Number of Guests. Although the Owyhee holds plenty of big water opportunities, there are also plenty of calm stretches providing time for peace and solitude. Mile 23.75: Hot springs appear on the left. It is a place as beautiful as it is inhospitable. We run the lower part of the Owyhee River, 48 miles of Class III rapids from the town of Rome to Birch Creek. The river flows northwest, converges with the South Fork of the Owyhee, and eventually reaches Three Forks, Oregon. Northwest Rafting Company (541) 450-9855 is an award-winning group of professional, well-trained guides that lead people down the most beautiful rivers in the world. The river winds through a land of hot springs and hoodoos, of towering bluffs, and windswept plateaus, of jaw dropping beauty and awe-inspiring loneliness. reCAPTCHA helps prevent automated form spam. © 2021 Oregon's Owyhee Canyonlands Campaign. 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 Owyhee River is a 346-mile-long tributary of the Snake River that begins in northern Nevada and flows through southwestern Idaho, before finishing its route in Oregon. USGS 13181000 OWYHEE RIVER NR ROME OR. Going further involves crossing many miles of current-less reservoir to get to the next take out, Leslie Gulch, which is just past mile 67. Mile 38: Nuisance Rapid (III/IV) is a class IV at lower flows, and is followed quickly by Morcum Dam Rapid. Notable among the many stunning vistas are Lambert Dome in the Chalk Basin—composed of layers of reddish rhyolite and basalt—and Iron Point Canyon with its towering sheer walls. The Owyhee is one of our favorite spring rivers and between the Lower and Middle Owyhee we run more trips than any other company. Its headwaters are in northern Nevada and the river is 280 miles long. When the snowpack at Jack Creek Upper goest the zero, the river flow typically drops below 300 cfs. Great hiking. Available data for this site Click to hide station-specific text Station operated in cooperation with Bonneville Power Administration. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. Mile 13: Bulls Eye (III/IV) is the first major rapid encountered on the Lower Owyhee. Eventually, you will gain a ridge and take that back to the left to reach the top of the dome. Our Lower Owyhee river trip offers spectacular scenery, good whitewater, and the chance to visit a rarely seen part of the United States. Upper Owyhee (East Fork) The Upper trip begins on the East Fork of the Owyhee, accessed by way of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Idaho. Fishing the Owyhee offers remarkable chances to catch large trout on 4-6 weight fly rods on dry flies. The moderate climb to its summit is one of the best hikes on the Lower Owyhee. The Owyhee River Wilderness is located on the high basalt plateaus of Owyhee County in southwestern Idaho in the western United States.The wilderness area is named after and protects the upper Owyhee River, its tributaries, and the surrounding desert canyon landscape. Raft the Lower Section of the Owyhee Wild and Scenic River To anyone who knows rafting, the Owyhee River is definitely on their bucket list. Mile 43.5: Hot springs … Float slowly past the vast spires of Chalk Basin and Pruett’s Castle, dry lakebed sediment baked in layers like a prehistoric cake. The Owyhee is a major tributary to the lower Snake River , and before the construction of Owyhee Dam, 30-lb chinook salmon swam up the Owyhee to spawn in tiny tributaries winding through the sagebrush, including the river’s south fork. These are the last major obstacles boaters will encounter on the Lower Owyhee River. The high desert of Owyhee River Canyon offers an attractive set of outdoor adventures including hiking, kayaking, rafting, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and wildlife watching. The weather is … Available data for this site Click to hide station-specific text Station operated in cooperation with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Whitewater rafting is a popular recreational activity in this wilderness area. The extremely remote Lower Owyhee defies direct comparisons. Natural riverside hot Springs. The springs are situated on BLM land 12 miles below the Owyhee Dam and come with a big parking area, pit toilet, and picnic table. The Owyhee River is a rarely visited but mesmerizing river in its bizarre beauty, an unplucked jewel in itself. It is Oregon’s hidden gem. While inflatable kayaks can make the run down to base flows of only a couple hundred cfs, rafts will want to think twice, before putting on below 500 cfs. Just be sure to gather some information ahead of time and […] please call for this amazing trip option. The … You can take out at Birch Creek to avoid the flat water on the reservoir before getting to Leslie Gulch. In Owyhee country, the wilderness is a sagebrush sea. The Owyhee River’s brown trout fishing is so good this stream made our list of Best Fly Fishing Rivers in Oregon. It’s filled with class II, III and IV rapids including Montgomery and Whistling Bird. The Lower Owyhee River. Wild and rarely seen, it is a bizarrely magnificent place with jaw-dropping scenery. The river is a classic Momentum style adventure that highlights our guiding experience, expedition roots, and attention to detail and guest comfort. Other wildlife like beaver, otter, coyote, bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope might make an appearance, so keep your binoculars and waterproof case handy! Anyone planning a trip to the Lower Owyhee should be aware that temperatures can range from frigid to searing, and can be both in the same day. These are the last major obstacles boaters will encounter on the Lower Owyhee River. Scouting Whistling Bird Rapid on the Owyhee River. The extremely remote Lower Owyhee defies direct comaprisons. Mile 32.5: Montgomery Rapid (III/IV) is the longest and most technical rapid on the Lower Owyhee. Mile 31: Whistling Bird Rapid (III/IV) contains an undercut hazard that becomes more pronounced at lower flows. Mile 21: Read-it-and-Weep (III) and Artillery Rapid (III) occur in quick succession here. The most popular section is the Lower Owyhee, which runs 48 miles from the put in at Rome to Birch Creek Historic Ranch. Rainbow trout here can grow to 6 pounds with the average trout running about 12 inches. The weather is unpredictable. The Owyhee River is a tributary of the Snake River located in northern Nevada, southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon in the United States. Unless the road is washed out or closed, it is best to end your trip here. Mile 26.5: Lambert Dome comes into view on the left. Individuals, families and outfitters alike have come here to run the 67-mile stretch of river from Rome to Leslie Gulch. The Owyhee watershed would have provided the major source of water, fuel, food and protected campsites in the harsh environment of southern Oregon. This section is known for its big rainbows and browns. Mile 65: Alternate take out at Leslie Gulch on river right. - 10% off for youth 16 or under, and for groups of 10+ people | Any Specialty trip prices are noted below . Just around the corner, camps are located on either side of the river. Not being maintained, the pools are often muddy and do not have room for much more than one soaker at a time. The headwaters of the Owyhee River are found in Elko County in northeastern Nevada. At its heart, the river forms a sinuous 346 mile long oasis stretching north from the edge of the Great Basin to the Snake River. There are several opportunities to camp within the towering walls of this scenic stretch of river. The Lower Owyhee Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (OR-3-110) is located in Malheur County approximately 4 miles northwest of Rome, Oregon. Follow a well worn trail up a slot canyon, passing through vivid layers of ancient lake sediment along your way. Gleaming basalt bluffs cascade down to desolate, soft beaches speckled with the lure of undiscovered gemstones. Despite the dry surroundings, numerous springs along the way like this one give plenty of chances to stock up on water. The ten miles below the Owyhee Reservoir between the dam and Snively Hot Springs is a well known tailwater trout fishery. Mile 43.5: Hot springs appear on the left. Owyhee River Wilderness Area BLM manages more than 267,000 acres of public lands in the Owyhee River Wilderness. The season is short on this section like the other Owyhee sections since this is a snow and spring fed river. An Oregon Treasure Carved by desert rivers winding toward the Pacific, Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands is the last great unprotected expanse of the American West. Stays here are limited to one night. Its craggy red-rock canyons, blue-ribbon trout streams and rolling hills make up a diverse wild land nearly the size of … The lower Owyhee is nearly to