This trip is a photographers dream! Owyhee River Rafting The headwaters of the Owyhee River are in Nevada. Photo: Jim Little. We marveled at the hoodoos, basalt pillars and apartment building-sized rocks that defied gravity on the steeps. True, the ‘lake’ is dominated by fisher folk. The pristine waters flow freely through the basalt gorges, open badlands, and sagebrush valleys of the Owyhee Uplands, until they meet the Snake River waters on the Oregon-Idaho border. Pothole Arch (Mile 47.6) River left. Upper Greeley Bar (Mile 44) River Left, A Hot-springs wetland and campsite. This Owyhee rafting adventure is an experience like non-other. Campsite on river left is limited to 1 night stay. Topping off the jugs at Weeping Wall Springs. Can’t decide between jackets? Brent was raised in eastern Oregon. Balsamroot lit up the Owyhee’s rugged landscape. Within this gorge can be found extensive areas of rhyolite pinnacle formations known as “hoodoos." Make sure to check the USGS site for real time river data when planning your trip. There is a reason this tributary of the Bruneau has so often been likened to the Grand Canyon. Floating Through Nowhere on the Owyhee River Jim Little / 7 Min Read / Activism The Owyhee River flows 346 miles from northeastern Nevada before dumping into the Snake River on the Oregon/Idaho border. We soaked in one of the hot springs along the banks of the river, hiked to cultural sites adorned with ancient and unfathomable Native rock art and drifted by an old homesteader’s cabin. They’re hoping to permanently protect the area, either through an act of Congress or by the president. River and Whitewater information for Owyhee River - Middle (Three Forks to Rome) - United States Oregon . There aren't white-knuckle rapids," explained Ron Pribble, owner of Cascade River Runners, of floating the Lower Owyhee. Located in remote southeastern Oregon the Owyhee River offers an off the grid adventure through the high desert that you will not soon forget. Low water float trips are also possible in smaller craft. The Idaho Owyhee is a magical place which truly embodies what it means to be a Wild and Scenic River. The Lower Owyhee, headed north toward its confluence with the Snake River, is wild but a little mellower. Depending on the flow and section of river you choose to float there will be at least Class IV rapids, and there could be up to Class V+. We spent 7 days floating this spectacular ever changing river with my two friends from Idaho. We lived well on the river, despite mostly cold, windy and erratic weather. Bonnie, Rico, Kelley and Lawrence enjoy hanging out in camp on the afternoon of Day 3, below Montgomery Rapids. When the water clears and drops to lower levels, you can fish for smallmouth bass. During peak usage you are likely to find one or more of the camps you planned to stay at occupied. On a map of Oregon, it’s that mostly blank expanse in the southeastern corner of the state near the Idaho/Nevada border—a place most would call nowhere. Photo: Jim Little. © 2021 Patagonia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Vertical faces of rock, 300 to 1000 feet high, tower above the river. After flowing through Idaho, it crosses the Owyhee uplands of southeastern Oregon, eventually flowing into the Snake River. Highly knowledgeable and super passionate about the high desert, he makes regular visits to the Owyhee to float and camp, and spends more time than he would like in Washington, DC, advocating for its protection from mining and oil and gas development. Bighorn sheep, renowned for their surefootedness on high cliff ledges, were harder to spot, though a couple of hunters in our party managed to pick some out. Photo: Jim Little, And best not to lick the toads. Keep an eye out for nesting birds of pray high above on the cliffs. You get in the rhythm of being on the river and in the canyon, of At around mile 6 the river enters a canyon where the wind is typically less of a factor. Owyhee River fishing is really limited since we are there only during the spring high-water runoff. Overview:Located below the east face of Steens Mountain, Mann Lake attracts anglers as much for its remote, rugged splendor as for its ab... Jackman Park Campground is located on the flanks of Steens Mountain, within the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protective Are... Overview:South Steens Campground is located in the heart of Steens Mountain. 