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Overnight Rafting Trips
Evening sun lighting a tall orange and red canyon wall above sagebrush and a dark river.
Late light on the canyon walls is the reward for a day on the water.

Oregon and Idaho · Owyhee Wild and Scenic River

Owyhee River rafting trips

A remote desert canyon with hot springs and a short spring season. Every Owyhee outfitter we could find, side by side.

3 to 8 days / 2 to 7 nights
States
Oregon and Idaho
Trip length
3 days, 2 nights to 8 days, 7 nights
Whitewater
Lower: Class II to IV, per the BLM
Season
March to early June, by water
River miles
Rome to Birch Creek 50; to Leslie Gulch about 68
Permit
Free self registration, no lottery
Compare outfittersGuided trip or lottery?

Quick answer

Guided Owyhee River rafting trips run 3 days, 2 nights to 8 days, 7 nights, almost all in April and May, during a short spring season. Most run the Lower Owyhee from Rome, Oregon. We found 18 outfitters. There is no lottery. Listed prices start at $950 per person (checked September 2026).

The route

Rome to Leslie Gulch

The Lower Owyhee is the section most outfitters run. American Whitewater's named rapids sit near the middle, and trips end at Birch Creek or continue to Leslie Gulch.

  1. Mile 0RomeLaunch, Oregon
  2. Mile 31.1Whistling BirdClass III
  3. Mile 33.5MontgomeryClass III+
  4. Mile 50Birch CreekTake out
  5. Mile 68Leslie GulchTake out
  1. Day 1
  2. Day 2
  3. Day 3
  4. Day 4
  5. Day 5

River miles and classes from American Whitewater; the BLM gives 50 miles to Birch Creek and 19 more to Leslie Gulch. Shown for a 5 day, 4 night trip. Camps are set by the outfitter.

Compare outfitters

Every Owyhee River outfitter we found, side by side

The BLM does not publish an Owyhee outfitter list that we could find. This table comes from each outfitter's own site, with the section each trip runs, listed alphabetically.

