Owyhee FAQ

Our Owyhee trip is a five-day rafting and camping adventure on 48 miles of remote high desert canyon in southeastern Oregon. You will float through towering basalt cliffs, soak in riverside hot springs, explore side hikes, and camp each night under star filled skies. The whitewater is mostly fun Class II and III rapids with time for relaxing, bird watching, and enjoying the scenery.

The section of the Oywhee River most commonly rafted is in the southeast corner of Oregon. From its headwaters in northern Nevada, it meanders through southwestern Idaho and into Oregon. It’s located about 7 hours drive from Portland, Oregon, about 4 hours from Bend, Oregon, and about 2 hours from Boise, Idaho.

Check out my blog about the highlights of my last trip.

All of our Owyhee trips are five days long and cover approximately 48 river miles from Rome to Birch Creek. The season is short and flow-dependent, typically in April with dates chosen to give us the best chance at good water levels.

Your trip price includes:

• Professional, experienced river guides
• All on river meals from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last day
• Standard camping gear by request, including tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad at no extra cost
• Waterproof dry bags for your personal gear and a small day bag for items you need during the day
• Transportation from the take out back to Rome at the end of the trip
• All required river equipment, such as life jackets and helmets where appropriate

Camping gear must be requested during your online trip registration so we can have it packed for you.

We meet at the BLM Owyhee River launch site and campground just north of the Rome Station Cafe on Highway 95. You will notice many other river runners getting ready for trips but keep an eye out for a Northwest Rafting Company truck, and our blue and yellow boats. This pocket of southeast Oregon is located in Mountain Standard time, so keep an eye on the clock, some cell phones update time automatically so be ready.

There are a couple of different options when looking for a place to stay the night before your trip. You can easily camp at the Rome Owyhee River put-in. You will likely see our crew rigging boats and getting ready for the next day. You can also stay at the Basque Station Motel in Jordan Valley, or check to see if there are rooms at the Rome Station Cafe. If you don’t mind getting up a little early and driving in the morning, check out Crystal Crane Hot Springs just outside of Burns, Oregon on Highway 78.

Getting to this corner of Oregon brings you close to many of eastern Oregon’s gems. If you are looking for hiking, desert camping, hot springs, or even some spring skiing, the hardest part will be deciding where to stop. Here are a few places to consider:

• Bend, Oregon
• Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
• Steens Mountains
• Alvord Desert
• Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge
• Painted Hills

On the last day you will take out at Birch Creek in the early afternoon, say goodbye to most of your guide crew, and then board a van that will return you and your gear to Rome. The drive takes about three hours on a beautiful but winding road, and you will typically arrive back in Rome around 4:00 PM. Those who get carsick may want to bring motion sickness medication and sit near the front of the van.

The Owyhee Canyonlands are known for having unpredictable weather year round. Temperatures can dip into the 30s and climb into the 70s. We have selected our trip dates during the window that offers the best chances for both good water levels and pleasant weather. That said, a wide range of conditions is still possible, so be prepared for cool mornings, warm sunny afternoons, and the potential for rain.

We typically use three types of boats:

• Paddle boats are fourteen to fifteen foot rafts guided from the back, where guests paddle as a team following the guide’s commands.
• Oar boats carry gear and a few passengers and are rowed by a guide, which is ideal if you prefer a more relaxed ride and extra stability.
• Inflatable kayaks are small one or two person boats that you paddle yourself and are a fun way to experience the rapids more directly.

Inflatable kayaks are available when guides feel conditions are appropriate for them.

The exact timing depends on water levels and campsites, but most days follow a similar rhythm:

• Breakfast around 8:00 AM in camp
• On the water around 10:00 AM
• Four to five hours of boating with a midday stop for lunch and possibly a short hike or side exploration
• Arrive in camp by late afternoon with time to relax, hike, or soak in hot springs before dinner

If you are new to camping, guides are happy to help you choose a tent site and get set up.

We use portable river toilets, often called groovers, which we set up in private locations near camp. Your guide will explain to everyone on day one the system of

The rapids on the Owyhee are class II and III. There are a couple rapids that are a little trickier than the rest, which we will stop and scout.

This is a family friendly trip. However, the Owyhee River flows for rafting happen at the end of April and early May, making it hard to some families to get time off work and school. However, with loads of run rapids, great camps, some awesome hikes, and great starry nights, it is a trip that the entire family can enjoy.

Spring in the Owyhee canyon can be dramatic and unpredictable. On a single trip you may experience cold and rainy days, bright sunny afternoons, and clear chilly nights. Temperatures commonly range from the thirties at night to the seventies during the day. Weather forecasts are not always accurate in this remote corner of Oregon, so please arrive prepared for a wide variety of conditions.

We recommend packing with a layering system in mind, using mostly wool and synthetic fabrics that stay warm when wet. In general you will want:

• Non cotton base layers for the river and for camp (wool or synthetic tops and bottoms)
• A warm insulating layer such as fleece or puffy jacket for cool evenings
• A sturdy rain jacket and rain pants that fit over your other layers
• Warm wool or neoprene socks and gloves if your hands and feet tend to get cold
• River shoes or sandals that stay on your feet and can get wet
• Camp shoes, a warm hat, and a sun hat

Our Trip Details document includes a full packing checklist for river clothing, camp clothing, camping gear, and personal items.

Yes. Wetsuits and paddle jackets are required on our Owyhee trips because of cold spring water and variable weather. We are happy to provide these at no extra cost, and you will let us know your sizes when you complete your online registration. Our wetsuits are farmer john style and are typically worn over a synthetic or wool top with a paddle jacket on top. You may not need to wear them every single day, but you should plan to have them available.

Each guest receives a large waterproof dry bag for the main part of the trip. When fully packed, this bag is roughly seventeen inches in diameter and thirty two inches tall, similar in size to a large garbage bag. Your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothing, and other personal items all need to fit inside this bag. We provide a separate bag for tents and a smaller day bag for items you want access to while boating, such as sunscreen, medications, an extra layer, or rain jacket.

This is a remote wilderness area. There is very limited cell service around Rome and essentially none once we are on the river. There is no electricity in camp for charging devices. If you need to charge any devices consider bringing a battery bank. Check out our technology blog for more information.

We provide all meals from lunch on day one through lunch on day five. Our guides take pride in serving hearty, delicious meals with plenty of variety and fresh ingredients. You can expect cooked breakfasts, creative riverside lunches, and full dinners prepared in camp, plus snacks, coffee, tea, and hot drinks. Many guests comment that the food is one of the highlights of the trip.

Yes. We can accommodate many common dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and some food allergies, provided we know about them in advance. Please include your dietary information when you complete your trip registration so that our food planners can build a menu that works well for you and for the group. Check out this page for more information.

You are welcome to bring alcoholic beverages for camp, preferably in unbreakable containers. For safety reasons, drinking alcohol on the river is not allowed. Beer and soda must be in cans or plastic bottles and will be stored in a shared cooler. Please mark the tops of your cans with your initials so you can easily find your drinks.

Yes! We provide treated drinking water throughout the day. You should bring a sturdy reusable water bottle with a way to clip it securely to the boat, so you can stay hydrated while on the river and in camp.