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Ah Hee Diggings Interpretive Site

Sumpter, Oregon · Grant County · Facility

The Ah Hee Diggins Interpretive Site displays the mining efforts of Chinese miners in the late 1800s and the resulting hand-stacked rock tailings that can be seen from the Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway. Although the miners could not file their own claims, holders could sell or lease worked-out claims to Chinese owned comp…

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44.82869, -118.41461
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About Ah Hee Diggings Interpretive Site

The Ah Hee Diggins Interpretive Site displays the mining efforts of Chinese miners in the late 1800s and the resulting hand-stacked rock tailings that can be seen from the Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway. Although the miners could not file their own claims, holders could sell or lease worked-out claims to Chinese owned companies. To pursue their gold mining efforts, the miners muscled rock into piles across 16 acres of the valley to expose the streambed. They used gold pans, rockers and sluice boxes to extract the gold that was missed by previous mining operations from the sediment in the streambed.

How to Get There

From Baker City, OR, travel south on Highway 7 for 26 miles to the Sumpter Valley Highway (State 220); Turn right on the Sumpter Valley Highway and go through Sumpter towards Granite on Forest 73 (Elkhorn Scenic Byway) for about 20 miles; At Granite turn right on Forest Road 73 and travel 1.5 miles to the site. The site is adjacent to the Sumpter/Granite Highway, on the Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway.

Driving directions (Google Maps) →

Plan Your Visit to Ah Hee Diggings Interpretive Site

Heading to Ah Hee Diggings Interpretive Site? A few things to know before you go:

  • Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
  • Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
  • Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
  • Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation for Ah Hee Diggings Interpretive Site?

No central reservation system listed for Ah Hee Diggings Interpretive Site. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/237827) for the latest entry policy and availability.

How do I get to Ah Hee Diggings Interpretive Site?

From Baker City, OR, travel south on Highway 7 for 26 miles to the Sumpter Valley Highway (State 220); Turn right on the Sumpter Valley Highway and go through Sumpter towards Granite on Forest 73 (Elkhorn Scenic Byway) for about 20 miles; At Granite turn right on Forest Road 73 and travel 1.5 miles to the site. The site is adjacent to the Sumpter/Granite Highway, on the Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway.