Hiding in the southwestern corner of is one of Idaho’s most underappreciated gems. The Owyhee Canyonlands is an epic landscape full of canyons, mountains, rivers, desert, and more. Despite its majestic beauty, this area of the Gem State goes mostly unnoticed (especially compared to places like the Sawtooths or Frank Church Wilderness). It’s time for that to change. If you have yet to explore this incredible area, plan a trip as soon as possible. There’s a lot to see, but luckily the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway makes it easy for you see it in the span of just one day. Take a look.
If you've been itching for an epic adventure, you'll definitely want to plan a trip along the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway. This is by far the best way to experience the majesty of the Owyhee Canyonlands. It spans from Grand View, Idaho to Jordan Valley, Oregon and takes a full day to complete.
The Owyhee Canyonlands is composed of six wilderness areas that make up 517,000 acres of intense natural beauty and wonder. As you depart from Grand View, you'll first come upon the Little Jacks Creek Wilderness Area—an underrated gem that most people don't even know about.
Little Jacks Creek is full of hiking trails that lead you across the rugged canyon landscape. You'll be struck by just how remote this area of Idaho is. It makes you feel like you're a million miles away from civilization.
Next you'll come across the Pole Creek Wilderness. You'll find this area full of historic sites along with abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery. The rocky landscape looks like something from a different world!
Traversing the entire byway takes about six hours in its entirety. However, there are so many treasures to be found along the way that you'll want to plan an entire weekend devoted to exploring the area. A short side trip off of the byway will lead you to the ghost town of Wickahoney—an incredible sight of old, dilapidated structures.
As you cruise along the byway, you'll be treated to the most jaw-dropping views that Idaho can offer. The mighty Owyhee River carves out some of the most epic canyon walls you've ever seen.
The byway gives you access to 16 wild and scenic rivers. Most notably featured is the Owyhee River and its several forks. The North Fork gorge is a great destination for fishing, kayaking, rafting, and more.
The Owyhee Canyonlands is one of the most pristine wilderness areas left untouched by human hands. This byway lets you see the very best of it. For more information about this incredible 103-mile adventure, you can visit the official BLM map here.
Have you explored the Owyhee Canyonlands? We’re pretty fortunate to live in a state where scenic byways are so easily accessible. Be sure to check out these 11 Scenic Byways In Idaho Everyone Should Drive At Least Once for more epic road trips!
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