The United States Congress designated the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness Area in 1984 and it now has a total of 20,435 acres. For a complete listing of public laws and further information on district offices, click here. About the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness Instead of rising into high peaks to offer a somewhat unique Wilderness experience, the gently sloping hills of North Fork Umatilla Wilderness fall into extremely steep, timbered canyons below a high plateau. Down along the river you'll probably feel more isolated than the small acreage of the area would indicate.
Vegetation ranges from juniper and sagebrush to fir, spruce, pine, and western larch.
Elevations drop from 6,000 feet to 2,000 feet in a relatively short distance to provide a substantial physical workout. The North Fork Umatilla River supports large runs of anadromous fish, including steelhead, a major force in pushing for designation of this area as well as an attraction to anglers. Several streams are home to native trout. Hunters come for big-game animals, including a fairly large population of Rocky Mountain elk. Here in the northern Blue Mountains the weather tends to change radically and unpredictably any day of the year, but snow usually melts by early spring.