The Grande Tour begins and ends in La Grande, home of Eastern Oregon University. La Grande is the largest city in a three county area and serves as center for commerce, education, and state government.
Visitors drive through fertile farmlands, rugged sage-covered range lands and lush green forests.
Begin the Grande Tour at the intersection of Fourth and Adams Avenue in Downtown La Grande. From the parking lot of the visitor center, turn right onto Fourth Avenue and follow it up the hill to the intersection with C Avenue. Turn left and continue to the small parking lot of Birnie Park on the right side of the street. After seeing the memorial exhibit at Birnie Park, proceed on C Avenue which soon takes a bend and becomes Gekeler Road. Follow Gekeler about 1 mile and turn right onto Foothill Drive.