Little Minam River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Minam River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Little Minam River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Union |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Wallowa Mountains Cartwheel Ridge, Wallowa–Whitman National Forest 6,799 ft (2,072 m) 45°14′28″N 117°35′24″W / 45.24111°N 117.59000°W |
| River mouth | Minam River near Backbone Ridge 3,396 ft (1,035 m) 45°24′02″N 117°40′18″W / 45.40056°N 117.67167°W |
The Little Minam River is a small river located in Oregon, a state in the United States. It flows through Union County. This river is a branch, or tributary, of the larger Minam River.
The Little Minam River starts in the Wallowa Mountains. Its journey begins at the base of a place called Cartwheel Ridge. From there, it flows mostly north. The river travels through the beautiful Wallowa–Whitman National Forest. Finally, it joins the main Minam River near the north end of Backbone Ridge.
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Fun Activities Along the River
The area around the Little Minam River is a great place for outdoor fun. You can find places to camp and trails for hiking or riding horses. These spots are managed by the United States Forest Service.
Moss Springs Campground
The Moss Springs Campground is a good place to stay overnight. It's about 9 miles (14 km) east of a town called Cove. The campground is open from August through December each year.
You can set up tents or park trailers here. There are also special spots for people camping with horses. The campground has toilets and picnic tables. However, remember to bring your own drinking water, as none is available.
Moss Springs Trailhead
Near the campground is the Moss Springs Trailhead. This is where many trails begin. These trails let you explore the forest around both the Minam River and the Little Minam River.
The trailhead is about 15 miles (24 km) from Union and 34 miles (55 km) from La Grande. It usually opens by June every year. Like the campground, it has parking and a toilet, but no drinking water.
Rivers and Streams Joining the Little Minam
Many smaller streams flow into the Little Minam River. These are called tributaries. They join the river as it flows from its start to its end.
- From the left side (if you're looking downstream), you'll find:
- Dobbin Creek
- Fireline Creek
- Horseshoe Creek
- Threemile Creek
- Huckleberry Creek
- Big Canyon
- Grouse Creek
- Black Creek
- From the right side, you'll find:
- Grizzly Creek
- Boulder Creek
