5-Day
Owyhee River
Rafting & Camping Trip
With Ellen Morris Bishop
Highlights & Details
- Expert Interpretation
- Great Photography
- Great adventure hikes
- Hot Springs
- Remote and isolated
- Petroglyphs, native sites
- Awesome scenery
Trip Pricing
Adults: $1,879.00
Youth: $1,879.00 (12 and Under)
Minimum Age: 12 years
Price Includes: All camping gear (0-degree sleeping bags), meals from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last, return transportation to Rome, paddle jackets and pants and/or wetsuits on cooler days, and complimentary t-shirt and Nalgene-style water bottle.
The Owyhee River is a dramatic desert sanctuary tucked away in the sparsely-populated southeastern corner of Oregon.
Our 5-day Owyhee river rafting trip begins in the tiny town of Rome, Oregon. We’ll explore 55 miles of the lower canyon at a leisurely pace, passing through the deepest and most scenic section of the Owyhee River canyon. Our take-out is at Birch Creek where transportation is provided back to Rome.
Along the way, noted naturalist, Ellen Morris Bishop, will provide in-depth and entertaining interpretation of natural wonders abounding in the canyon. The Owyhee River has inviting sandy beaches surrounded by quiet, uncrowded desert solitude creating a premier camping experience. With a little luck, we’ll enjoy one of several camps with access to nearby natural hot springs – a perfect way to take the chill out of the often fickle weather in April and May. There’s plenty of time to explore side canyons, take photographs and attempt to decipher ancient Native American petroglyphs – many more than 8,000 years old!
Rapids like “Bullseye,” “Nuisance” and “Montgomery” entertain and thrill us with a bit of whitewater each day.
What's it like?
Each day the guides will have coffee on between 6:30 am and 7:00 am and breakfast is served at 8:00 am. We start packing up at 9:00 am and try to be on the river by 10:00 am. Each day on the river is different and actual activities are chosen according to the general interests of the group. There are a wide variety of short hikes, swimming holes on side creeks, historic sites and places of interest to linger. You’ll also have the opportunity to move from raft to raft, relaxing in the oar raft, joining a crew in a paddle raft or going solo in an inflatable kayak.
Owyhee River Trip Planning
Meeting Details
When: 9:00 am (Pacific Time) Our meeting location in Rome, OR is located just within the Mountain Time Zone but all of our trips run on Pacific Time.
Where: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Launch Site in Rome, OR. Look for the gravel access road to the launch site just east of the HWY 95 Bridge over the Owyhee River. If you arrive early, you may find our staff having breakfast at the Rome Café.
PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE. Service at the Rome Café can be slow; this is the most common reason guests are late. Being late affects the entire group and the first day’s itinerary and may require us to skip popular stops or activities. If you are lost or will be late please use the following phone numbers to let us know. Please leave messages at each number.
Ouzel Office: 541-385-5947
Rome Ranger Station: 541-586-2612
Rome Café: 541-586-2295
Drive Time to Rome, OR:
Boise—2 Hrs
Bend—4.5 Hrs
Portland—7.5 Hrs
Ontario—2.5 Hrs
Jordan Valley—30 Min
What to Pack
On the River:
- Hat for sun protection
- Sunglasses (w/strap)
- Shorts or swimsuit (most women prefer wearing shorts over bikini bottoms)
- Rafting Shoes: Sandals w/heel strap or sneakers (No flip flops, crocs or bare feet)
- Lip Balm (with SPF protection) & Sunscreen (spray sunscreen runs out quickly)
- If you are sensitive to the sun, you might consider wearing pants and a long-sleeve shirt made from a lightweight, quick-drying material.
On Cooler Days Add a Second Layer Being prepared with light to mid weight layers of synthetic clothing takes the chill out of cooler days on the river.
Special Considerations for the Owyhee:
- It is not uncommon to experience wet & dry conditions and temperature fluctuations of up to 40 degrees within a given day on the Owyhee River. Being prepared on the Owyhee means being able to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Common outdoor wisdom tells us that layering is the key. You should have several layers of NON-COTTON tops and bottoms made from synthetic materials such as polypropylene or fleece which maintain warmth even when wet.
- Protecting your head, hands and feet are extremely important and often overlooked. You should have an insulated and water-shedding hat for wearing on the river. We also recommend a pair of neoprene gloves.
- Finally, keep in mind that any of the items you choose to wear on the river (with the exception of your waterproof/windproof shell) are likely be wet when you reach camp. A complete change of clothes should be waiting in your large dry bag (including hats, gloves, socks and shoes).
In Camp:
- T-Shirts and shorts
- Long sleeve shirts (cotton okay)
- Long pants (cotton okay)
- Sweatshirt or fleece top (for colder days)
- Socks and underwear (Long Underwear too)
- Warm hat (for chilly mornings/evenings)
- Sneakers or light hikers (light boots are fine)
- Small towel & toiletries
- Insect repellent
- Flashlight or headlamp
It is a tradition on our trips to have some fun on our last evening. Ties, cummerbunds, costumer jewelry, crazy hats – think Halloween. Be as creative and crazy as you want.
Optional Items:
- Waterproof camera
- Extra batteries (for flashlight, camera, etc.)
- Soda, beer, wine or your favorite spirits—we’ll keep your drinks on ice if desired. (Please avoid glass containers if possible).
- Small pillow (travel or backpack kind)
- Personal amenities such as a journal, book, deck of cards, Frisbee, football, etc...
- Binoculars
- Trekking pole or walking stick (only if needed for stability)
- Sarong
- Kayaking gloves. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the inflatable kayak.
- Small first aid kit with Band-Aids, ibuprofen, etc... All trips carry major and minor kits and each guide has their own supplies, but it can be handy to have your own “ouch pouch”.
Type of Rafts
We use a variety of raft-types and raft configurations on our trips. Guest comfort, safety considerations and trip efficiency combine to help us decide which rafts are appropriate for which trips. While half and one-day trips use only paddle rafts, you are likely to see a variety of rafts and configurations on most multi-day trips. On a typical multi-day trip we let guests decide which type of raft they want to be in (we don't assign seats). We switch around a lot during the day, so everyone has the chance to try them all. We do, however, give preference for the oar raft to folks who have difficulty paddling or may have physical limitations.
List of Services
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OAR RAFTSList Item 1
These rafts are from 14' to 16' in length with a padded bench seat in front. The guide rows the raft and guests can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Depending on the section of river, the oar raft may be limited to two passengers.
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OAR-ASSISTED PADDLE RAFTSList Item 2
This type of raft is a combination of both an oar raft and a paddle raft. Up to six guests provide power by paddling as a team, while the guide steers with oars in the back. This combination reduces the amount of paddling needed from guests.
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INFLATABLE KAYAKSList Item 3
Inflatable kayaks (IK) are manned by single guest with a double-bladed paddle. IKs follow the rafts with a guide providing instructions for each rapid. IKs are shared by everyone and carefully managed to make sure the difficulty level of rapids is appropriate for the guest.
