Owyhee River 

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The headwaters of the Owyhee River are in Nevada.  After flowing through Idaho, the river crosses the Owyhee uplands of southeastern Oregon, eventually flowing into the Snake River.  The river has cut deep canyons into the landscape which reveal a geologic history beginning 17 million years ago, but part of the geological formations in Nevada and the mountains around Silver City are much older.  The main the river canyon exposes strata of miocene, pliocene, and pliestocene eras.  The Owyhee offers breathtaking towering cliffs, above the river, picturesque multi-colored geological formations of basalt flows interspersed with sedimentary rock and fossil deposits.

The Owyhee Canyon offers a wide variety of recreational pursuits: scenic, geologic, biologic, and historic.  The area attracts hunters, fishermen, boaters, tourists, and scientists.  Wildlife in the gorge includes mule deer, big-horn sheep, chukar, quail, golden eagles and a variety of hawks.   For local vegetation see our loval regional vegetation database.  The spectacular canyon can be seen by hiking in and from some roads that run out to the canyon edge. Travel into the canyon by car is very restricted. One access point is Birch Creek Ranch.  Rafting is another popular method to visit the canyon, but as the river is wild and free flowing rafting is safe only on limited weeks each year. The exact dates are determined by river flow. Information on boating on the Owyhee River can be obtained from the Vale BLM.

Visit our Lower Owyhee River photo gallery
and Owyhee Reservoir, Oregon, photo gallery

For more information on geology, history, etc. see the Lower Owyhee Watershed Assessment.

Links to other information: 

Scenic attractions

Owyhee River country

Leslie Gulch, Oregon,   Leslie Gulch photo gallery
Map of locations of some of the scenic attractions in the vicinity of Leslie Gulch and Succor Creek
Succor Creek State Park, Oregon    Succor Creek photo gallery
Owyhee Uplands, Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada   Owyhee aerial photo gallery
Owyhee River, Oregon   Lower Owyhee River photo gallery
Snively Hot Springs on the Lower Owyhee River photo gallery
Owyhee Dam, Oregon, photo gallery
Owyhee Reservoir, Oregon, photo gallery
Carlton Canyon, Oregon      Carlton Canyon photo gallery
Honeycombs, Oregon          Honeycombs photo gallery 1, gallery 2
Painted Canyon, Oregon      Painted Canyon photo gallery
Three Fingers Rock, Oregon
Three Fingers Gulch, Oregon photo gallery
Long Gulch photo gallery
Hole in the Ground photo gallery
Birch Creek photo gallery
Jordan Craters, Oregon photo gallery
Pillars of Rome, Oregon photo gallery
Antelope Reservoir photo gallery
Alvord Desert photo gallery
Twin Springs to Dry Creek Oregon, photo gallery
Dry Creek to Crowley photo gallery

Malheur River country

Malheur Butte, Oregon, photo gallery
Beulah Reservoir, Oregon
Juntura Hot Springs, Oregon, photo gallery
Chukar Park, Oregon, photo gallery
Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, Oregon  Strawberry Lake and Falls photo gallery

Other areas nearby

Big Lookout Mountain, Oregon, photo gallery
Steens Mountain photo
Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon
Sagehen Reservoir, Idaho photo gallery
Duck Lake, Idaho photo gallery
Snowslide Lake, Idaho, photo gallery
Celebration Park, Idaho, photo gallery
Givens Hot Springs, Idaho
Bruneau Dunes State Park, Idaho, photo gallery
Weiser River Trail, Idaho, photo gallery

Rafting the Owyhee River, with photos including Leslie Gulch