Black Canyon Wilderness, Wilderness area in Ochoco National Forest, Oregon, US.

Black Canyon Wilderness is a 13,400-acre protected area in Ochoco National Forest, within the South Fork John Day River drainage in Grant and Wheeler counties. Elevations run from 2,850 to 6,483 feet, and about 80 percent of the terrain has a grade above 30 percent, forming steep canyons and sharp ridges. Much of it is dry sagebrush, with ponderosa pine, mountain mahogany, juniper and fir forests.

The area was designated as a protected wilderness in 1984 through the Oregon Wilderness Act. This action ensured its undeveloped state and natural ecosystems would remain preserved.

The wilderness preserves natural habitats where visitors can observe wildlife in their natural environment, including black bears, cougars, deer, and elk populations.

About 17 miles (27 km) of developed trail cross the wilderness, and roughly 80 percent of the terrain has a grade above 30 percent, so expect steep canyon and ridge walking. Elevations run from 2,850 to 6,483 feet (869 to 1,976 m). Plan routes around the steep grades and carry water for the dry sagebrush sections.

Steelhead trout spawn in the wilderness's perennial streams, which flow year-round; the surrounding gorge was cut by water through basalt lava. The fish are anadromous rainbow trout, not a separate species, and the streams they use are permanent rather than seasonal.