$1,495
Owyhee River Rafting in Oregon
Overview
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Ages: 10+
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Difficulty: Class III
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Includes: All meals and group camping gear
Includes trip overview, packing list and travel logistics
Few people have had the pleasure of descending into the Owyhee River Canyon, one of the country’s secret gems of wilderness multi-day river rafting.
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act has protected over 120 miles of the Owyhee River from development since 1984. Often called Oregon’s Grand Canyon, the Owyhee River contains thrilling Class III rapids in a deep desert canyon. Bighorn sheep and cougars wander through sagebrush at the base of sheer-walled volcanic canyons, nearly twice the height of the Washington Monument.
Guides point out herds of antelope, birds of prey, and other distinct wildlife who visit the river for sustenance. Add stellar archaeological sites, unique geology, and hot springs, and this trip fulfills all the requirements for one of the world’s most remarkable river journeys.
Hawaiian trappers were first sent into the canyon in 1820, never to return. The harsh environment and challenging rapids proved treacherous for future explorations, allowing the region to remain untouched for generations. While miners ventured into the deep layers of basalt, few others have experienced the intrigue of the Owyhee River wilderness.
The only way to see the depths of the colorful Owyhee Wilderness is on a multi-day raft trip down the river.
Our trip begins 5-days travel upstream from Leslie Gulch. Each day, you’ll drift deeper into the wilderness and deeper into your relaxing river routine. You will calmly float along the river’s path between the exciting Class III rapids scattered throughout the 5-day trip. A riverside lunch, prepared by your guides, will replenish energy levels for the afternoon. Pulling into a favorite campsite, your guides set up the kitchen with captivating scenery surrounding you.
In places like Jackson Creek, Chalk Basin, and Green Dragon Canyon, you’ll find colorful side canyons, stunning waterfalls, and scenic ridgelines with amazing views of the river below. Take a hike up a side creek, relax on the beach with a good book, or explore nearby hot springs for a dip in Mother Nature’s hot tub. Your gourmet appetizers and dinner will have you believing you’re in a five-star restaurant. After dinner, it’s time to revel in the day’s adventures, tell stories by the fire, and drift off to your personal stargazer’s paradise.
You’ll wake up to this rich environment with an itinerary of relaxing, exploring, and enjoying the river for the next five days.
Take your vacation on the river and bask in a remote wilderness for five days with good food, good times, and good people.
For additional trip details and a packing list, take a look at our Owyhee River Information Packet. Or, give us a call at 1-877-390-9445. We would love to answer any questions you might have!
Itinerary
Owyhee River Rafting: A Typical Day
Rafting on Oregon’s Owyhee River is all about exploring this impressive canyon. Towering canyon walls, fantastic Class III whitewater rapids, and stretches of meandering desert scenery create a truly unique wilderness experience. White water rapids, such as Bull’s Eye, Whistling Bird, and Montgomery, put up a big show with large waves and boulders, while natural hot springs offer a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery.
A lunch buffet prepared by your five-star guides restores your energy for more river play and enjoyment in the afternoon.
Landing at camp in the afternoon, your guides will provide camp comforts and exquisite meals while you relax by the river’s edge. There is always time for games of frisbee or bocce ball as you nibble on appetizers and your guides prepare the evening meal. Eagles soar in the skies as you enjoy your warm and tasty dinner. The sun sets behind the canyon walls as you sink even deeper into the wilderness and the gentle lull of the river’s flow.
General Itinerary
The trip meets in the morning at the Rome Launch Site/ Put-In. We’ll pass out waterproof dry bags, help you pack your gear for the trip, and make the final preparations for our river journey (packing boats, rafting orientation from your guides, handing out river gear) before heading downstream.
The trip starts with a nice float from our Rome Valley launch until we enter the first of many gorges. Look for Golden Eagles’ nests high on the canyon walls. Lunch on our first day will be riverside before entering the first canyon. After running thrilling rapids, such as Bullseye and Upset, we’ll arrive at our first camp in time to enjoy a hike or relax and listen to the river pass by before preparing a delicious evening meal.
Each day we will follow a similar routine. In the morning, you will be awakened by the sunlight creeping down the canyon walls toward your tent and the rich smell of morning coffee and tea. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we’ll pack our personal gear, load the rafts, and prepare ourselves for another amazing day on the river. We’ll encounter thrilling rapids and enjoy the Owyhee’s incredible geology and canyon scenery, with opportunities for side hikes or relaxing soaks in natural hot springs. Each day we will find a nice riverside lunch spot to replenish our energy levels for more river adventure. In the early afternoon, it will be time to choose one of the many unique and beautiful camps the Owyhee offers. Many of the camps provide excellent hiking opportunities for those interested. In places like Jackson Creek, Chalk Basin, and Green Dragon Canyon, you’ll find colorful side canyons, stunning waterfalls, and scenic ridgelines with amazing views of the river below. After dinner, it’s time to revel in the day’s adventures, tell stories by the fire, or drift off to your personal stargazer’s paradise.
