This document provides information about rivers in the Owyhee Canyonlands region, including the Owyhee River, Bruneau River, Jarbidge River, and East Fork Owyhee River. It describes the wildlife, geology, and remoteness of the area. It provides details about put-in and take-out points, recommended water levels, permits required, and outfitters that guide trips on the rivers. Safety tips are included such as being prepared with spare tires and extra supplies and packing out all waste.

1. Running Rivers
in the
Owyhee
Canyonlands
By
Steve Stuebner

2. Wild & Scenic Rivers and Wilderness in the
Owyhee Canyonlands – 2009

3. The Allure of the Owyhee Canyonlands
• Beautiful, unique
incised canyons
• Wildlife
• 5 million+ acres of
public lands to explore
• Geology – lava flows
• Solitude
• Challenge
• Personal Discovery …

4. What kind of wildlife?

5. Lots of canyons!

7. Interesting rock features

8. Natural Arches
Arch Canyon

9. The Big Wide Open

10. Super-remote places

11. Remember - Be Prepared
• Over 5 million acres of remote canyonlands
• No services anywhere
• Stay away when it’s rainy and wet – you’ll sink
to your axles
• Carry an extra spare tire; make sure you’ve got
a solid jack.
• Pack it in/pack it out
• Bring extra maps/GPS
for route-finding
• No cell service

12. Rattlesnakes

13. Owyhee River
- Lower Owyhee
- 3 Forks to Rome
- East Fork
- South Fork
- Deep Creek

14. Bruneau River

15. “Canyonlands Calling” –
Courtesy Idaho Public TV

16. Steve’s 1st Bruneau trip – May 1987

17. Had the place to ourselves …
2 rafts, 4 people – Simplicity
Bruneau One-Stop did the shuttle

18. Trip Logistics
• Put-in at Indian Hot Springs – 4.5 hours driving
time from Boise (roughly)
• 41 miles from Hot Springs to Bruneau takeout.
Can be done in 2-4 days … I recommend 4 days
• Arrange your own shuttle or hire a shuttle driver
from Bruneau One-Stop or another source
• Pack it in/Pack it out …
• Bring your fire pan and toilet

19. Very slow rocky road to put-in

20. Take a good truck! Are we there yet?

21. FINALLY! – Kid trip 2 rafts, 3 kayaks
Water level – 1,200 cfs

22. Cave Draw
• A “must-see”
location – 7
miles from the
put-in …
• “Valley of the
Caves and
Spiritual
Wonders”
• One of my
favorite spots

24. East Fork – Nice campsite with side-
hiking potential …

25. Five Mile Rapids – Big pucker factor

27. On one trip – the river tripled to 3,600 cfs

29. We made it!
Talk about
adrenaline!
Steve Hubert
broke an oar
but that’s why
we bring a
spare!

30. Jarbidge River
• Did that trip with Wendy in a 2-person paddle
boat – Shredder would be even better
• Very intense whitewater experience … too many
rapids to remember … class 3-5
• River best suited for hard-shell kayaks or IK’s
• Go with someone who’s been there before
• 30 miles of river – Several portages over the Class
5 drops … allow 2-3 days for the trip …
• Put-in near Murphy’s Hot Springs at the Nevada
Border
• Best access via Three Creek Road (paved road)

31. Very Scenic

32. Wendy

34. Owyhee River – Lower Owyhee

35. Video courtesy ROW Adventures

36. Best for kids and families

37. Lower Owyhee logistics
• 48 miles from Rome to Birch Creek BLM takeout
• Rome put-in is about 2+ hours from Boise
• Allow 3-5 days for the trip … extra layover days
are a big plus!
• Can be extreme headwinds in the spring – can be
bone-chilling cold NW wind … blizzard or rain …
• Wait for good weather – ideally
• Good trip for experienced SUP’ers
• Bring clothes for wide range of weather …

40. Mostly Class 3 rapids

41. Main Rapids
• Bull’s Eye
• Whistling Bird
• Montgomery

42. Cool side hikes at Pruitt’s Castle

43. Sweet side
hike below
Whistling
Bird

44. Great campsites below Montgomery

45. Typical river camp scene

46. Cool caves near Birch Creek takeout

47. East Fork Owyhee River
• Challenging 43-mile, 5-6 day wilderness trip
• Best done in IK’s or canoes
• Put-in at Garat, near Duck Valley Reservation;
takeout at Crutcher’s Crossing
• Big portage at Owyhee Falls
• Can be portage at Eye of the Needle
• Lots of challenging drops
• Solitude
• Very long 3+ hour drive out of Crutcher’s back to
Duck Valley and civilization … lots of dirt road

48. 3 canoes, 6 people

49. The East Fork is
Wendy’s
favorite river

50. High water run in
Cabin Rapids with
Wendy in the bow
and Phil Lansing in
the stern … they d
not swim …

51. Owyhee Falls
Cable Rapids

55. Dumped canoe in Cave Rapids

57. Owyhee River - Three Forks to Rome
• 37 miles, 3-4 day trip
• Super remote wilderness trip
• Can be difficult access to Three Forks when
roads are muddy in spring
• Best for rafts, catarafts and kayaks
• Major portage over big rocks at Class 5
Widowmaker Rapids … some people run it
• Stout Class 4+ rapids at Ledge and Halfmile
• Need strong crew

58. Video of Widowmaker
courtesy Kevin Nimmo

60. Outfitters that run the Owyhee &
Bruneau Rivers
• Far & Away
• ROW Adventures
• Wilderness River Outfitters
• Jon Barker – Barker River Expeditions
• Barker also guides canyonlands exploration
hiking and canyoneering trips …
• The time to book a trip is NOW!
• Or, put together your own trip …

61. More info. @
• SteveStuebner.com
• Stueby’s Outdoor Journal (weekly outdoor tips)
featured on The River 94.9 FM every Friday
• Best guidebook is the BLM Boaters Guide to the
Owyhee & Bruneau River Systems available at
Idaho River Sports and the BLM State Office