Owyhee Backcountry Byway

The Owyhee Backcountry Byway slices through southeastern Oregon’s high desert wilderness, a landscape so remote it was the last area mapped in the Lower 48. This 101-mile loop winds through volcanic canyons deeper than the Grand Canyon, past natural hot springs that bubble from ancient lava flows, and across sage-covered plateaus where wild mustangs still roam free. The route’s crown jewel is Three Forks, where the Owyhee River’s three branches converge in a spectacular canyon system accessible only by this rugged backcountry road or multi-day river trips.

This is serious remote country requiring high-clearance 4WD and desert driving experience. Sharp volcanic rock can shred tires without warning, and the nearest services are 50+ miles away in Jordan Valley or Rome. Spring and fall offer the best conditions — summer heat exceeds 100°F regularly, while winter brings snow and impassable conditions. Carry extra fuel, water, and repair supplies; cell service is nonexistent throughout most of the route. The payoff is Oregon’s best-kept secret: pristine wilderness, world-class stargazing, and the genuine feeling of driving through country that time forgot.