Group Visits

Please call us to schedule your commercial tour group or classroom group as soon as you know the dates and times of your visit. You may also e-mail your group visit request.

To make the most of your group’s time while visiting, we highly recommend you call ahead. This will ensure our staff is prepared to handle your group’s needs.

  1. Call Ahead: To make the most of your group’s time while visiting, we highly recommend you call ahead. This will ensure our staff is prepared to handle your group’s needs and will get your group listed on the reservation schedule. Planning ahead will help your visit run smoothly! Please call or e-mail as soon as you know dates and times of your school or commercial tour group visit. If you find it necessary to cancel or change the date of your group’s visit, or anticipate that you will be arriving earlier or later than originally scheduled, please call with as much advance notice as possible.

  2. Policies: Please review our Group Use Policy (PDF) to determine what regulations might apply to your group.

  3. Parking: The visitor loading area has space available to accommodate several sizes of vehicles, including a large motor coach. For bus and coach parking over the duration of your visit, Parking Lot #2 is recommended.

  4. Commercial Tour Groups: The fee for a commercial tour groups are $5.00 per person (one guide and one driver/coach are free). We accept cash, checks, money orders, traveler’s checks, or Visa or MasterCard. No foreign currency accepted. No Federal Passes are honored when participating in a commercial tour group, including Senior Passes.

  5. Groups of 10 or more: Organized group activities of ten or more people may qualify for the group rate, or may require a Special Recreation Permit. Bona fide educational groups are entitled to free entrance to the Center and its facilities. Please read our policy and definitions (PDF) for more information on planning an organized group activity, reserving the picnic shelter, using the theater, or other special group use.

  6. How much time should we plan for? The exhibits are self-guided and include interactive displays and several short interpretive videos. Plan a minimum of one hour to thoroughly tour the exhibits. Plan additional time if your group will take in a theater program or outdoor event.

  7. How long to get to walk the trails? The Center has 4.2 miles of interpretive trails. For a group walk to the wagon ruts, plan an additional one hour and 45 minutes round-trip for the hike. Appropriate attire (sturdy shoes, rain gear, sunscreen, etc.) and water bottles/canteens are recommended.

  8. Accessibility: The Center’s facilities meet ADA standards.

  9. Food: No food or drink is permitted inside the Center. A picnic shelter is available on a first come/first served basis. Vending machines are available at the picnic shelter during summer months. Lunch facilities are available in Baker City, about five miles from the Center. For more information or assistance arranging for catered meals, contact Baker County Visitors and Convention Bureau.

  10. Smoking: Due to high fire danger, smoking is not allowed anywhere on the Center’s grounds, except for within enclosed vehicles.

  11. Pets: Pets are not permitted inside the Interpretive Center. Elsewhere on the site, pets must be leashed and attended at all times; owners are responsible for pick-up and proper disposal of pet waste. Service dogs actively performing tasks for persons with disabilities will be allowed inside the facility

  12. Other services: Additional guided tours or special activities for your group may be available by arrangement with our volunteer group Trail Tenders.