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Oregon Owynee River 5 Day From $680pp.
River rafting on Oregon's
spectacular Owyhee river is a trip for the ages. It is a river of
incredible beauty that must be seen to be believed. This is an ideal
trip for river running, birdwatching, and nature enthusiasts seeking a
journey through one of the world's most dramatic canyons. 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 wilderness
river less traveled. The Owyhee has been called the loneliest river in
the continental United States. Its remote, isolated, back-of-beyond
location has earned it this reputation.
Tucked in the very southeast corner of Oregon, the river flows through secret canyons most Oregonians don't even know about. In 400 miles from its headwaters in northern Nevada to its confluence with the Snake River on the Oregon-Idaho border, the Owyhee passes just one town: Rome, Oregon, estimated population 50. The Owyhee's 11,000 square-mile watershed has more cattle than people. Most of the region gets less than 10 inches of rain in an average year, making this a tough place to carve out a life. The USGS didn't even bother to print maps for much of the area until the late 1980's. The Lower Owyhee (where our trip takes place) alternates between dark volcanic gorges and open valleys of softer ash or sedimentary rock. Numerous hot springs attest to fiery forces lingering beneath the surface forces that produced eruptions as recently as 5,000 years ago. The crevices and rocky crags in the Owyhee canyon serve as ideal homes for the diverse bird population found along the river. Assorted songbirds, eagles, and even goose have been spotted on the Owyhee. Destination Wilderness is proud to offer two great ways to enjoy this region. In the spring, when the Owyhee runs at higher levels, we offer traditional raft trips, replete with typical tour amenities. In the summer, when flows drop to levels too low for the larger rafts, we switch to our fleet of stable and nimble one-person solo-catarafts, on which each participant rigs personal camping gear and paddles through intricate rapids. |