It’s been three years since we had the pleasure of walking the land of ancient lava flows, constant dryness and deep canyons surrounding the Owyhee River north of Rome.

Owyhee River Canyon (Mark Darnell) By Nigel Jaquiss. September 25, 2024 6:53AM PDT. ... (Congress voted to make 267,000 of the Owyhee River drainage in Idaho a wilderness in 2009.) ...

The canyon harbors the Owyhee River that runs out of the state of Idaho into Oregon, runs about 200 miles, including its tributaries to the north, and eventually runs into the Snake River.

Idaho protected significant parts of the Owyhee in their state in 2009, through the efforts of a similar coalition. We need to do the same for Oregon’s part of the canyonlands.

Southeast Oregon’s high desert is enchanting in fall and there are lots of places to explore off U.S. 95 between Burns Junction and the Oregon-Idaho border.

OWYHEE CANYONLANDS, Ore.—Drive 50 miles from Boise, Idaho, past the suburbs, exurbs and farms into Oregon, and you’ll find yourself in the largest conservation opportunity left in the ...