CuteCamper
North Fork Owyhee Wild and Scenic River
Overview:
Flowing west out of southern Idaho, the rugged and lightly-roaded country of the offers scenery, beautiful geology and plenty of solitude. Clear nocturnal skies are the norm here where the lack of light pollution allows unimpaired views of the night sky.The North Fork Owyhee offers very high quality backpacking opportunities. Excellent opportunities for early season (spring runoff) expert level kayaking on the 12 mile section between North Fork Crossing and Three Forks are also available. Numerous other recreational opportunities, including hunting, camping, wildlife viewing and photography are available in the area.
Know Before You Go:
- This river is not for the inexperienced kayaker! Once you enter these deeply carved canyons, you will be a long way from help. Emergency access is extremely difficult, and cell phone coverage is nonexistent within the confines of the canyon.
- The river can be accessed by vehicle at either the primitive Three Forks Recreation Site or at the semi-developed North Fork campground in Idaho.
- When recreating on public lands, please practice Leave-No-Trace Principles.
Point of Interest:
This wild and scenic river spans state lines. There are 15.1 miles of the North Fork Owyhee classified as a Wild and Scenic River with 9.6 miles managed by the Oregon Bureau of Land Management and 5.5 miles managed by the Idaho BLM.
North Fork Owyhee Wild and Scenic River
North Fork Owyhee Wild and Scenic River near Three Forks
North Fork Owyhee Wild and Scenic River
Evening on the North Fork Owyhee Wild and Scenic River
North Fork Owyhee Wild and Scenic River
Low June flow on the North Fork Owyhee Wild and Scenic River
North Fork Owyhee Wild and Scenic River
Incised canyon of the North Fork Owyhee Wild and Scenic River
North Fork Owyhee Wild and Scenic River
The road down to Three Forks Recreation Site
RecAreaDirections
Getting there is a challenge, but it’s worth the effort. Note: high-clearance four-wheel drive is highly recommended.
From U.S. 95 near Danner, Oregon: Approximately 16 miles west of Jordan Valley, Oregon, look for a sign marking the Soldier Creek Loop Road, Owyhee Canyon Overlook, and Three Forks. Turn south onto this dirt road and follow it for 36 miles until you reach the rim of the canyon.
Misc
| Stay Limit | 14 Days |
| Reservable | false |
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Permits info
Facilities
Three Forks Facility
Overview:
One of the most remote locations in Oregon, the Three Forks Recreation Site offers camping, fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities in the canyonland confluence of the North Fork Owyhee, Middle Fork Owyhee, and Owyhee Rivers.Know Before You Go:
- The Soldier Creek Loop Road can be impassable when wet or muddy, so plan accordingly. It is designated a BLM Watchable Wildlife road, and is enjoyed by a variety of users – including outdoor enthusiasts, birders, ranchers, upland bird and big game hunters, rafters, and campers. Cattle graze on the open range here, too, so be prepared for the occasional cow-in-the-road experience.
- Along the way, plan a stop at the Owyhee Canyon Overlook (22 miles from the highway turn-off) for breathtaking views of the Owyhee Wild and Scenic River far below.
- The last two miles to the site drop quickly into the Three Forks canyon. It is best to stop at the canyon rim and assess the road conditions before attempting the descent with your vehicle, as it’s rocky, steep, and not regularly maintained. Visitors are encouraged to park their cars at the rim and hike down to the site, should driving conditions be too treacherous.
- Once in the canyon, the recreation site features five designated campsites, a boat launch, vehicle parking, and vault restrooms.
- The site is named Three Forks for the three sections of rivers – the Owyhee, the North Fork Owyhee, and the Middle Fork Owyhee – that converge in the area.
- Pronghorn antelope can be found on the rangeland above the canyon, and the canyon interior is particularly important as mule deer winter range habitat. Elk also use this area in the winter and California Bighorn sheep are year-round residents within the Owyhee River corridor.