We start our final day on the river in the usual style, with a tasty breakfast before breaking camp and loading the rafts. On our way downstream, we’ll enjoy a leisurely pace as we drift toward our take-out. Upon reaching Birch Creek, we will de-rig the rafts and load the equipment onto our shuttle vehicles. Before we leave, don’t forget to toast the river for yet another amazing descent of this whitewater gem! Your vehicle will be at the take-out, so wear some dry clothes and enjoy the spectacular scenery on the drive home.
We will be off the river around lunchtime. You’re welcome to enjoy one last lunch with us at the take-out before saying “goodbyes”.
* Exact camp locations and daily river mileage will vary with water levels and river conditions.
Make your next vacation a multi-day river trip on Oregon’s famed Owyhee River and bask in a remote wilderness for five days with good food, good times, and good people.
For additional trip details, give us a call at 1-877-390-9445. We’re happy to answer any questions you have!
Dates & Pricing
2024 Trip Dates4-Day Owyhee Guide School Trip: April 20 – April 23 (this trip is part of Wet Planet’s guide school) 5-Day Owyhee River Trips:
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Please note: Some dates may be available as private charter launches for you and your family, friends, or work group. Please call the office to inquire!
Pricing
5-Day Trips
$1,495/person
What’s Provided
- All meals on the river, from breakfast on the first day to lunch on the last day
- Rafts and guides
- River equipment: personal floatation devices (PFDs), helmets, paddles
- All camping gear not listed in the personal packing list: group gear, kitchen equipment, tents, sleeping pads, camp chairs
- Dry Bags for your clothes (1 large bag and 1 small bag)
- Beverages including water, OJ, lemonade/Gatorade, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and hot cider (you can BYOB, too!)
What You Are Responsible For
- Transportation to Rome, OR before the trip and from Birch Creek, OR after your trip
- Lodging in Salmon the night before the trip and in McCall the night after your trip
- Personal clothing and miscellaneous gear (see Packing Guide for suggestions)
- Personal beverages (feel free to bring canned versions of your favorite beverages. No bottles, please. If you would like to bring wine, please make sure it is in a box or bag. Liquor can be transferred into plastic or aluminum bottles for safe transport.)
Food Allergies
Beyond our standard menu, we can provide options for medically-necessary allergy-restricted diets for a supplemental menu fee of $100/person. However, we cannot always offer the same diversity or sophistication for restricted diets as our regular menu. Similarly, certain allergen-free snack foods are difficult or impossible to source in rural locations, so feel free to bring your favorite snacks to supplement our provisions. Due to the constraints of cooking for a large group in a wilderness setting, the availability of ingredients or specialty items in remote locations, and limited packing space, we are unable to cater to dietary preferences (likes or dislikes). Please keep in mind that by selecting a restricted diet, you are committing to eating specially-made meals for the duration of the trip. We only bring enough of our standard meals for those without restricted diets, so changing diets mid-trip will not be accommodated.
We cannot guarantee that cross-contamination from allergens will not occur during meal prep. If this is a consideration, please get in touch with us to discuss the potential for a medical emergency caused by a severe food allergy.
Available To Rent
| Sleeping Bag | Synthetic and comfortable! | $25 |
| Rain Gear | Rain jacket Rain pants |
$25 |
| Wet Planet Comfort Kit | Sleeping bag Rain jacket Rain pants Small camp pillow Groundsheet |
$40 |
Make your next vacation a multi-day river trip on Oregon’s famed Owyhee River and bask in a remote wilderness for five days with good food, good times, and good people.
For additional trip details, give us a call at 1-877-390-9445. We’re happy to answer any questions you have!
Logistics
The Owyhee River – Getting There and Back Home
Our Owyhee River trip will meet on the morning of our launch day at the Rome Launch Site/Put-In, roughly 32 miles west of Jordan Valley, OR.
The trip will be taking out (ending) at Birch Creek Ranch. All personal and rental vehicles will be at the take-out with your personal items so you can get on the road from the take-out instead of having to be shuttled back to Rome.
Arriving by Plane?
The nearest airport is in Boise, ID (115 miles from Rome), which most major airlines service. Car rentals are available at the Boise Airport – no public transportation from Boise to/from the river exists.
Vehicle Shuttle
While on the river, you will need to have your vehicle shuttled to the take-out point by our shuttle service. This convenient service allows you to arrive at the take-out with your vehicle and personal items waiting, saving you many hours of out-of-the-way travel to return to the launch site. The shuttle fee is approximately $200 per vehicle. You will pay the shuttle fee directly to the shuttle service at the start of the trip, but we will facilitate and arrange the service.