1984 brought protection to the Owyhee Wild and Scenic River. Create a free Patagonia account. Buy used, trade in and fix your gear through Worn Wear. Permits are self issued at the put-in and there are no assigned campsites on the Owyhee River. The Owyhee River flows 346 miles from northeastern Nevada before dumping into the Snake River on the Oregon/Idaho border. The Grand Canyon of Oregon. Two formidable portages keep most people out of this hard-to-access area. During periods of heavy rain the road may be impassable due to deep water. Featured Outfitter Northwest Rafting Company (541) 450-9855 is an award-winning group of professional, well-trained guides that lead people down … Most boaters typically arrange their vehicle to be moved from the put-in to the take out using a shuttle service. The river was flowing at 1,150 cubic feet per second when we put in, which was low—a level that required constant rowing in all but whitewater. Once the river drops below 1000 cfs the river becomes much more technical as the rocks start emerging in the middle of the rapids making the float more challenging. Both customers and guides who float through the deep “Grand Canyon-esque” gorges of this river come away changed from the awe-inspiring landscape. Sign up for exclusive offers, original stories, activism awareness, events and more. The wild Owyhee River whittles a dramatic, narrow canyon through the highlands of southern Idaho and Oregon, cutting through the rhyolite and basalt plateau as it has for millennia. it makes for quite the adventure. True, the ‘lake’ is dominated by fisher folk. The Owyhee River and its tributaries are located in the "Owyhee Volcanic Field," an area of volcanic activity from the Miocene Era (25 to 3 million years ago). The Owyhee is one of our favorite spring rivers and between the Lower and Middle Owyhee we run more trips than any other company. I visited in the early fall and there was one other car. adventures and follow local regulations. Photo: Jim Little. Logistics and weather can be a little tricky for this float but adds to the overall adventure. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. Just did this stretch for the second time. Sinking, sinking tip and other type lines could be used for specific applications. My son Drew is ready to roll at the Rome put-in for the Lower Owyhee River. This is an absolutely fantastic river trip due to some spectacular scenery and a few great Class IV rapids. I count myself among the fortunate few who have experienced the Owyhee’s beauty and deep solitude. This Owyhee kayak trip will flow through dramatic, multi-colored canyons, reminiscent of places like Bryce and Zion National Parks in southern Utah. Enters the Snake River near Nyssa Oregon. Trip leader Brent Fenty, executive director of the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA), had put together our float, inviting a couple of his close friends, ONDA supporters and staff, and me—a Patagonia employee from the marketing department on a company-sponsored environmental internship aiming to do what I could to help ONDA and others working to keep the Owyhee wild. 67 miles of the Owyhee River. The Owyhee, which was included in the National Wild and Scenic River Systems by Congress in 1984, is characterized by dramatic geologic formations! Visitors will marvel at the variety of birds and mammals, including river otters, bighorn sheep and golden eagles. Our group was obsessive in that regard, but a pair of Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers, who dropped by our camp to check permits and camp conditions, also floated the river to enforce the ethic at all camps. From its source in northeastern Nevada the Owyhee flows through southern Idaho and finally into Oregon. The first 5-6 miles of river are flat surrounded by farms and can be quite a bear if there is a strong upstream winds. The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge—site of a recent 41-day showdown between a group of armed, anti-federalist “occupiers” and the federal government—is the most recognizable nearby landmark for those who follow the news. Camping is first come first serve but depending on the time of year it won't be crowded at all. Iron Point Canyon (Mile 31-35) Deepest canyon section of trip made of red and gray rhyolite rock. Photo: Jim Little. Camping is limited to 1 night. Being early spring, the river canyon was full of flowering plants and animal life. Pruitt's Castle (Mile 24.75) A unique geological formation. Photo: Jim Little, Taking off the river’s chill at one of the hot springs along the bank. Our 6-day Owyhee River rafting trip is a guide favorite and an avid paddler’s dream trip though Southeastern