The high-quality habitat in this area led the Bureau of Land Management to recognize over 1 million acres of the Owyhee as “wilderness areas.” The Owyhee River Oregon is home to more than 200 wildlife species including golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, 14 species of bats, elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope and the largest herd of California bighorn sheep in the nation. In the river anglers will find redband trout, brown trout, mountain whitefish and smallmouth bass.
The Owyhee River has been identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as one of six key strongholds for the Greater sage-grouse in the West. The river’s riparian (river bank) areas are crucial homes for sage-grouse, providing essential resources for nesting and raising their chicks. The distinct soil conditions in the Owyhee region provide ideal habitats for various plant species, such as larkspur, biscuitroot, phlox, penstemon, and sagebrush buttercup. Remarkably, the Owyhee is home to around 28 plant species that are exclusive to this area, including Packard’s blazing star and the Owyhee clover, making it a unique and irreplaceable biodiversity area.
As we embark on our Owyhee River adventures, we gracefully traverse the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Shoshone-Paiute people.
Acknowledging the Indigenous communities whose lands we visit is a crucial step in understanding our shared history and the ongoing challenges faced by these populations today. For more insight, visit our Territory Acknowledgement page. We encourage you to learn about the people whose land we’re privileged to explore by following the links above. Our Territory Acknowledgement is an evolving project. If you find missing information or acknowledgments, please share it with us. Together, we can ensure accuracy, inclusivity, and respect. Thank you.
