In eastern Sherman County, the deep canyon of the John Day River forms the boundary; in the west, it is the canyon of the Deschutes River. To the north, the Columbia River marks the county line. The pastoral landscape offers views of canyons and rivers, with mountains outlined on the horizon. In Sherman County, expansive vistas meet distinctive river landscapes and places with a history of their own.

History You Can Read in the Buildings

The Sherman County Historical Museum houses a historic exhibit featuring the complete equipment of a printing shop used to print the local newspaper. The Sherman County Visitor Center is located in the museum's entrance area. The exhibit offers a glimpse into a specific part of local life: newspaper production.

Built in 1882, the John and Helen Moore House is the only Italianate-style residence in the region. Its surviving details include hand-painted interior transom windows and wood grain. The Sherman County Courthouse was built in 1899 and is an example of restrained Queen Anne architecture. The two buildings offer architecture enthusiasts distinct stylistic features that can guide a tour through the county's architectural history.

DeMoss Springs Park also brings together architectural and landscape history. Its grounds are home to a bandstand built in 1924; in 2007, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The park also provided access to a natural spring.

Rivers and Trails, Each Offering a Different Perspective

The rivers also offer different recreational opportunities: windsurfing is popular on the Columbia River in Sherman County, the John Day River offers black bass fishing, and the Deschutes River is suited to whitewater rafting. Small game hunting is also possible in Sherman County's vast open landscapes. The region's character is shaped not only by its river canyons, but also by the range of activities on the water and in the open country.

Macks Canyon Recreation Site has a campground and boat ramps on the east bank of the Lower Deschutes River. The access road is also a National Back Country Byway. Macks Canyon is also the name of a large prehistoric settlement site overlooking the Deschutes River in north-central Oregon. LePage Day Use Park has a boat ramp, a dock, parking, and restrooms. Phillip Park can be reached by boat from LePage Park.

The trails also vary in length and form. The Des Chutes Railbed Trail is 23 miles long and non-motorized. The Deschutes River Trail offers a 26-mile round-trip bike ride along the river's east bank. The Ferry Springs Trail is a 1.3-mile singletrack trail that climbs to the canyon rim. Alongside the long non-motorized trail and the bike loop, this shorter trail with its climb to the canyon rim offers another point of comparison.

Simple wooden posts mark the hiking section of the Oregon Trail between Biggs Junction and Fulton Canyon, or Highway 206. The Journey Through Time Scenic Byway offers another point of reference for planning a drive: it begins in Biggs on the Columbia River and follows US-97 between the canyons of the Deschutes River and the John Day River.

Agriculture and Trip Planning

The annual Sherman County Fair continues to celebrate the county's agricultural abundance and is its largest annual event. Award-winning cakes and pies are also part of the fair. The event complements the region's nature and architecture with a glimpse into Sherman County's agricultural heritage.

Reservations for LePage Campground are available through Recreation.gov; check availability and the booking process there for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Wasco, Moro, Douglas, Morrow County, Lane, Klamath County, Harney County, Union County.

For the main travel overview: Oregon.