The Owyhee River
Eastern Oregon's Owyhee River is often referred to as Oregon's Grand Canyon. It begins in the mountains of Idaho and Nevada and carves out a steep canyon before it flows 400 miles before its confluence with the the the Snake River.
The Owyhee River offers hundreds of miles of river trips on the East Fork, South Fork, Deep Creek, and other tributaries that could be combined for a trip over two weeks, but most people opt for a 3-5 day trip on the Owyhee River below Rome.
The Lower Owyhee
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A trip down the Lower Owyhee begins at the launch site in Rome, Oregon. For the first six miles you'll flow through uneventful private farmlands before you enter the first narrow canyon. Here you'll get your first taste of spectacular scenery with vertical rock walls towering above the canyon.
Featured Owyhee River Outfitter
ECHO
River Trips (800) 652-3246 runs legendary five
day Owyhee River rafting expeditions
in early May oriented towards active adults.
Below this first canyon are many great rapids and wonderful camps. The
named rapids include Upset, Artillery, Whistling Bird, Montgomery,
and Morcum Dam. These are all fun Class III rapids and there are
many more great Class II and III rapids spread throughout this run.
When the road is open, most people take out at Birch Creek Ranch at mile 48. This is a steep rocky road that can be closed after rainstorms when the road is muddy. If this is the case you'll need to travel 17 more miles (including up to 10 miles on Owyhee Reservoir) to Leslie Gulch.
For a more difficult and scenic section of the Owyhee River consider the Middle Owyhee above Rome.
Owyhee River Resources
Owyhee
River Map (free download from BLM)- Owyhee River Shuttles (541) 586-2352
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