A trail-with-rail is a multi-modal pathway running alongside existing railroad tracks. The Joseph Branch Trail-With-Rail is intended to run alongside the Wallowa Union Railroad Corridor. The entire corridor is owned and managed by the Wallowa Union Railroad Authority, an ORS-190.083 intergovernmental agency. The railroad corridor is 63 miles long, connecting Elgin and Joseph, Oregon by following the paths of the Wallowa and Grande Ronde Rivers and bisecting the Wallowa Valley. The Joseph Branch Trail will run alongside the Wallowa Union Railroad Authority (WURA) railroad, allowing for continued use and aspiration for both multi-modal recreation and railroad operations along the WURA right-of-way. 

The trail is designed for people of all ages and abilities. Within city-limits of towns, sections will be ADA-compliant. Outside of city-limits the trail may be more rugged and may not comply with ADA regulations. The trail provides a relatively flat, accessible route for pedestrians, bicyclists, and horseback riders, offering a safe alternative to traveling along busy highways.

The trail is being implemented in stages actively moving forward! Currently, sections of the trail are open and available for use within the cities of Elgin and Wallowa, Oregon. The trail is designed primarily for local residents, with added benefits for health, safety, and small-town vitality. In 2026 ongoing construction in Wallowa, Oregon will double in length of the trail!

Additional trail sections are in various stages of planning, design, and fundraising.

This trail advocacy and construction project is a local, grassroots effort led by the Joseph Branch Trail Consortium (JBTC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Enterprise, Oregon. The JBTC works closely with local residents, governments, communities, and the Wallowa Union Railroad Authority to ensure the trail serves local residents well now and into the future. 

Visit the Our Team section of the website to learn more about our volunteer board and contracted staff.

Our federal non-profit EIN is 46-4553129.

The trail is non-motorized. Allowed uses include walking, running, bicycling, and horseback riding. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing will be possible when conditions allow. 

• E-bikes and motorized vehicles are not allowed

• Camping, fires, and smoking are not allowed

• Dogs must be leashed

Mobility devices used by people with disabilities are permitted.

These rules help protect neighbors, livestock, and the landscape. JBTC’s goal is a trail that reflects local values and serves the community for generations.

The project is funded entirely through grants and private donations. Funding comes from various state and federal sources, private foundations, and community supporters who value the mission to build this trail. No local property tax dollars are used.

Donor contributions directly support construction, fencing, weed control, signage, maintenance, and long-term stewardship.

No. The railroad tracks will remain in place. The trail will be built alongside the tracks within the existing railroad corridor. The Wallowa Union Railroad Authority has historically and does currently support the project. Rail based activities—including the Eagle Cap Excursion Train and the Joseph Branch Rail Riders Rail-Bike tour business—will continue as normal.

Yes. Trails-with-rails exist across the United States and are designed using established safety standards by the Federal Railroad Authority (FRA). The trail is and will be set a safe distance from the tracks compliant with federal regulations. Research consistently shows that these trails do not increase crime or trespassing in rural areas and often improve safety by increasing positive public use and oversight of previously unmanaged areas.

No. The Wallowa-Union Railroad Authority owns the entire WURA right-of-way. The trail will be built entirely within the existing railroad right-of-way, which is publicly owned. It will not cross into or require access through private property.

No. Experience from similar trails nationwide shows that well-designed, well-used trails reduce unwanted activity. The trail will include fencing where needed, clear signage, regular maintenance, and coordination with local law enforcement.

Rural trails experience improved cleanliness and safety once they are formally developed. The Joseph Branch Trail Consortium has a large volunteer base in place to monitor and clean trail sections regularly. 

The project includes fencing where needed, clear signage, designated access points, and trailheads placed away from sensitive areas. Privacy buffers such as vegetation or fencing can be added where appropriate.

Community input has been a core part of the Joseph Branch Trail project from the beginning. Since 2014, the JBTC has worked closely with local residents, adjacent landowners, community organizations, and partner agencies to gather feedback, answer questions, and address concerns.

The results of a public survey conducted in 2016 can be found at this link. The 2026 surveys were supported by the Wallowa Union Railroad Authority and Eastern Oregon University in conjunction with the JBTC. We are hopeful to conduct another study soon in 2026 or 2027 depending on funding and organizational capacity. 

Outreach efforts have included public meetings, open houses, surveys, walking tours, one-on-one conversations with adjacent landowners, and ongoing communication by mail, email, and in person.

This ongoing outreach helps ensure the trail reflects local values, addresses concerns around privacy, safety, and land stewardship, and becomes a long-term community asset that works well for everyone.

Landowners have been involved since the project began. Outreach has included public meetings, surveys, community dinners, site visits, walking tours, and one-on-one conversations. JBTC continues to listen, respond, and adapt the project based on local input. 

Benefits include better corridor management, improved fencing and weed control, cleaner ditches and culverts, and increased safety through regular use. Research from across the U.S. shows trails like this have neutral to positive effects on property values and are widely supported once built.

Oregon law provides strong protections for private landowners adjacent to public recreational corridors. The trail will remain within the railroad right-of-way, and clear signage will discourage off-trail use. Local law enforcement will respond to incidents on the trail as they do elsewhere. You can learn more about Oregon Recreational Laws at this link.

The JBTC sends a monthly e-newsletter to keep our community informed about project updates and ways they can support our trail-building work. Please Sign-Up Here!

Community members are encouraged to attend public meetings, reach out with questions, or support the trail through a monthly sustaining membership or one-time donation.

We understand that no FAQ can address every situation, and that projects like this can raise valid questions—especially for neighbors who live and work along the corridor. The Joseph Branch Trail Consortium is committed to listening, transparency, and ongoing dialogue.

Community input continues to shape how the trail is designed, built, and cared for. If something matters to you, we want to hear about it. Questions, feedback, and conversations help ensure the trail and the entire WURA railroad corridor reflects local values and remains a thoughtfully managed, long-term community asset.

The invitation for conversations with local residents, interested folks from afar, and especially adjacent landowners is always standing. Please contact Project Coordinator, Mary Hawkins, to schedule a meeting!