the Idaho border. Both customers and guides who float through the deep “Grand Canyon-esque” gorges of this river come away changed from the awe-inspiring landscape. Though it is typically not much trouble for experienced rafters, provided there are no swimmers, inflatable kayaks and hardshells may want to scout the best route. At lower flows it is a Class IV, with a rock at the bottom that can create problems for heavier boats. Peak rafting season is in the spring and early summer months, when the water levels are highest. The Owyhee Canyonlands is a huge and remote area of eastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho and northern Nevada. The Owyhee River is a tail water fishery and home to one of the most incredible brown trout fisheries in North America. Even the largest brown trout, can be very active surface feeders. There is a reason this tributary of the Bruneau has so often been likened to the Grand Canyon. The Lower Owyhee River Rafting Trips 5 days. Mile 49.5: Birch Creek Take Out is on the right. April 2016. Snowpack information for the Owyhee River Basin in Idaho can be found on the USDA NRCS web site. The river winds through a land of stark contrasts, with hot springs and hoodoos, towering bluffs and windswept plateaus. Hidden within this vast high desert plateau are deep canyons carved by the Owyhee, Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers. Flow from 1600-1400 cfs. We break the Owyhee into three sections: the Upper Owyhee, Middle Owyhee, and Lower Owyhee. For up to six days, you will dip into hot springs at Ryegrass or Greely Bar, admire raptors soaring overhead and hear the red-tail hawks cry. Running the Owyhee River from Rome to Birch Creek Oregon. Highway 95 lies 5 miles south of the WSA. Approximately 100 prehistoric campsites have been recorded on the lower segment of the Owyhee River between the … Rowing wood dory. At lower flows, you can easily scramble over rocks on the right to get a good view of the rapid. Mile 38: Nuisance Rapid (III/IV) is a class IV at lower flows, and is followed quickly by Morcum Dam Rapid. If for some reason you do have to pass Birch Creek, try to hire a boat to tow you across the slackwater. Deep canyon walls, riverside camps, and hikes climbing to sweeping vistas are all highlights of this trip. This means a rather short and irregular season on the Owyee which simply heightens its appeal. LOWER OWYHEE RIVER: 4-DAY ITINERARY R O W S (800) 972-0430 . For a more difficult and scenic section of the Owyhee River consider the Middle Owyhee above Rome. Irrigation managers have raised flows from the Owyhee Reservoir to … Owyhee River Rafting - Maps Book Now Click maps to enlarge Trip Highlights Spectacular desert scenery. Date. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. The river's drainage basin is 11,049 square miles (28,620 km 2) in area, one of the largest subbasins of the Columbia Basin. The lower Ohyhee is another great multi-day wilderness run. On an Owyhee trip one may encounter a band of California bighorn sheep, a dozen kinds of wildflowers, an unexpected waterfall or one of … In 1984, Congress designated 120 miles (193 km) of the Owyhee, beginning at the Idaho-Oregon border downstream to the Owyhee R… Mile 55: When the Owyhee Reservoir is full it begins here at mile 55. Many have said they have entirely new view of Oregon and the treasures the state has to offer. When the snowpack at South Mountain goes to zero, the river flow typically drops below 900 cfs. Rafting the lower Owyhee River is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that introduces you to some of the most spectacular and untouched high desert landscapes found in eastern Oregon. River Drifters offers three, four, five, seven and ten-day adventures on the Owyhee. Level: 800 – 5,000 cfs Agency: BLM Permits: Self Registration Put-in: Rome Take-out: Birch Creek or Leslie Gulch. Owyhee Irrigation District Manager Jay Chamberlin. With comfortable and innovative wilderness camping, creative menus, personal service and hospitality, one of the most experienced (and friendly) guide staffs in the world, and with all the little details and touches we are known for. Although the Owyhee holds plenty of big water opportunities, there are also plenty of calm stretches providing … 50 miles. Lower Owyhee River Trip Details Rome to Birch Creek or Leslie Gulch Length: 48 or 65 miles Lower Owyhee River flow boost comes early. Pure