Owyhee River rafting outfitters with sections, trip lengths in days and nights, boats, season, minimum age and lowest listed price
OutfitterTrip lengthsBoatsSeasonMin ageFrom, per adultBook
America's Rafting CompanyLower: 4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nightsOar, paddle, inflatable kayakApril to June7$1,5754 day, 3 night trip; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with America's Rafting
Barker River Expeditions5 days, 4 nights to 7 days, 6 nights; section not statedNot listedApril to early JuneNot listed$2,0905 day, 4 night trip, 2026. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Barker River
Deschutes River AdventuresLower, Rome to Leslie Gulch: 5 days, 4 nightsOar, paddle, inflatable kayakLate April to mid May8$1,5502027; 6 guest minimum; runs at 800 cfs or more. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Deschutes River Adv.
Far and Away AdventuresLower or Middle: 4 days, 3 nights; Upper East Fork: 5 days, 4 nightsRaft; inflatable kayak on the UpperAprilNot listed$2,800All inclusive; April 2026 dates. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Far and Away
High Country ExpeditionsLower, Rome to Birch Creek or Leslie Gulch: 5 days, 4 nightsOar, paddle; inflatable kayak at low waterApril to May8$1,725Year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with High Country
Little Creek OutfittersLower, Rome to Birch Creek or Leslie Gulch: 5 days, 4 nightsRaft, inflatable kayakApril to early MayNot listed$1,8752026. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Little Creek
Momentum River ExpeditionsLower: 5 days, 4 nightsNot listedApril to May10$1,800Listed as $1,800 to $2,190; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Momentum
Mountain River OutfittersLower, to Leslie Gulch or Birch Creek: 4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nightsOarApril to early MayNot clear (says 12+; lists a youth rate from 7)$1,4955 day, 4 night trip, 2026. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Mountain River
Northwest Rafting CompanyLower, Rome to Birch Creek: 5 days, 4 nightsOar, paddle, inflatable kayakApril12$1,995Year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Northwest Rafting
OARS6 days, 5 nightsOar, dory at suitable water, inflatable kayak, paddleApril and May12$2,3992027. Checked Sep 2026See dates with OARS
Orange Torpedo TripsLower, Rome to the reservoir or Birch Creek: 5 days, 4 nightsInflatable kayak, paddle, oarAprilAdults only$1,899April 2026 date. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Orange Torpedo
Oregon River Experiences4 days, 3 nights to 5 days, 4 nightsOar, paddle, inflatable kayakMarch to May12$1,2204 day, 3 night trip; its two pages list $1,220 and $1,295. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Oregon River Exp.
Ouzel OutfittersLower, Rome to Birch Creek: 5 days, 4 nightsOar, paddle, inflatable kayakApril and May10$1,9952024 rate, the latest shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Ouzel
River DriftersMiddle: 3 days, 2 nights; Lower, Rome to Birch Creek: 4 days, 3 nightsPaddle, oar, inflatable kayakApril and May10 (16 on the Middle)$950Middle Owyhee, 3 day, 2 night trip; Lower listed at $1,050 to $1,150; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with River Drifters
ROW AdventuresLower, Rome to Birch Creek: 5 days, 4 nights; Upper: 7 days, 6 nightsPaddle, oar; inflatable kayak on the UpperLate April to May8 to 16 recommended$2,090Lower, 2027; Upper $3,490. Checked Sep 2026See dates with ROW
Tributary Whitewater ToursLower, Rome to Birch Creek: 4 days, 3 nightsRaftApril to May7$1,4002026. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Tributary
Wet Planet WhitewaterLower, Rome to Leslie Gulch: 5 days, 4 nightsOar, paddleMid April to mid May10$1,8952027. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Wet Planet
Wilderness River OutfittersMiddle: 3 to 4 days; Lower: 5 to 6 days; Upper: 5 to 8 days (nights are days minus one)Oar, packraft, inflatable kayakApril to MayNot listed$1,500Listed as $1,500 to $2,000; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Wilderness River

"Not listed" means we could not find it on the outfitter's site in September 2026. Where a site gives days only, nights are days minus one. Every Owyhee trip depends on spring water; read each outfitter's low water policy before you book.

Not shown: Helfrich River Outfitter and A Helfrich Outfitter (no current dates or prices), and Orange Torpedo's row your own trip, where guests row their own boats. Missing an outfitter? Tell us.

The no lottery way in

Guided trip or private trip?

There is no lottery on the Owyhee. The hard part is timing: the river is runnable only in spring, and a private group has to read the flows, run the shuttle and handle remote take outs on its own.

No lottery

Book a guided trip

How you get a spot
Pick a date with one of the outfitters above and book it.
Low water
Several outfitters move your deposit or refund it if the river is too low.
Trip length
3 days, 2 nights to 8 days, 7 nights on the trips we checked.
Boats and food
The outfitter brings the boats, guides, meals and camp.
Compare Owyhee outfitters

Private permit

Register and go

Permit
A free registration form at the launch site; no lottery.
Group size
Up to 20 people below Rome, 15 above.
Flows
The BLM recommends 800 to 10,000 cfs below Rome.
Take outs
Birch Creek needs four wheel drive; the Leslie Gulch road can close after flash floods.
See the lottery calendar

Sources: the BLM Owyhee, Bruneau and Jarbidge boating guide, the BLM Owyhee Wild and Scenic River page and the BLM self issue permit form.

On the river

What a day on an Owyhee rafting trip looks like

Outfitters describe the Owyhee as remote canyon country, with side hikes and hot springs between rapids.

  1. Morning

    Breakfast in camp, then everything packs back onto the boats.

  2. Midday

    Rapids and calm stretches through the canyon, with lunch on a beach.

  3. Afternoon

    A side hike or a soak at a hot spring on some days, then on to camp.

  4. Evening

    Dinner cooked by the guides and a night far from any town.

