Tis The Season! For giving and sharing fun with family and friends. Railrider gift certificates are guaranteed to bring a smile.
2020 Season
OPEN May 16th – October 4th
Thursday – Monday (5 days a week)
Departures at 9am, Noon, & 3pm
We are CLOSED Tuesday and Wednesday
CHOOSE FROM TWO, FOUR OR SIX HOUR ADVENTURES
How about an Eastern Oregon Trifecta. I dare you to pedal all three options in one week.
Remember to bring plenty of water, a light jacket or sweater if needed, sun protection i.e. sun hat, sunscreen, umbrella for portable shade, etc. There is no water refill at our midpoint in Enterprise so bring enough to last your trip. NO COOLERS PLEASE
We offer drinks, snacks, hoodies, and lots of other goodies for sale. Be sure to check out our souvenir shop at our departure site.
Our Joseph departure site is located at 501 W Alder Street, Joseph. At the base of the white grain silos on the right. Look for the long white tent and yellow signs.
Enjoy the unique experience of pedaling the inactive portion of the historic Joseph Branch Railway in Oregon’s beautiful Wallowa Valley. Nature enthusiasts, birders, cyclists, and rail fans are sure to relish the peace and tranquility of one of two tour options or perhaps both. Learn more About Railrider Cycling or visit our FAQ page.
We do not allow animals to ride with you on your adventure. This is per the railroad rules and beyond our control.
For the safely of our guests the maximum weight allowed is 280 pounds per person.
PLEASE READ & REVIEW the information provided on this website to ensure you fully understand the adventure you are taking on before booking.
OPTION ONE – JOSEPH TO ENTERPRISE ROUND TRIP
- DEPARTS FROM JOSEPH
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2 hour, 12 mile round trip departing at 9 AM, Noon, & 3 PM
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Tickets: $26/Guest 12+, $16/Guest under 12
Infants 0-3 months may ride in a chest carrier.
Children 4 months and older require their own seat. -
The tracks trek through forest and farmland, over creeks and marsh, with the majestic backdrop of the Wallowa Mountains
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Great for guests of all ages, with the youngest in car seats. Typically (depending on leg length) children age 8 and up can reach the pedals to help and younger children are just along for the adventure.
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It is important to understand that Railriding is an outdoor physical sport that does require effort to complete. You will be exerting yourself at an altitude of 4150 ft. This is not an automatically propelled train ride. You will pedal and propel your individual Railrider. Pedal assist from the guide is available upon request, you’ll let them know day of. (We do this using an electric motor. You must be able to and continue to pedal during the assist. It is not a push. It is designed to lighten the burden of pedaling for only a limited few Railriders at a time)
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Please read the additional details for option one below, and visit our Joseph Trip page to learn even more about this trip.
OPTION TWO – MINAM TO WALLOWA ROUND TRIP 5 hr PEDAL
OUR ULTIMATE PREMIER ADVENTURE!
- DEPARTS FROM MINAM
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6 hour including a 1 hour lunch break, 26 mile round trip, Departs at 9 am and typically returns before 3:30 pm
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The tracks carve you through scenic timbered canyons along the magnificent Wallowa River as well as beautiful farmland with expansive views of distant mountains
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Great for guests seeking a longer trip for a peaceful adventure, it’s a gentle grade & a great way to spend more time on the rails. There is no pedal assist on this trip.
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Tickets: $60/Guest – 48 hour advanced reservations required
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Please read the additional details for option two below, and visit our Minam Trip page to learn even more about this trip.
OPTION THREE – RIVER RUN FROM MINAM TO RONDOWA 4 hr ROUND TRIP
OUR BRAND NEW SCENIC ADVENTURE!
- DEPARTS FROM MINAM
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Up to 4 hour, 20 mile round trip, with a brief stretching break in Rondowa. Departs at 9 am and typically returns around 1 pm
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This brand new trip takes you away from it all. You’ll carve your way through scenic timbered canyons along the magnificent Wallowa River. There is no cell service throughout your entire trip, what a great way to escape! Sit back and take in the sites and wave at the river rafters. It’s a relaxing adventure if there ever was one.
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Great for guests seeking a longer trip, it’s a gentle grade & a great way to spend more time on the rails. There is no pedal assist on this trip.
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Tickets: $60/Guest – 48 hour advanced reservations required
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Please read the additional details for option three below, and visit our Minam Trips page to learn even more about this trip.
Booking A Reservation
Please book your reservation online when possible. This is the most convenient method for booking. If you require assistance with our online reservations please email jbrailriders@gmail.com. We will reply to your message during business hours. We are closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Same Day Joseph Availability
Reserved tickets have priority. Our rides fill up quickly. Onsite ticket sales are limited to seat availability.
Please call 541-786-6149 (leave a message if you don’t reach us, it may take several rings to reach our voicemail. We will reply to your message during business hours.) or visit our ticket office at least 25 minutes prior to your desired departure time.
Our office is located at 501 W Alder St, Joseph, Oregon. Google Maps is the best option to find us, note – you cannot drive through the rodeo grounds. We’re located at the end of W Alder St. at the base of the tall white grain silos. We have a green Railriders directional street sign at the corner of W Alder St. Once at the end of W Alder St look for the long white tent on the right hand side. Same day and future tickets may be purchased at this location.
