Owyhee County, Administrative county in southwestern Idaho, United States
Owyhee County is an administrative region in southwestern Idaho that spans diverse terrain including mountains, desert areas, and deep river canyons. The landscape combines different geographic features with plateaus and rugged formations that shape how the county is physically organized.
The county was established in 1863 as the first county under Idaho Territory Legislature, officially organizing the region. Over time, the county seat moved from Ruby City to Silver City and eventually to Murphy, reflecting shifts in settlement patterns.
Western Shoshone, Northern Paiute, and Bannock peoples made this land their home for generations, and their presence still shows in place names and local stories today. When you travel through the river valleys and mountain passes, you can sense the deep connection these communities had with the landscape.
The region is connected by a network of highways to neighboring areas, making travel and navigation straightforward. Visitors should know that some parts are remote, so planning ahead is important if you want to explore outdoor areas like canyons and hiking trails.
The name comes from early Hawaiian fur trappers who explored this region during 19th-century trading expeditions. This surprising connection between the distant Pacific and this isolated mountain land remains embedded in the county's identity.
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