Overview
The Owyhee River in Idaho and Oregon is one of the most spectacular desert rivers in the United States. A tributary of the Snake River, the Owyhee begins in Nevada and flows north and west through Idaho and Oregon before the 200-mile long river's terminus into the Snake. The Owyhee travels through sparse country and its remote canyon scenery is a favorite destination for white water rafting connoisseurs. Launches on the Owyhee River are strictly controlled and more than half of the river is designated Wild & Scenic by Congress for its incredible diversity of scenery, wildlife and plants. Considered the "Sistine Chapel" of western canyon lands, the Owyhee River in Idaho and Oregon is one of the best kept whitewater rafting secrets.
Available Activities:
At A Glance
- Trip Duration: 4-7 Days
- Trip Length: 38-220 miles
- Intensity: Intermediate, Class II-V
- Season: April-May
- Minimum Age: 8-16, depending on section
- Begins in: Boise, Idaho
- Ends in: Boise, Idaho
- Closest Airport: Boise, Idaho
- Cultural History: Dozens of great rapids, stunning desert canyons (like Bryce and Zion National Parks), secluded and never crowded, hot springs and great hiking.
- Highlights: Birds of prey, wildlife, Native American historical sites and pioneer homesteads.
Details
Owyhee River Rafting - Whitewater Rafting Trips
Few white water trips can compare to the scenery, wildlife and adventure of Idaho and Oregon's Owyhee River. The Owyhee has carved dramatic multi-colored canyons, reminiscent of Bryce and Zion National Parks in southern Utah. Sheer-walled rock faces, up to 1,000 feet high, tower above the river and captivate guests as they float through this remote river canyon. The Owyhee River's white water is as diverse as the flora and fauna that adorns the remote canyon hillsides.
Depending on the section, the Owyhee River offers an ideal family vacation or an extreme adventure for experienced rafters. Each portion is unique and ROW has permits to float four different sections of the strictly regulated river. Owyhee River rafting trips range from four to seven days.
A kaleidoscope of life thrives in the canyon and you're likely to see multitudes of wildflowers, birds and reptiles as you raft through the Owyhee's Class II-IV whitewater rapids. You're also likely to see eagles and falcons soaring, beavers, otters, coyote, big horn sheep and antelope.
Undammed and free-flowing, the Owyhee is an early-season (April-June) desert river with strictly controlled launches. Camps are set on white sand beaches among twisted juniper trees and sagebrush. And as your guides prepare the evening's meal, you might soak in a hot spring or hike up a canyon draw. As the evening settles in, you sit in awe as the rock pinnacles of the Owyhee River's hillsides become silhouetted against a colorful Idaho sunset. After dinner, you sit around the glowing embers of the campfire and imagine what life was like when the Nez Perce tribe ruled these hills. This incredible desert canyon is rarely visited and offers an array of adventure, scenery and cultural history.
East Fork Owyhee River and South Fork Owyhee River adventures take you to the most remote river sections and are more expeditionary in nature, with most guests paddling atop inflatable kayaks, or daring duckies. The Middle Owyhee offers the most thrilling whitewater, and the Lower Owyhee has the most hot springs and gentlest rapids.
ROW has been on the Owyhee since 1980 and is one of very few outfitters licensed and permitted to run the entire river (bridging the states of Nevada, Idaho and Oregon). For nature lovers and white water connoisseurs, a rafting vacation on the Owyhee River is a dream come true.
If you need to purchase some gear before your whitewater rafting trip, ROW has assembled the more common items at our ROWear online store, hosted by New Headings.
Itinerary
Owyhee River Rafting Itineraries
The Lower Owyhee River Rafting Trips
5 days. 50 miles. 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 make for very comfortable and cushy camping. Our put-in is near the town of Rome with our take-out being at Birch Creek. During the trip we visit several wonderful hot springs where we try to spend a night or two. Camps are set on sand beaches. We see some dramatic geologic formations along the way, some of which are similar to the Dakota badlands. There are plenty of hiking possibilities and plenty of camp time for relaxing, photography, and bird watching. The best choice for those who don't want the tough whitewater of the Middle Section, or the expedition-quality of the Upper sections. Trips are limited to 16 guests and four guides.
The Middle Owyhee River Rafting Trips
4 days. 38 miles. Best-suited for very experienced rafters due to the remoteness and severity of the whitewater, we use extra caution and conservative judgement in running the rapids. Our put-in is at the Three Forks launch site with our take-out near Rome. During the trip we stop to scout several of the rapids, and line our rafts at the Widow Maker - a process requiring 3-5 hours, depending on how many rafts we have. This section flows through red-rock canyons with huge monolithic pillars of rock. There are a number of graceful, twisted juniper trees along the river and many interesting hikes.
FAQ
Owyhee River Rafting FAQ
When to Go? TOur Owyhee River Whitwater Rafting Trips generally runs from April to late May, with the best water levels and weather in May. The Bruneau comes from a slightly higher north-facing watershed, and we offer trips from late May to the third week of June. Since spring is a time when weather systems tend to be less stable than in the summer, temperature ranges can be extreme, with the possibility of snow flurries and a 95-degree sun in the same day. Our detailed packing list will tell you what you need to bring to be properly prepared.
Because of the unpredictable weather and water levels, we ask that everyone who signs up for these trips be flexible and come prepared for all kinds of weather. Both high and low water can happen. In low water we can usually run, but it might require running lighter rafts with fewer amenities. In May, on Owyhee River trips, we ask that you be willing to transfer to the Snake River in Hells Canyon should the need arise.
Our goal is always to raft the Owyhee River you can bet we'll do everything in our power to run the trip as scheduled. If we do have to change, it won't change your logistics any, since we will still meet and end in Boise.
Meeting Point: All trips meet the evening before the launch date. Trips on the Upper Owyhee we meet in Boise, Idaho. Trips on the Middle or Lower Owyhee meet in Boise for those who fly and Jordan Valley, Oregon for those driving.
Destinations 
