The Owyhee River, is a hidden gem in the southeastern corner of Oregon, is a 280-mile-long tributary of the Snake River. It flows northward from its Nevada headwaters through Idaho, cuts through the arid uplands of southeastern Oregon, and flows into the Snake River on the Oregon-Idaho state line near Adrian. Much of the river flows through a remote and almost unpopulated area. In 1984, 120 miles of the Owyhee was designated a Wild and Scenic River.
Sometimes referred to as Oregon’s Grand Canyon, the river has deep and spectacular canyons that reveal 14 million years of geologic history and numerous archaeological and historical sites. The river canyons are home to mountain lion, bobcat, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, a variety of raptors, and the world’s largest herd of California bighorn sheep. Add hot springs, thrilling class III whitewater, a truly remote wilderness feel and this becomes one of the premier rivers in the country to explore.
The Owyhee River boasts one of the shortest seasons of any Oregon River and is only runnable from late March through end of May which adds to its mystique and desire to experience it. Due to the limited season it’s a bucket list to anyone’s “rivers I have done list.” If you love wilderness and exploration, if you love to escape the common and every day and unplug the Owyhee is a great place to do it. If you are into photography, birdwatching this river is truly in a class of its own. Join us here for a well-rounded river experience; whitewater, hiking, history, scenery, hot springs, and camping; the Owyhee River in South Eastern Oregon really boasts it all.
The Owyhee Canyonlands is a very special area of Oregon that is truly like no other. We encourage you to spend a few extra days on either end of your trip to visit some of the areas other gems. A few of our favorites include: Succor Creek & Silver City, Crane Hot Springs, Jordan Craters, Leslie Gulch, Succor Creek & Silver City.
2022 DATES: April 1-5 April 22-26
When: Mid-April-End of May
Section: Rome to Birch Creek or Leslie Gulch
Length: 55 miles Days: 5
Boaters: Minimum 6-10
Trips start in Rome, Oregon and end in Birch Creek, Oregon.
Our Owyhee trips are 5-days of whitewater, scenery, hiking, hot-springs and relaxing far away from anything that resembles civilization. If we time things correctly at least one night will be in a camp with a hot-spring pool to relax in, which can be really nice on the brisk high dessert nights of April and May. We will hopefully time our days to include hikes into Pruitt’s Castle and the Chalk Basin and for stops to see Native American petroglyphs, many over 8,000 years old. These trips are small and the season for this river can be as short as a few weeks so sign up today and be one of the few that get’s to enjoy the “Grand Canyon of Oregon” on the Owyhee River.
Day 1: The first 5 or so miles of this trip take explorers through eastern Oregon farmland where avoiding gravel bars and choosing the right path around prairie islands are the real challenge. At about 5.5 miles the river suddenly comes around a corner and goes from flat farm land and into a narrow, vertical walled river gorge making the first spectacular canyon of the trip. Most camps in this part of the canyon mix impressive riverside scenery with steep hikes to wide vistas.
Day 2: In the morning the group will float into Sweetwater Canyon and the white water will begin. Multiple class III rapids including Long Sweetwater, Upset, and Bulls Eye keep things exciting. Around lunch the group will float into Weeping Wall Springs where under ground springs poor water from the vertical rock wall. This is a great spot to fill your water bottle with true spring water. The afternoon has two very exciting class III rapids leading into a camp with a hot spring pool in one-direction and some of the best hiking on the Owyhee in the other. As on all nights, relax after dinner around the campfire and share stories with your new friends before crawling into your tent to spend the evening.
Day 3: Today is an exciting day. Today the group will go into the heart of the Owyhee Canyon, officially known as Green Dragon Canyon. In this canyon solid rock walls climb right out of the water to almost 1000ft over you. As in any tight gorge we run into some great whitewater to keep us busy between pools where we turn our heads skyward to try and take in the grandness of this spectacular canyon. In the inner gorge the group will paddle through two class III rapids before coming into the only true class IV rapid of the trip, Montgomery (however in an inflatable kayak it’s really more of a III). Not far below Montgomery we will come into a camp in the heart of the gorge.
Day 4: Wake up and watch the sun slide down vertical walls based right in camp. As the rays from the sky reach our little beach and start to warm your skin we will prepare to put back on the river. Waking up, eating, running the river, finding camp, eating, relaxing, and sleeping. It’s a great cycle of life and today is just another day. As we come out of the inner gorge of Green Dragon Canyon we will float into our class III rapids for the day including Nuisance. The afternoon today is filled with class II rapids which will always keep the group on our toes.
Day 5: About 12 miles will bring the group to the top of the lake where we will strap the rafts together, drop the motor, and slowly putt across the reservoir and the takeout. From here we will return you to either Boise or Rome.
At Camp:
The standard of excellence extended by Juniper River Adventures continues off of the water with our comfortably detailed camp. We take care of all camp chores while you swim, fish, hike, relax or just enjoy this beautiful river setting. When your raft hits the beach after a day of fun on the river, you will find your tent already set up, drinks and hors d’oeuvres waiting, with gourmet cuisine soon to follow. Two people fit comfortably in a tent, with cots and sleeping pads provided. We set up a camp toilet with a privacy tent and hand-washing station.
We practice ‘leave no trace’ camping ethics and pack out everything we take on the trip.
Where to meet:
At the put-in: The trip starts at the raft launch site in Rome, Oregon. Please arrive around 9:00 AM Mountain Time. At the put-in we will supply you will all of your needed river gear including: Dry bag for your gear, helmet, and a PFD. We will have additional drybag or dry box space if you have something you would like to bring which won’t fit into the supplied drybag. When you are all packed we will have a thorough river and safety skills and general trip orientation to help prepare you for this high dessert adventure.
At the put-in: The trip starts at the raft launch site in Rome, Oregon. Please arrive around 9:00 AM Mountain Time. At the put-in we will supply you will all of your needed river gear including: Dry bag for your gear, helmet, and a PFD. We will have additional drybag or dry box space if you have something you would like to bring which won’t fit into the supplied drybag. When you are all packed we will have a thorough river and safety skills and general trip orientation to help prepare you for this high dessert adventure.
Guided Trip Details and Driving Directions