* Please provide us with your vehicle’s make, model, color, and license plate information at least one week before the trip.
Getting There
The Rome Launch Site/Put-In is roughly 32 miles west of Jordan Valley, OR. The launch site is on the Owyhee River, where Hwy 95 crosses the river at Rome; there is not much else around, so it is not difficult to find.
Here is the Google map location for the put-in.
From Portland
- Take I-84 East
- Take exit 16 and turn right on 238th
- Continue on NE 242nd, left on Burnside, and then continue on US-26 E for 129 miles
- Right on OR-126 W, then left onto Hwy 20 E for 102 miles
- Take 78 E for 90 miles, then left on US-95 N for 12.5 miles
- The Rome launch site will be on the right-hand side. Allow 6 hours and 45 minutes
From Boise
- Take I-84 West toward Ontario
- Take exit 35 for Northside Blvd, then turn right onto Northside Blvd
- Take a left at W. Karcher Rd, continue onto Sunnyslope Rd, and then onto ID-55 S
- Take a left at US-95 S, and follow US-95 S for around 77 miles.
- The Rome launch site will be on the left-hand side. Allow 2.5 hours for the drive
From Seattle
- Take I-90 East towards Bellevue/Spokane for 108 miles
- Take a slight right at US-97, and follow signs for I-82 East. Stay on I-82 East for 142 miles
- Take the exit onto I-84 East towards Pendleton, and stay on I-84 East for 200 miles
- Take exit 3 for US-95 South towards Payette/Parma
- Follow signs to stay on US-95 for 110 miles
- The Rome launch site will be on the left-hand side. Allow 9 hours
From Tri-Cities
- Take I-82 E towards Pendleton/Umatilla for 30 miles
- Take the exit into I-84 East towards Pendleton, and stay on 1-84 E for 200 miles
- Take exit 3 for US-95S towards Payette/Parma
- Follow signs to stay on US-95 S for 110 miles
- The Rome launch site will be on the left-hand side. Allow 5 hours and 40 minutes
Getting Back Home
Our Owyhee trip will be taking out at Birch Creek Ranch. All personal and rental vehicles will be at the take-out with all of your personal items so you can get on the road from the take-out instead of having to be shuttled back to Rome.
Here is the Google Maps location for the Birch Creek take-out.
From Birch Creek to US-95 N Junction:
- Follow the gravel road to US-95 (you can follow the Wet Planet vehicles)
- 4-wheel drive is required
- Allow about 1 hour 20 minutes
From US-95 N Junction to Portland:
- Take a left onto US-95 N
- Follow signs to stay on US-95 N, about 53 miles
- Merge onto I-84 W toward Ontario
- Stay on I-84 for about 370 miles; This will take you into the city center or connect you to I-5 or I-205
- Allow about 7 hours and 15 minutes
From US-95 Junction to Boise:
- Take a left onto US-95 N
- Turn right at ID-55 N
- Follow signs to stay on ID-55
- Merge onto I-84 East toward Boise
- Allow about 1 hour and 20 minutes
From US-95 Junction to Seattle:
- Take a left onto US-95 N
- Follow signs to stay on US-95 N
- Merge onto I-84 West, and stay on I-84 W for 200 miles
- Take exit 179 onto I-82 W toward Umatilla/Kennewick
- Stay on I-82 for 142 miles
- Merge onto I-90 West and stay on for 107 miles. This will meet up with I-5
- Allow about 8 hours and 20 minutes
From US-95 Junction to Tri-Cities:
- Take a left onto US-95 N
- Follow signs to stay on US-95
- Merge onto I-84 West, and stay on for 200 miles
- Take exit 179 onto I-82 W toward Umatilla/Kennewick
- Allow about 5 hours
Travel Insurance
Sometimes life happens, so we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to guard against any surprises (unexpected late cancellations, travel delays, medical emergencies, etc.).
Past Wet Planet guests have reported good experiences using Travel Guard (www.travelguard.com) and Travel Insurance Services (select.travelinsure.com).
Make your next vacation a multi-day river trip on Oregon’s famed Owyhee River and bask in a remote wilderness for five days with good food, good times, and good people.
For additional trip details, give us a call at 1-877-390-9445. We’re happy to answer any questions you have!
Packing Guide
While we provide all group camping equipment and meals (including tents, sleeping pads, and camp chairs), you will need to provide clothing and personal gear for off the river and at camp. Below is a suggested packing list to use for your river expedition.