Additional Trip Details
OPTION ONE Joseph to Enterprise 2hr Round Trip Please be sure you understand this is indeed a physical adventure. With a leisurely pace most guests are able to pedal the average 1.5% grade back up to Joseph. However if needed your guide can provide a pedal assist by request to a limited number of Railriders on your return trip, you’ll tell your guide day of. You will be required to continue to pedal but the assist will lessen the challenge. It is not a push. Keep in mind that you will be exerting yourself at a higher elevation than you may be used to. Joseph is 4150 feet above sea level. It’s a good idea to conserve your energy to Enterprise and pace yourself on your return to Joseph. Setting a comfortable pace, pedal rhythm, and taking brief rests are key to keeping the return leg fun and enjoyable. You will be victorious upon arrival.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult on their Railrider. Young children may not be able to provide much help with pedaling if their legs aren’t long enough. We can usually get them close enough to touch but not always to pedal. The typical age to be able to help is around 8 years old depending on leg length. Smaller children who can’t touch or are known to be a wiggle worm are best to use a car seat. Most of our Railriders seat 2 guests. We do have limited 4 seat Railriders reserved for families with small children, due to weight limitations we typically do not seat four adults on our 4 seat Railriders. Please email us if you would like to request a 4 seat unit for your family. 4 seaters will be utilized on a first come basis if not reserved ahead of time or will be used by those determined it will benefit the most at the discretion of your guide.
We do our best to keep family groups closer together but this does not always happen. Please keep in mind that there is usually 25 yards or more between the Railriders during the ride and there really isn’t any way to “stay together”. So if there ends up being other parties separating your group it really wouldn’t make a difference either way. It’s best to enjoy your ride with those on your Railrider and share your experiences with the rest of the group when you regroup at our midpoint and the end of the ride.
Visit our FAQ page for answers to common questions. We encourage packing light (the less you bring the lighter your railrider will be and it will make it less of a burden to pedal). You are able to hang a backpack on the back of your seat if needed. Each seat has two cup holders that fit most 20 oz water bottles. Remember to bring water, weather gear (sunscreen, umbrella, hat, jacket, etc), a camera, and your adventurous spirit. NO COOLERS PLEASE CLICK HERE for specific details about this adventure and to learn more about things to see and do in Joseph.
JOSEPH CHECK-IN: *** If you have prepaid please arrive 20 minutes prior to your departure.*** (25 minutes prior if your party requires the use of your car seat)
We will leave at our scheduled departure time. If you arrive significantly early you will have to wait until everyone else arrives before we depart. For your comfort we recommend arriving on time per the guidelines above.
If you have NOT PAID for your reservation please visit us at our Office at 501 W Alder Street in Joseph 25 minutes prior to your departure or anytime throughout the day prior to your departure if you would like to get your payment and paperwork out of the way.
OPTION TWO Minam to Wallowa 5hr Pedal Round Trip The route is a gentle 1% average grade up to Wallowa and then back down to Minam. Option two is designed for those guests seeking to spend more time on the rails. This trip is very peaceful and not terribly challenging. A guide will travel with your group, they generally pedal by themselves. There is NO pedal assist on this trip. Setting a comfortable pace is key. You will have a 1 hour lunch break in Wallowa making your total trip about 6 hours long. Purchase lunch at a quaint eatery or pack a picnic lunch. This trip is a MUST do adventure! CLICK HERE for specific details about this adventure and a list of things to see and do in Wallowa.
OPTION THREE Minam to Rondowa 4hr Round Trip Pedal down 10 miles through a scenic rock rimmed canyon along the Wallowa river to the confluence with the Grande Ronde river. You will pedal across the bridge at what once was the location of logging town of Rondowa. You will have a brief stretching break in Rondowa as your guide turns you around so you can make your way back to Minam. Keep a look out for old abandoned orchards, wild flowers, eagles, pelicans, swans, and old growth ponderosa pine groves. The gentle grade is doable for most folks of average fitness, setting a comfortable pace is key. Watch as water lovers float the free flowing Wallowa river. What a great way to enjoy the river without getting wet. This is must do adventure and great for couples, families, and large groups. Choose your season from a rushing river, spring wildflowers, warm afternoons and fall colors. There are no services in Rondowa (this was a tiny town at one time but is now wilderness area). You will need to bring all the water, a small lunch, and/or snacks you will need. CLICK HERE for additional details about this adventure.
We welcome large groups; families, business team building, special interest, schools etc. Visit our Reservation Info & Policies page for details regarding our reservation system and our cancellation policies.
More Railrider Cycling Adventures:
VANCE Creek BRANCH of Shelton, Washington. Explore the lush mossy and fern filled forests on a 14 miles round trip adventure. Grand opening May of 2018 visit vcrailriders.com to learn more.
Also check out our, OREGON COAST BRANCH. Pedal at Bay City and Wheeler for a pedal powered excursion over estuaries, numerous historic rail road trestles and farm land. Ideal way to check on the shore birds. You will find a taste of the Oregon Coast on the inactive portion of the Port of Tillamook Railroad. Be sure to check out the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad train that travels North of Garibaldi. www.oregoncoastscenic.org/. Oregon Coast Branch, http://ocrailriders.com