from the junction of County Road 20 and Highway
395 down to the state park. County Road 20 is paved and
easily accessible in good weather.
124 W Front St., Prairie City • 541-820-3739
(Hold 10 guests each)
Clyde Holliday State Park
31 RV or tent sites with
electric, flushing toilets,
shower, water & hiking
MT. VERNON, OREGON
2 miles east of Mt. Vernon •
541-932-4453
541-575-2831
For all of life’s emergencies, trust
Blue Mountain Hospital,
quality healthcare close to home.
THE
LANDING LODGE
Family Owned and Operated
No matter how minor or major your
emergency may be, we have the
resources to serve you. From quality
around-the-clock emergency room
and inpatient care to quick outpatient
services, we’ve got all of your health
care needs covered.
Lab • X-ray • Ultrasound • CT & MRI •
Birthing Rooms • Surgery • Ambulance
5 star sit-down restaurant replacing the Snack Shack
Prime rib every Saturday night (call for reservations)
Perfect place to take a drive and spend some time with
family and enjoy some great home-style cooking!
Sunday Breakfast Buffet: $8.95
Senior Special: $6.95
Mon-Sat: 8 am-8 pm
Sun: 8 am-6 pm
71000 East Morphine Ln., Heppner • 541-969-3822
For camping reservations call 541-989-8214
Blue Mountain
Hospital District
170 Ford Road, John Day
541-575-1311