The Bruneau
and Owyhee Rivers in Idaho and Oregon are America's most
spectacular desert rivers. Rafting connoisseurs looking for a remote
wilderness river trip, will find few white
water rafting vacations that can compare
with a white water experience on the
Bruneau or Owyhee
Rivers. Whitewater rafting on
these two rivers is as diverse as the flora and fauna on the
neighboring canyon hillsides. From mellow Class II to raging Class V
whitewater and occasional portages, each section on the Bruneau
and Owyhee rivers is unique. Depending on which river section
you choose, these two rivers offer a white
water rafting trip for extreme adventurers as well as one
suitable for families.
Flowing through the Sistine Chapels
of western canyonlands, the remote Bruneau and Owyhee rivers are
among the world's best-kept whitewater rafting
secrets. These dramatic, sheer-walled desert canyons captivate the
soul. Within them is a kaleidoscope of life - wildflowers, birds,
reptiles, beaver, otter, coyote, antelope and big horn sheep.
Years ago native peoples lived in
these canyons and we see boulders where their vivid rock carvings
still remain intact. We ramble through the aging stone cabins of
early pioneers, complete with cook stoves, whiskey bottles and
stories to tell. This is the "wild, wild west" past and present.
Our camps are set on white sand
beaches among twisted juniper trees and sagebrush. As your guides
prepare the evening meal, you may want to soak in a hot spring or
walk up a canyon draw. After dinner, sit around the glowing embers of
the campfire and imagine life here when the Nez Perce ruled these
hills. As pinnacles of rock silhouetted against a soft, turquoise sky
glow crimson in the fading evening sun, the magic takes hold.
ROW's East Fork and South Fork
Owyhee River adventures occur on the most remote river sections and
are more "expeditionary" in style with most guests paddling
their own inflatable kayaks (duckies). The Bruneau and Middle Owyhee
offer the most thrilling whitewater, and the Lower Owyhee has the
most hot springs and gentlest rapids.
Undammed and flowing free, these
rivers are raftable only during the spring snowmelt from April to
June. ROW offers white water rafting trips on four sections of the
Owyhee, the Bruneau and by request, Jarbidge/Bruneau Combination
trips.
For the nature lover and river
connoisseur, these rafting adventures on the Bruneau and Owyhee
Rivers are a dream come true.
