South Fork

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

Owyhee River Access — South Fork

The 22-mile South Fork of the Owyhee has a launch site at South Fork Pipeline and a take-out location at 45 Ranch. Visitors interested in a longer trip may choose to put-in at YP Ranch, Nevada to extend their river excursion to a 42-mile trip, or take out at Three Forks, Oregon for a Class IV-V run of 70 miles. Spring and early summer provide the best flows (1,500-8,000 cfs for rafts and 500-8,000 cfs for canoes and kayaks) for floating this section. A combination of class II and III whitewater create gentle to intermediate rapids. There are no portages for rafts or kayaks, but some portaging of open canoes may be required at the Class III rapids.

Name	Location	Specifics
YP Ranch	Private property 13 miles south of the Idaho-Nevada border.	• Private landowner permission required; • Site accessible by high-clearance, 2WD vehicles, off Highway 225.
Nevada Pipeline Crossing see map	Four miles south of Idaho-Nevada border.	• Access - Rough, dirt roads off Highway 225. • Road impassable when wet. • Roads accessible by only high-clearance 4WD vehicles. • No trailers.
45 Ranch see map	Private property with an easement for public access, 12 miles north of the Idaho-Nevada border.	• Accessible by high-clearance, 2WD vehicles when roads are dry.