Powder Wild and Scenic River | Oregon

Overview:

Flowing 11.7 miles from Thief Valley dam to highway 203 in Oregon’s Baker County, the wild and scenic Powder River cuts a weathered canyon in places up to 500 feet deep. Access is limited, so cross-country travel may be required to get to the heart of Powder River country; however, one is rewarded with plenty of solitude for the effort.

Know Before You Go:

• Check locally for access to the Powder River; avoid trespassing by obtaining permission to cross private property.
• The river is sometimes kayaked during the Spring runoff period, which can be a very limited period of time. Only highly-skilled boaters should attempt kayaking the Powder River.
• When recreating on public lands, please practice Leave-No-Trace principles.

Point of Interest:

Long before the arrival of pioneers and settlers, the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Nez Perce Indians utilized the hunting and fishing grounds along the length of the Powder River.