Owyhee River

Owyhee River Rafting Trips

A Unique Exploration of Oregon's Grand Canyon

This remote desert sanctuary is filled with dramatic, colorful gorges, an abundance of wildlife (especially birds of prey), and endless opportunities for hiking. An abundance of ancient petroglyphs add mystery to the history of the river and riverside hot springs (when available) add a level of comfort during the often fickle early season weather. The Owyhee River rafting season typically runs from March through May and is entirely dependent on winter snow accumulation and spring precipitation. It is not unusual for trips to be canceled due to low water. 

Trip Length:  5 and 6 Day Trips

Rafting Season:  April and May

Difficulty:  Class III

Minimum Age:  10

Rafting through green dragon canyon on the owyhee river

5 Day Trip

 once-in-a lifetime Adventure

$1,759.00 (Adult/Youth)

Minimum Age 10

 

The 5-Day trip runs 55 miles from Rome to Birch Creek. Set in a remote and seldom-traveled desert canyon with exceptional scenery and isolated wilderness. This trip has just enough moderate rapids to deliver a good dose of fun and excitement without taking away from the scenery and endless opportunities for hiking.


Gorgeous geological feature with the Owyhee river

 5 Day Geology Trip

Amazing Geologic Interpretation

$1,879.00 (Adult/Youth)

Minimum Age 10


The 5-Day trip runs 55 miles from Rome to Birch Creek. Spend 5 days exploring this remote and spectacular canyon with Owyhee geology experts Dr. Kyle House or Dr. Gordon Grant. Each provides in-depth and entertaining interpretation of the varied geology of the canyon. This trip follows a similar pace to our standard 5-Day trip

a river runs through the Owyhee canyon surrounded by tall cliffs

 6 Day ONDA Trip

 Make an impact

$1,879.00 (Adult/Youth)

Minimum Age 10


The 6-Day trip runs 55 miles from Rome to Birch Creek. This trip is run in partnership with The Oregon Natural Desert Association. ONDA works tirelessly to protect, defend and restore Oregon's high desert treasures. This trip typically features a coordinated service project while on the river. Please contact ONDA for availability at (541)330-2638 or onda@onda.org.

Owyhee River Travel & Area Information

Weather Conditions


The Owyhee River is only floatable in the spring. During this time weather conditions can vary drastically. We provide plenty of cold-weather gear, but more than any other river, it is important to be adequately equipped with the appropriate clothing.  

a graph showing the temperature and precipitation in inches

Getting There

Airport

If flying, the closest airport is Boise (BOI). You will need to rent a car as shuttle services in the area are scarce or often unavailable.  Call our office if you have questions about transportation in the area.

Transportation & Shuttles

We provide return transportation by van or 4WD vehicle from our take-out at Birch Creek to Rome. For those wishing to depart immediately for Boise or points north, having your vehicle shuttled to the take-out will save you some driving time. You will need to arrange this through our office. If you choose this option, we recommend filling up in Burn’s Junction if coming from the West or Jordan Valley if coming from the East. From Birch Creek, you will need a high-clearance vehicle. Please bring an extra set of keys. Call our office for current rates.

Rome Launch Site Map

Where to Stay

Rome    (Our Meeting Location)

Rome Station Café & RV Park 

Very basic cabins, campground, RV hookups and airstrip. (541) 586-2295

BLM Launch Site

Unimproved campsites with pit toilets. No dependable water source.

Burns   (1 hour, 45 minutes west of Rome)

America’s Best Inn

Comfortable lodging in a slightly larger town with grocery stores and dining options. (541) 573-1700

Crystal Crane Hot Springs

Rustic cabins and tent/RV sites available. Private and public hot pools. (541) 493-2312

Jordan Valley    (30 minutes east of Rome)

Basque Station Motel

Basic but the only motel in Jordan Valley. 

(541) 586-2244

Sunny Ridge RV Park

An RV Park with a few newer partially stocked trailers to rent and an EV charging station. As far as we know this is the only EV charging station in the area.

Boise  (2 hours east of Rome)

Best Western Vista Inn 

Near the airport.  (208) 336-8100 

Area Activities

Steens Mountain

Isolated and unique this mountain oasis offers sub-alpine meadows, forests, deeply glaciated valleys, and stands of aspen. Activities in the area include hiking, resort lodges, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, photography and a variety of winter activities. Located 60 miles south of Burns, OR.


Jordan Craters

"Moonscape-like" area of basalt lava flows with well preserved vents and striking features. Located 60 miles northeast of Rome.


Paradise Birding
Birding trips in the nearby Malheur Wildlife Refuge and river-based birding trips on the Owyhee.

Jordan Valley "Big Loop" Rodeo

Third weekend in May. This is one of the truly “original” rodeos left. Rough, wild and in the tradition of the old west this rodeo draws cowboys from all over. 


Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

187,000 acreas of habitat including wetlands, riparian area, meadows and uplands offer prime wildlife viewing. With more than 320 species of birds, and 58 species of mammals, the refuge offers prime wildlife viewing. In the spring waterfowl using the Pacific Flyway stop at the refuge and on the Silvies River flood plain around Burns to  refuel for their journey northward. Large flocks of lesser and greater sandhill cranes and flocks of snow and ross' geese provide spectacular viewing opportunities. 


Silver City, Idaho
Authentic old west ghost town. One of the better-preserved ghost towns. May be difficult to get to in the spring. 60  “slow” miles east of Rome. 

Outstanding Remarkable Values

Wild & Scenic River Designation - October 19, 1984

Learn about the outstanding remarkable values that makes the Owyhee River such a special place and helped it to achieve protected status under the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.

  • Cultural & Prehistoric

    The Owyhee watershed would have provided the major source of water, fuel, food and protected campsites in the harsh environment of southern Oregon. Approximately 100 prehistoric campsites have been recorded on the lower segment of the Owyhee River between the Rome Launch Site and Burnt Creek Ranch. The "Hole in the Ground" petroglyph site is one of the most outstanding sites of its kind in eastern Oregon.



  • Geologic

    Rocks exposed along and adjacent to the Owyhee River range in age from the late Miocene to recent. From oldest to youngest, these groups consist of rhyolitic flows, basalt flows, sedimentary rocks, young lava and alluvial deposits. Benchlands were formed during a period of intensive volcanic activity. Lava flows filled the stream valleys, damming them and impounding large lakes. Thousands of feet of sediment were deposited in the lakes which were subsequently drained as streams eroded through the basalt dams.

  • Recreational

    Outstanding recreation abounds in the canyon, including rafting, drift boating, kayaking, hiking, photography, nature study, fishing, hunting and camping. The Owyhee is recognized nationally as a prime early-season whitewater destination, popular for commercial and non-commercial river runners.

  • Scenic

    The canyons of the Owyhee River are dramatic, awe-inspiring landforms. Reddish-brown canyon walls, sharply contrasted by the colorful, eroded chalky cliffs, reach up to 1,000 feet above the pristine sagebrush and grass-covered and talus slopes that form the river's edge. Cliffs occasionally drop hundreds of feet directly into the river. The canyon rims are often eroded into a multitude of towering spires, while in other areas the canyon walls reach to the sky as fractured, blocky monoliths tinted with brilliant green, yellow and orange microflora.




  • Wildlife

    The Owyhee River Canyon provides diverse habitat for over 200 species of wildlife. Birds are especially abundant, both in number of species and number of individuals. Swainson's, ferruginous and red-tailed hawks, as well as American kestrels and northern harriers are common, and prairie falcon and sharp-shinned hawks have been observed frequently. Golden eagles are abundant year-round, and bald eagles winter in the canyons.

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