The South Fork Owyhee River enters Idaho from the north enclosed within a 550 foot deep canyon. The canyon is both basalt and rhyolite. Within the canyon there are beautiful rock pinnacles and hoodoos. This stretch of river is known as an outstanding wilderness river experience because of the canyon’s scenic qualities, solitude opportunities, wildlife viewing, and length of trip available.

Along this fork, 31 miles are designated wild, from the Idaho-Nevada border (the upstream boundary of the Owyhee River Wilderness) to the confluence with the main Owyhee River.