"I just wanted to let you all know how truly wonderful and amazing our trip down the Owyhee was. The geology of the area was stupendous and we couldn't believe it was Oregon, appearing more like the desert Southwest. We were all impressed by our guides and felt like we all became friends..."
--C. Wieneke, Owyhee River Trip, 2004
"Devon and I had a great five days on the Owyhee. Kim was a real delight. The weather was kind and the scenery, fortunately, unchanged for the last several millenia. We will be back."
--P. Stevens, Owyhee River Rafting Trip, 1999

Additional Owyhee River Information

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Quick Facts

Trip Difficulty:     Activity: Whitewater Rafting   Trip Accommodations   Similar Trip Options

The Wild and Scenic Owyhee river, tucked inconspicuously into Oregon’s southeast corner, is a relatively undiscovered jewel. Towering high desert canyon walls, an abundance of rare birds, exceptional whitewater, and quiet isolation await adventurers seeking a rafting trip on a wilderness river less traveled.

Often compared to adventures in Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks, the Owyhee river rafting trip offers drama and solitude to those who venture to this remote corner of the world. The Owyhee river flows north from its northern Nevada headwaters through the geologically-rich Owyhee high plateau, until it reaches the Snake River on the Oregon-Idaho border. A National Wild and Scenic River, the Lower Owyhee river and canyon dramatically changes character over its 65 mile course between Rome, Oregon, and Lake Owyhee.

Initially running through sage grass and gently sloping hills the Owyhee quickly transpires into a steep and deep canyon, with sheer cliffs over 1,000 feet tall reaching into the quiet desert sky. The multicolored rhyolite canyon walls highlight the fascinating geology and are home to numerous animals and birds found on the Owyhee river. These same walls serve as the backdrop for a spectacular wilderness and whitewater river.

Trip Overview
Our Owyhee river rafting trips begin and end Jordan Valley, Oregon, a short drive from Boise, Idaho. Boise is served by most major airlines. We can arrange a shuttle to pick you up in Boise, making your journey to the Owyhee as simple as catching a plane! We highly recommend you consider being one of the few that have journeyed through this high desert paradise.

Each day on the Owyhee river rafting journey brings new and exciting adventures and challenges. Rapids such as Whistling Bird, Upset, and Montgomery reveal their presence with a dull roar heard from far upriver. The snappy whitewater then appears on the horizon, beckoning rafters to dance down and through the waves and drops.

As if to reward those who travel this river less traveled, hot springs serve as therapeutic pools along the river. If water levels are right we stop and soak in these geothermal treats. Unique scenery and geologic formations are found at every turn. Weeping Wall Springs, an idyllic freshwater oasis, allows us to whet our thirst with pure spring water. Lambert Rocks, a rugged basalt formation and Chalk Basin cut into the sky and serve as great places to explore the desert canyon on foot. And, in Iron Point Canyon the river narrows and runs like a ribbon at the bottom of this monumental gorge.

All of these features are accentuated by the solitude of the Owyhee river. An Owyhee river rafting trip is like no other, as the river is so rarely run. It is unusual to encounter more than one or two other groups throughout the entire trip, and is even common to see no other forms of human life at all. The pristine nature of the Owyhee allows for wild birds to flourish and for animals such as Bighorn sheep and antelope to peacefully wander the shore and nimbly negotiate canyon walls. Quiet, serene, and tranquil are words that are regularly used to describe the Owyhee.

Our Owyhee river rafting trips begin and end Jordan Valley, Oregon, a short drive from Boise, Idaho. Boise is served by most major airlines. We can arrange a shuttle to pick you up in Boise, making your journey to the Owyhee as simple as catching a plane! We also provide free-of-charge all personal camping gear including sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and tents.
We highly recommend you consider being one of the few that have journeyed through this high desert paradise. For more detailed information such as a daily itinerary, rendezvous time and place, and so on, please click here.

Note: Youth is under 16; the minimum age is 12 in April and early May and eight in mid to late May.

LENGTH

ADULT

YOUTH

DATES

4-Day Trip

$1145

$995

April 9, April 29; Other dates may be available.

5-Day Trip

$1245

$1045

April 2, May 10, May 24; Other dates may be available.

Please add 6% land/government use fee to the above prices. NOTE: Other dates may be available. Please contact our office for more information.

All trips begin in Jordan Valley, Oregon. Prices include all river equipment, food, guides, personal camping gear such as tents, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags, waterproof bags, camp chairs, and shuttle between Jordan Valley and the river.