Oregon’s Grand Canyon, combining sheer, plunging cliffs of dark amber, gold, ruby red and pearl with fun Class III rapids and excellent wildlife viewing. Within the canyon walls mountain juniper grows, as well as sagebrush, willow, hackberry and numerous grasses. There are signs of volcanic activity everywhere in this region, though multi-layered Chalk Basin also has interesting sedimentary features. The Big Wide Open The Owyhee Canyonlands is a vast landscape that embraces more than 3 million acres of public lands in Southwest Idaho, Eastern Oregon, and northern Nevada. Damage due to wear and tear will be repaired at a reasonable charge. Visiting it by river, accompanied by such a wonderful group of people while on the company dime, made it even more delicious. Additional Resources & River Maps Many of the people who see this landscape today do so by floating the Owyhee River. Orders are shipped within 1-2 business days and arrive within 3-10 business days. The trip itself is typically completed over 4-6 days by private groups as well as the many outfitters that offer fully guided trips. Snowpack information for the Owyhee River Basin in Idaho can be found on the USDA NRCS web site. THE LAST TIME I DID IT I DIDN'T SEE A SINGLE SOUL ON THE RIVER IN 2 DAYS. The river is named after Hawaiian trappers who headed downstream in the early 1800s never to be seen alive again. Floating the Owyhee is popular in the spring during higher water flows, and low water float trips are possible in smaller craft. This is a place with incredible scenery where floating through vertical walled canyons begins to feel normal. The only facilities are located at the put-in and take-out sites. This is the most dramatic area of hoodoo formations within the entire Owyhee River system. Our customer service team is here to help—the less unnecessary shipping, the better. Because we know prioritizing durability results in consuming less energy, wasting less water and creating less trash. Along this section of river you will pass some of the most unique geology and colorful rock formations, ancient petroglyphs, abandoned ranches, caves, wildflowers, river-side hot springs, and abundant wildlife. If you are using a screen reader and having difficulty please call us at 1-800-638-6464. Three Rivers Ranch is proud to offer Owyhee River Fly But running the Owyhee is more than just We stopped at Weeping Wall Springs to fill a couple of jugs before continuing downstream, camping on sand bars along the way. Learn more about our environmental and social responsibility program. The Owyhee River from Rome, Oregon to Birch Creek, Oregon is a 3 day float trip. Part of our segment on “packrafting” on the east fork of the Owyhee River. But the importance of protecting this incredible place, and others like it, lies more in the Owyhee’s value to the wild and increasingly threatened species that depend on it, than it does to visitors like me who come to raft, camp and hunt. Many of the people who see this landscape today do so by floating the Owyhee River. AWAY FROM EVERYTHING. There is an alternate takeout located at Leslie Gulch 15 miles further down river but it requires a 9 mile long flat water paddle on Lake Owyhee. So when our party of 12 put four rafts in at the Rome launch site in late April to row 48 miles of the lower Owyhee to Birch Creek, pent-up demand had filled the parking lot with boaters also eager for a taste. Lake Owyhee is actually a 53-mile long reservoir resulting from the Owyhee River dam. I've doneae this 2 times on a paddleboard. I think that when you decide to travel through Oregon, you anticipate a scenery that surrounds you in luscious green forests and crystal blue rivers that you cannot take your eyes off of. The river is perfect for taking in vast desert landscapes with steep-walled canyons and a very prolific river chock full of massive brown trout! The rapids of the Owyhee can be described as pool and drop with some fun bouncy wave trains when the flows are above 1000 cfs. Once the river drops below 1000 cfs the river becomes much more technical as the rocks start emerging in the middle of the rapids making the float more challenging. T... Weeping Wall (Mile 17.75) River left, coldwater springs dripping from a rock wall provide great location to refill water supplies, Ryegrass Hot-springs (Mile 23.75) River left, un-maintained hot-springs with small pool suitable for one person at a time. Plan for the spring run-off, water temperature, and weather to be variable and cold. 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