Layers
Always be prepared for changing weather! Appropriate clothing on a multi-day river trip is essential for comfort and risk management. While on the river, we could experience warm sunny days, cold rainy days, or anything in between. We need to be prepared for all possibilities. When planning your trip, try using the “layering system.” By bringing clothing that can be worn under or on top of others in layers, you will have the flexibility to adjust to various weather conditions. Make sure you have warm layers made of synthetic materials (not cotton), such as polypropylene, Capilene, or wool. Cotton does not keep you warm when it is wet!
River Gear
We will provide your river gear: wetsuit, booties, paddle jacket, helmet, and PFD (personal flotation device). We will also provide a dry bag (like a large waterproof backpack) to protect your belongings from the water.
Essential Gear
- Warm sleeping bag (available for rent for $25)
- Rain Jacket and Pants (available for rent for $25)
- One or two T-shirts
- One pair of shorts for camp and hiking
- One set of long-sleeved light clothes (for sun and camp)
- Pants for camp (can be same as above)
- Synthetic thermal underwear layers (top & bottom)
- Down or synthetic jacket (puffy and warm but compressible for packing)
- Fleece or pile top & bottom for camp (top can be pullover or jacket)
- Fleece pullover or jacket to wear on the river, under your paddle jacket
- Swimsuit
- One pair of waterproof shoes/boots (for off-river if it is raining)
- One pair of lightweight hiking shoes (for off-river in good weather – can be same as above)
- Wool or polypro/Capilene/fleece socks (stay away from cotton)
- Shade hat/visor (baseball cap)
- Warm hat and gloves for camp
- Thin wool or synthetic hat for on river under the helmet
- Sunglasses with securing strap
- Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing
- Suntan/moisturizing lotion
- Chapstick with SPF
- Insect repellent
- Water bottle with securing strap (1-liter minimum, more if hiking)
- Flashlight/small headlamp & extra batteries
- Personal medications
- Toiletries (keep to a minimum)
- Small hand/face towel (optional)
Optional Items
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Diary or sketchbook
- Book
- Small daypack or fanny pack for hikes
- Small travel pillow
- Musical instrument
- Liquor, beer, or wine: you will need to provide your own alcoholic beverages! See below for more info
Optional Rental – Wet Planet Comfort Kit: sleeping bag, rain jacket, rain pants, small camp pillow, groundsheet ($40)
Optional Rental – Wet Planet Comfort Kit: sleeping bag, rain jacket, rain pants, small camp pillow, ground sheet ($40)
Optional Items: Sandals or flip-flops, binoculars, diary, sketchbook, a good paperback book, camera, paddling jacket & pants, small travel pillow, or musical instrument.
Beverages
Wet Planet will have coffee and tea ready for you every morning. Water and lemonade/punch/Gatorade will be available throughout the day. At dinner, hot drinks will be available (hot cocoa, hot cider, tea), and a bottle of wine for the group.
If you would like additional personal beverages at camp, such as soda, beer, wine, liquor, etc., you’re welcome to bring your own. We will have a cooler with us to put beverages in. No glass bottles; broken glass and rafts don’t mix! Wine should be in bags/boxes, and other adult beverages can be transferred from glass bottles to plastic or aluminum containers before taking them on the river. Personal drinks can be purchased in Salmon before the trip if needed.
Gratuities
Your guide team will work hard to ensure your river experience exceeds your expectations. If you had a fantastic trip and feel your guides did an incredible job, post-trip gratuities are an appreciated way of saying “thank you.” Tips commonly range from 5 to 15 percent of the trip cost but should always be based on your satisfaction, financial comfort, and personal attitudes about gratuities. It is common to leave gratuities with the lead guide at the end of the trip, and they will distribute them among the team.
Make your next vacation a multi-day river trip on Oregon’s famed Owyhee River and bask in a remote wilderness for five days with good food, good times, and good people.
For additional trip details, give us a call at 1-877-390-9445. We’re happy to answer any questions you have!
TRIP REVIEW
“I can’t say enough about this outfitter! We just keep coming back for more adventures. Just returned from the Owyhee Multi-day trip. The trip was fantastic! The service amazing! The guides were skilled and knowledgeable about the unique geology, The guides were instructive – allowing some of the guest to oar the rafts making for amazing experience and young teenager that is now dreaming of being a river raft guide. The staff were up first and down last. They were not only pleasant, but genuinely interesting people and engaging staff with all the guests! They got along with each other and we enjoyed their company. They were attentive to everyone’s needs, no matter the allergies or special dietary requests. More than one guest commented that they were eating better on this back country trip than at home. Thanks to Gianni! And then there were the hikes with the most beautiful views! If you want an incredible experience, with the nice comforts that make the back country enjoyable – this is absolutely the outfitter to go with!”
- Michele K. from Portland, ORTRIP PHOTOS
