Owyhee River

Idaho

Bureau of Land Management
3948 Development Avenue
Boise, Idaho 83705

Designated Reach: March 30, 2009. The Owyhee River from the Idaho-Oregon State border to the upstream boundary of the Owyhee River Wilderness.

Classification/Mileage: Wild — 67.3 miles; Total — 67.3 miles.

The Owyhee River Canyon consists of steep, rhyolite walls ranging in height from 250 feet to over 1,000 feet near the Oregon border. The west end of the river below the confluence with the South Fork Owyhee River is known as the "Grand Canyon of the Owyhee." Within this gorge can be found extensive areas of rhyolite pinnacle formations known as "hoodoos." This is the most dramatic area of hoodoo formations within the entire Owyhee River system. Floating the Owyhee is popular in the spring during higher water flows. Low water float trips are also possible in smaller craft.