East Fork

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Idaho | Recreation

Owyhee River Access — East Fork

This 74-mile stretch has a boating put-in at Garat Crossing and a take-out point at Three Forks. As an alternative, visitors interested in a shorter trip may take-out at Crutcher’s Crossing for a 39-mile float. Another alternative is to go from Duck Valley Indian Reservation to Crutcher’s Crossing for a 50-mile adventure. Spring and early summer are the best seasons to experience these class III and IV rapids, while the flow is between 500-8,000 cfs. This fork is only recommended for kayaks and whitewater canoes due to two challenging portages located about 7 and 9 miles above the confluence with the South Fork. The most challenging is the Owyhee Falls Portage, which is a one-quarter mile distance with a 500 vertical foot climb. Other portages may also be required at the upper East Fork upstream of Garat Crossing if your launch is made at the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, rather than at Garat Crossing. Deep Creek, one of the East Fork’s major tributary streams, is runnable by kayak or open canoe early in the float season. While floating the secluded East Fork, you are most likely to see falcons, ducks and bighorn sheep.

Name	Location	Specifics
Duck Valley see map	Duck Valley Indian Reservation	• Use of this site requires permission from the Shoshone-Paiute Tribal Office. This office can be reached Monday through Friday at (775) 757-3211.
Garat Crossing see map	Six miles northwest of Duck Valley Indian Reservation near the crossing of the natural gas pipeline.	• Principle launch site of East Fork • Access on rough, dirt roads off highway 225 • Impassable road when wet • Roads only accessible with high clearance 4WD vehicles. The BLM Owyhee Field Office has information on current road conditions. Call (208) 896-5913. • No trailers
Rickert Crossing	Fifteen miles upstream of East Fork confluence with the South Fork.	• Visitors must cross private property to access this site, permission of private landowner required. • Access on rough, dirt roads off Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway. • ¼ mile portage between river and end of road. • Poor access roads. • High clearance 4WD vehicles required, impassable when wet.
Crutcher Crossing see map	Two miles upstream of East Fork’s confluence with the South Fork.	• Access through rough, dirt roads off Highway 225. • Poor access roads, impassable when wet. • High clearance 4WD required. The BLM Owyhee Field Office has information on current road conditions. Call (208) 896-5913. • No trailers.