Guides/Overland routes/Oregon
Overland route104 midifficulty: moderate

Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway

RegionOregonAlso inIdahoAgencyBureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway — overland route near Jordan Valley, Oregon, Oregon
Photo by Aaron Cowan / BLM via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
104mi
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance vehicle. 4WD useful after rain or snow; the road is graded gravel but turns to mud quickly.
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
None on the byway
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The Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway is a 104-mile graded gravel road through the Owyhee Canyonlands of southeastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho, running between Jordan Valley, Oregon and Grand View, Idaho. Locally called the Mud Flat Road, it crosses one of the largest expanses of unfragmented public land in the lower 48 — over 500,000 acres of designated wilderness flanked by four wilderness areas and three Wild and Scenic Rivers.

The byway is graded gravel, suitable for high-clearance two-wheel-drive in dry conditions. Spring and summer thunderstorms turn the road's clay sections to mud that traps vehicles for days. There is one developed campground (North Fork Recreation Site, 30 miles east of Jordan Valley); otherwise dispersed camping is the norm. The Owyhee Canyonlands hold one-fifth of the world's California Bighorn Sheep population.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Mud. The clay binder turns to slick mud after rain or snowmelt. Vehicles get stranded for days waiting for the road to dry.
  • Remote terrain. No services for 100+ miles. Mechanical trouble means a long wait or a satellite call.
  • Heat. Summer temperatures top 100°F with no shade.
  • Snow. Winter brings snow that closes the byway informally from December through March.
  • No cell coverage. A satellite messenger is appropriate.
  • Tire damage. Rocky sections in the canyons puncture sidewalls.
  • Wildfire. The sagebrush burns hot and fast. Fire restrictions are common in late summer.

Location

104 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 42.973, -117.054

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyBureau of Land Management
Nearest townJordan Valley, Oregon
Websitewww.blm.gov/visit/owyhee-uplands-backcountry-byway
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug
Approx. location42.973, -117.054

Getting there

Directions

Western access (Jordan Valley, Oregon). From Boise, drive south on Interstate 84 to Caldwell, then south on US-95 for 100 miles to Jordan Valley. The byway begins as Mud Flat Road heading east out of town.

Eastern access (Grand View, Idaho). From Boise, drive south on State Highway 67 to Mountain Home, then west on State Highway 78 to Grand View. The byway joins SR-78 at Grand View.

Approximate western entrance coordinates: 42.973° N, -117.054° W.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway sits at the corner of three states — southeastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho, and northern Nevada. Jordan Valley anchors the western entrance on US-95; Grand View, Idaho marks the eastern end on State Highway 78. Between them is some of the lowest-population country in the contiguous US: roughly 500,000 acres of designated wilderness, the Owyhee River with its three Wild and Scenic segments, and almost no settlement. Bend, Oregon is 250 miles west; Boise is 90 miles north.

Trail Overview

The road climbs out of Jordan Valley through stands of juniper and mountain mahogany, crests onto a sagebrush plateau, then drops into and out of the Owyhee River canyon system. Sections of the byway sit at 6,000 feet; the canyons drop to 4,000 feet. The graded surface is consistent across most of the route; the issue is the clay binder, which turns slick after rain. Driving the full byway without stops takes four to five hours. Most travelers spend a night camping at North Fork or dispersed and split the trip.

The byway connects to many spurs and side roads that access the wilderness areas — Owyhee River, Owyhee Canyon, North Fork Owyhee River, and the Pole Creek areas. These spurs need 4WD and rougher tires.

Points of Interest

  • North Fork Recreation Site. The only developed campground on the byway, 30 miles east of Jordan Valley.
  • Owyhee River canyons. Multiple side roads drop into the canyon system.
  • Three Forks of the Owyhee. A confluence with thermal springs, accessed from a rough spur off the byway.
  • California Bighorn Sheep range. The Owyhees host one-fifth of the world population.
  • Sage grouse leks. Active in spring; respect viewing distance and timing.
  • Petroglyph sites. Scattered through the Owyhee Canyonlands. Federally protected.

Where to Camp

North Fork Recreation Site is the only developed campground on the byway, with vault toilets and informal sites. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the BLM land surrounding the byway with the 14-day stay limit. The wilderness areas allow dispersed camping but exclude motorized travel. Three Forks has informal camping near the thermal springs.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Visit May, June, September, or October. Summer brings thunderstorms; winter brings snow and impassable mud.
  • Check the forecast. Even a brief storm can strand vehicles in clay mud for days.
  • Carry a full spare tire, recovery gear, and at least one extra day of food and water.
  • Top off fuel in Jordan Valley or Grand View. There is no fuel on the byway.
  • Cell service is absent. Carry a satellite messenger or PLB for solo travel.
  • Watch for wildlife. Bighorn sheep, sage grouse, and pronghorn cross the road.
  • Stay on designated routes off the byway. Driving off-road into the wilderness areas is a federal violation.
  • Contact the BLM Vale District (Oregon) at 541-473-3144 or BLM Boise District (Idaho) at 208-384-3300 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway?
Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway is rated moderate. The route runs 104 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway?
High-clearance vehicle. 4WD useful after rain or snow; the road is graded gravel but turns to mud quickly.
When is the best time to visit Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway?
The best months are May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug.
Is there cell service at Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway?
None on the byway