Owyhee River, River system in southwestern Idaho, United States.
The Owyhee River is a river system in southwestern Idaho that flows for several hundred miles through diverse terrain. It cuts through deep canyons with steep volcanic walls that shape the character of the entire landscape.
The name comes from Hawaiian trappers who explored the region in the early 1800s. These early travelers left their mark on the geography even though their time here was brief.
The river was essential to Shoshone and Bannock peoples as a source of food and travel. Today, visitors can see how the landscape and water shape daily activities for those who live nearby.
The river is best for paddling and swimming in spring when water levels are ideal. In summer, visitors can fish in clear pools or walk along the banks and explore the canyons at a relaxed pace.
A rare forget-me-not species grows only in the shaded cracks of the rock walls here. This plant exists nowhere else and has adapted perfectly to these harsh volcanic cliffs.
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