What outfitters list as included

  • Guides, boats and life jackets
  • Meals on the river
  • Camp gear
  • The shuttle back from the take out, on many trips

Far and Away sells its trips as all inclusive; Northwest Rafting runs a van back to Rome, about 3 hours. Check each outfitter's list.

Worth checking before you book

  • Travel to Boise, Jordan Valley or Rome
  • The low water and refund policy
  • Sleeping bags
  • Guide tips

More on camp life, meals and the toilet in river camping, and on tips in tipping your guides.

When to go

The Owyhee rafting season

The BLM says the primary float season runs from March through early to mid June, with the best flows between 1,000 and 6,000 cfs at the Rome gauge. Most outfitters schedule trips in April and May.

Flows change from year to year, and several outfitters say low water can cancel a trip. Book with an outfitter that explains its low water policy. See when to go rafting for how seasons compare.

50 miles from Rome to Birch Creek, a common Lower Owyhee take out, according to the BLM.

Who it suits

Which Owyhee trip fits you

First timers

The Lower Owyhee from Rome is Class II to IV, and several outfitters take kids from 7 or 8. See your first overnight rafting trip.

Short on time

Tributary and America's Rafting Company run 4 day, 3 night trips on the Lower. See 3 day rafting trips.

Whitewater seekers

The Middle and Upper Owyhee have Class IV and V rapids and portages. See whitewater camping trips and the whitewater classes guide.

Questions

Owyhee River rafting trip questions

How much does an Owyhee River rafting trip cost?

On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, the lowest listed rate is $950 per person for a 3 day, 2 night Middle Owyhee trip with River Drifters. Lower Owyhee trips of 4 or 5 days list from $1,220 to $2,399. Confirm when booking.

When can you raft the Owyhee?

Only in spring. The BLM says the primary float season runs from March through early to mid June, and American Whitewater says the last two weeks of May are typically the most popular. Most outfitters run in April and May.

Can a trip be cancelled for low water?

Yes, and several outfitters say so plainly. Ouzel says low water occasionally leads to cancellations. Deschutes River Adventures needs at least 800 cfs, and ROW asks May guests to be willing to switch to Hells Canyon. Several offer to move your deposit or refund it.

Do I need a permit to raft the Owyhee?

There is no lottery. Every party, private or guided, fills out a free registration form at the launch site. The BLM limits groups to 20 people below Rome and 15 above it.

How long is a Lower Owyhee trip?

The BLM puts Rome to Birch Creek at 50 miles and Birch Creek to Leslie Gulch at 19 more. Outfitters run 4 days, 3 nights to 6 days, 5 nights on the Lower.

How hard are the rapids?

The BLM rates the Lower Owyhee Class II to IV; American Whitewater says II to III+. American Whitewater lists Whistling Bird (Class III) and Montgomery (Class III+) on the Lower. Above Rome, the BLM rates the Middle Owyhee Class III, IV and V+.

Are there hot springs on the Owyhee?

Yes. The BLM notes natural hot springs in the river system, including the hot spring wetland at Upper Greeley Bar, where camping is limited to one night. Federal and state laws prohibit digging or damming them, the BLM notes.

Where do Owyhee trips start and end?

Lower trips launch at Rome, Oregon, and take out at Birch Creek or Leslie Gulch. Many outfitters meet in Boise, Idaho, the night before; others meet at the Rome launch or in Jordan Valley, Oregon.

What is the minimum age?

It runs from 7 at America's Rafting Company and Tributary to 12 at Northwest Rafting, OARS and Oregon River Experiences. Orange Torpedo runs adult only trips.

Is the Owyhee good for a first overnight trip?

The Lower Owyhee is remote, and its short season is set by the water. It suits first timers who can be flexible on dates. See your first overnight rafting trip for what to expect.

Keep planning

Ready to book

Pick your Owyhee outfitter

Compare trip lengths, boats and minimum ages, then check dates directly with the outfitter.

Compare Owyhee outfittersWhen to go rafting

Written by a Moab river guide and Wilderness First Responder.Last checked