Bruneau Field Office

Recreation Sites & Activities

Hunting in Wilderness areas 
Wilderness and Wild & Scenic Rivers designated, March 2009


Visitors to the area around Bruneau in southwest Idaho can enjoy bird watching, camping, big game and upland bird hunting, hiking, OHV riding, horseback riding, whitewater boating and driving for pleasure. Recreational opportunities in the Bruneau Field Office are generally dispersed and without constructed facilities, but visitors willing to take the time to explore and discover this region will be treated to impressive views of the Owyhee Mountains, Plateau and Canyonlands.

The Poison Creek Picnic Site is the area's only developed recreation site, with shaded picnic tables, fire grates, a vault toilet and a short trail.  Indian Hot Springs and the Bruneau River Overlook, two interesting undeveloped sites, don’t have facilities but are well worth the time of an adventurous traveler.

The Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway, also called the Mud Flat Road, is a scenic driving tour across the Owyhee Plateau and Canyonlands. It traverses 92 miles in Idaho and 12 miles in Oregon.  The Byway enables visitors to explore different vegetative zones, including juniper and mahogany stands and sagebrush and aspen-covered plateaus.

Recreation Sites & Activities

Recreation sites mapVisitors should take proper precautions when visiting this harsh, remote environment. Cell phone coverage is unlikely. There is also limited signage. Recreationists are encouraged to explore off the beaten path and camping is allowed in non-designated areas on BLM land. To ensure a safe trip, visitors should arrive prepared with proper equipment, maps, compasses, clothing, and knowledge of the general area and weather conditions.

Finally, to help care for and protect this fragile environment, please make sure to “leave no trace” and “pack out what you pack in.” Decrease the chance of contaminating the water quality and minimize wildlife disturbance by camping at least 200 feet from streams. With these recommendations in mind, the information on this website can help guide your exploration of the public lands managed by BLM’s Bruneau Field Office.  Enjoy!!

Bruneau Field Office  |  3948 Development Avenue  |  Boise, ID 83705
208-384-3300  |  Fax: 208-384-3493  |  Office hours: 7:45am - 4:30pm, M-F