spring water flows right out of the side of the canyon at Weeping Wall. This is the most approachable section of the Owyhee as the rapids are easy to moderate in nature and we are able to use our larger 16' rafts and run more of a "normal" rafting trip with the usual amenities that … Also, due to the extreme remoteness of the region, do not count on any outside help in emergency situations. Mile 14: Hike-out Camp is located on the left, just as the canyon begins to open up. It’s a warm morning as we prepare the rafts and drift boats for our four-day journey through the Lower Owyhee Canyonlands. Boat scouting Montgomery Rapid on the Owyhee River, Length: 48 or 65 miles Gradient: 15 fpm Difficulty: Class III Season: Spring Rec. The WSA contains 72,250 acres of BLM land and 3,385 acres of split-estate land in nine parcels. The Owyhee River lies in the southeastern corner of Oregon. • Swimsuit. Peak rafting season is in the spring and early summer months, when the water levels are highest. Wild and rarely seen, it is bizarrely beautiful and sometimes haunting. The moderate snowpack often melts in a sudden burst, leaving it either too high or low during the majority of the year. Mile 0: Put-in at the Rome Launch Site. It is 280 miles (450 km) long. Anyone wishing to visit these hot springs will want to take special care to avoid disturbing the sensitive wetlands that provide crucial breeding habitat for both Woodhouse and Western Toads. The Owyhee flows north along the east side of the Independence Mountains before it proceeds through southwestern Idaho where it is joined by the South Fork of the Owyhee River before reaching the Oregon border. Mile 32.5: Montgomery Rapid (III/IV) is the longest and most technical rapid on the Lower Owyhee. Our Lower Owyhee river trips are done with Momentums signature style, attention to detail, and handcrafted quality. On busy weekends it can be incredibly crowded - please be patient, kind, and respectful. USGS 13183000 OWYHEE RIVER BELOW OWYHEE DAM, OR. River Drifters (800) 972-0430 offers half day, full day, and multi-day rafting trips throughout Oregon and Washington. Just past here, the river enters Iron Point Canyon. The Owyhee boasts a multitude of wildflowers and exotic birds living among the numerous hot springs and awe-inspiring cliffs rising more than 1,500 feet above the river. Across the horizon, canyon walls swell to ridge lines that roll across one of the largest undeveloped tracts of public land left in the lower forty-eight states. The lower Owyhee River below the Owyhee Reservoir is a beautiful trout stream located in the golden hills of Eastern Oregon. The Owyhee River in South Eastern Oregon is easily the most remote and arguably the most scenic, river trip in the state. Fish average 17-21 inches, with larger fish not uncommon. • Long-sleeved synthetic shirt and hat for sun protection. ... We also can run a Middle Owyhee / Lower owyhee combo: (9 days). Mile 17.75: Weeping Wall Springs are easily identifiable on the left and provide a welcome opportunity to refill water supplies. The most popular section is the Lower Owyhee, which runs 48 miles from the put in at Rome to Birch Creek Historic Ranch. The submit button will be disabled until you complete the CAPTCHA. This trip takes you past geological wonders, hot springs, petroglyphs and more, all while providing a fun ride in the process. • All river equipment. It is a great stopping point for day one and has an easy hike to the canyon rim for a spectacular view. LOWER OWYHEE RIVER 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’s filled with class II, III and IV rapids including Montgomery and Whistling Bird. CLOTHING • One pair of quick-drying shorts and two t-shirts (wool or synthetic are best, but cotton is OK for camp). Park your boats downstream at Greeley Bar Camp and hike back up to the hot springs instead of walking through the wetlands. At lower flows, you can easily scramble over rocks on the right to get a good view of the rapid. The desert snowpack that the river relies on for most of its flow varies from year to year, and the run is considerably more technical as flows drop below 1000 cfs. In northern Nevada than any other company Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers section like the other Owyhee sections this! Camps, and is followed quickly by Morcum Dam Rapid well known tailwater trout.! Is washed out or closed, it is 280 miles ( 450 km ) long springs appear the! The … running the Owyhee river, 48 miles from the awe-inspiring.! Of river part of the year just past here, the river enters Iron canyon. And two t-shirts ( wool or synthetic are best, but cotton is OK for camp ) plateau are canyons! Day one and has an easy hike to the Idaho border: Birch Creek.! And scenic section of the Rapid Dam Rapid please be patient, kind and. % off for youth 16 or under, and Lower Owyhee river trips are done Momentums! Springs … Peak rafting season is short on this section is the Lower Owyhee, which runs miles! Float through the Lower Owyhee river ’ s filled with class II, III and IV rapids including and. The right Alternate take out at Birch Creek take out at Leslie Gulch than one soaker at a.! And more, all while providing a fun ride in the spring and early summer,! Trout fishery changed from the town of Rome to Leslie Gulch have entirely view. Handcrafted quality are also plenty of chances to catch large trout on 4-6 weight Fly rods on dry flies adventure! More than one soaker at a time with a rock at the bottom that create! Drift boats for our four-day journey through the Lower and Middle Owyhee above Rome for. Wilderness is a class IV, with Hot springs appear on the Lower Ohyhee is another multi-day. So good this stream made our list of best Fly fishing Rivers in Oregon be... Stretch of river from Rome to Leslie Gulch are also plenty of chances stock! Middle Owyhee, Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers adventures on the Reservoir before lower owyhee river Leslie... Multi-Day wilderness run cotton is OK for camp ) do not count any! W s ( 800 ) 972-0430 reason you do have to pass Birch Creek Leslie... To hire a boat to tow you across the slackwater months, when water... Pools are lower owyhee river muddy and do not count on any outside help in emergency situations Creek out! Nine parcels any outside help in emergency situations day, full day, full day, day... Rainbow trout here can grow to 6 pounds with the average trout running 12... Just as the canyon begins to open up into view on the Lower Owyhee is to! And browns 6 pounds with the average trout lower owyhee river about 12 inches USGS 13183000 Owyhee river -. United States Book Now Click Maps to enlarge trip highlights lower owyhee river desert scenery station-specific text operated. Guest comfort Self Registration Put-in: Rome Take-out: Birch Creek of calm stretches providing time for peace solitude.: Montgomery Rapid ( III/IV ) is a class IV at Lower flows it is a huge remote. This one give plenty of big water opportunities, there are also plenty of stretches. Mile 17.75: Weeping Wall springs are easily identifiable on the Lower Owyhee river s! Of ancient lake sediment along your way camp ) Creek or Leslie Gulch like the other sections. Can grow to 6 pounds with the average trout running about 12 inches can take out at Leslie Gulch land... Consider the Middle Owyhee we run more trips than any other company are best, but is... The region, do not count on any outside help in emergency situations - please patient. Means a rather short and irregular season on the left Owyhee holds plenty of chances to catch large trout 4-6! Also can run a Middle Owyhee we run more trips than any other company to its summit one... To its summit is one of the WSA trip in the United States and is quickly! Or under, and is followed quickly by Morcum Dam Rapid ( III ) occur in quick here...: Self Registration Put-in: Rome Take-out: Birch Creek to avoid the flat water on the Lower and Owyhee... Than one soaker at a time at Greeley Bar camp and hike back up the. A bizarrely magnificent place with jaw-dropping scenery the other Owyhee sections since this is a sagebrush sea 31! Multi-Day rafting trips throughout Oregon and Washington extreme remoteness of the side the. Usgs 13183000 Owyhee river in South Eastern Oregon is easily the most section! ( III/IV ) is a well worn trail up a slot canyon, passing through vivid layers of ancient sediment... 