The Owyhee River is known as the “Loneliest River in America,” and is one of the most remote wilderness white water rafting trips in the Lower 48. Oregonians proudly tout the Owyhee as the “Grand Canyon” of Oregon, and rafters can expect enchanting canyon scenery similar to the Colorado River, and geography reminiscent of Bryce and Zion National Parks.

The headwaters of this spectacular river begin in Northern Nevada, and it is one of the few rivers that wind north instead of south to its confluence with the Snake River at the Oregon/Idaho border.

The Owyhee is truly in the middle of nowhere. The put-in for most rafting trips is the town of Rome, Oregon, population: 50. Rafters can look forward to luxuriating in hot springs created by volcanic forces underground, as well as sightings of mountain lions, bobcats, mule deer, California Bighorn, sheep and a large variety of raptors.

The Owyhee is named after the island of Hawaii, by Hawaiian naives who came to the main land in the 1800s to find work as trappers and join exploring expeditions. Although it bears little visual reminiscence to its namesake island to the west, the Owyhee is a true once-in-a-life time experience for those looking to see one of the last vestiges of true wilderness in the Lower 48.