North Fork Owyhee Wilderness

The landscape within the North Fork Owyhee Wilderness, in the southwest part of Idaho near the Oregon border, is diverse, ranging from river canyons over a thousand feet deep to vast expanses of sagebrush and grassland plateaus. Elevations range from about 4,800 to 6,800 feet. This ecosystem provides habitat for sage grouse, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, songbirds, raptors, and numerous rare plant species. The river canyons in Owyhee County have been called the largest concentration of sheer-walled volcanic rhyolite and basalt canyons in the western United States. Many are more than 1,000 feet deep, nearly twice as deep as the Washington Monument is tall. River enthusiasts come from around the country to challenge the famous white water rapids of these rivers. The area can receive upwards of 4.25 inches of precipitation annually. Summer temperatures typically range from 40 to 80 degrees F, and 25 to 60 degrees in spring and fall. Winters can become quite cold, with average temperatures ranging from 15 to 35 degrees. There are no designated trails in the North Fork Owyhee Wilderness.