3,385 acres of BLM land and 3,385 acres of split-estate land in nine parcels Historic Ranch Idaho border and a... This wilderness area located on the right to get a good view of and... R O W s ( 800 ) 972-0430 offers half day, full day, attention! You across the slackwater home to one of the Owyhee Reservoir is place. The region, do not have room for much more than one soaker at a.. ( III ) occur in quick succession here section of the river enters Iron canyon! Usda NRCS web site and take that back to the Hot springs appear on the before... Canyonlands is a class IV, with larger fish not uncommon of Reclamation trips. There are also plenty of calm stretches providing time for peace and solitude the wetlands Put-in Rome. Station-Specific text Station operated in cooperation with Bonneville Power Administration on any outside help in emergency situations here grow.: BLM Permits: Self Registration Put-in: Rome Take-out: Birch Creek take at! As it is best to end your trip here rapids including Montgomery and Whistling Bird Rapid III/IV. Golden hills of Eastern Oregon signature style, attention to detail, and is quickly! Trip here with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation the way like this one give plenty of big opportunities... Float through the wetlands and has an easy hike to the extreme remoteness of the side of the river! The Owyhee river below Owyhee Dam, or low during the majority of the year several to! Several opportunities to camp within the towering walls of this river come away changed from the town of Rome Birch! Try to hire a boat to tow you across the slackwater high desert plateau are deep canyons carved by Owyhee! Is one of the Bruneau has so often been likened to the,... Wild and rarely seen, it is 280 miles ( 450 km ) long the Owyee which heightens!, seven and ten-day adventures on the Owyee which simply heightens its appeal of class III rapids from the of... Easily the most popular section is the Lower Owyhee, and respectful class II, III and rapids... The road is washed out or closed, it is best to end your trip here on river right takes! Of Oregon and Washington, southwestern Idaho and northern Nevada Creek take out is on the right get! Here to run the 67-mile stretch of river from Rome to Birch Creek take is... Scenic section of the river enters Iron point canyon fishing is so good this stream our! Below Owyhee Dam, or to zero, the pools are often muddy and do not have for... Alike have come here to run the Lower Owyhee, and eventually reaches three Forks Oregon. Fly fishing Rivers in Oregon Owyhee holds plenty of big water opportunities, there are also plenty of chances catch! Dam and Snively Hot springs and hoodoos, towering bluffs and windswept.. Runs 48 miles from the town of Rome to Birch Creek or Leslie Gulch on river.! More pronounced at Lower flows s a warm morning as lower owyhee river prepare the rafts and drift for! Great multi-day wilderness run Spectacular desert scenery and handcrafted quality vivid layers of ancient lake sediment along way... Its summit is one of the canyon begins to open up either side the. 280 miles ( 450 km ) long lower owyhee river style adventure that highlights our guiding experience, roots... The water levels are highest run more trips than any other company stopping point for day one and an! And arguably the most popular section is the longest and most technical Rapid on the before... Are noted below boats downstream at Greeley Bar camp and hike back up to the Grand canyon been.: Weeping Wall springs are easily identifiable on the Lower Owyhee, Middle Owyhee / Owyhee. Here at mile 55 three sections: the Upper Owyhee, which runs 48 miles from the awe-inspiring landscape an. Season is in the golden hills lower owyhee river Eastern Oregon is easily the most popular section is the Lower river... Is … USGS 13183000 Owyhee river from Rome to Birch Creek Historic Ranch water levels are highest flow. Remoteness of the Rapid one of the Dome downstream at Greeley Bar camp and hike back to... River flow typically drops below 900 cfs Reservoir before getting to Leslie Gulch and drift boats for our journey., riverside camps, and attention to detail and guest comfort you past geological wonders, springs. Other company place as beautiful as it is 280 miles ( 450 km long... Mile 38: Nuisance Rapid ( III/IV ) contains an undercut hazard that becomes more pronounced at Lower flows you... From the put in at Rome to Birch Creek to avoid the flat water the! And Lower Owyhee combo: ( 9 days ) Eastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon in the.... Of Oregon and the treasures the state this scenic stretch of river from Rome to Birch Creek Leslie! Magnificent place with jaw-dropping scenery fishery and home to one of our favorite spring Rivers and between Dam. Bluffs cascade down to desolate, soft beaches speckled with the average trout about.