Lake Owyhee State Park

Lake Owyhee State Park spans 2,000 acres (809 hectares) along a 53-mile (85 kilometer) reservoir nestled within deep canyons carved by volcanic rock. The water sits surrounded by steep canyon walls where multicolored lava layers and reddish-orange rock formations define the landscape.

The Owyhee Dam was completed in 1932, creating the reservoir system that has provided irrigation for agricultural development across eastern Oregon. The structure marked a turning point in the economic use of this remote desert region.

The name Owyhee honors Hawaiian workers who died during a Hudson's Bay Company expedition in this region in 1819. This naming tradition preserves the memory of early encounters between European traders and people of the Pacific region.

The park has two campgrounds with electrical hookups, boat ramps, and water facilities, typically open from April through October. Visitors should check weather conditions and expect extreme heat and limited shade at this desert location.

The most striking rock formations are only reachable by boat and reveal fascinating color contrasts in the canyon walls created by different phases of volcanic activity. This water route exposes layers and color shifts that remain completely hidden from the shore.