Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway

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Travel Details

Distance: 101 miles

Time: 3.5 hours, but if time allows, there are several spots along the way for a scenic picnic or overnight camping trip.

When to visit: late spring and early fall. High temperatures can be unforgiving in the summer, and roads in the area may be closed or impassable from the first snow of the season until April.

Highlights: high desert landscapes, juniper woodlands, riparian areas, deep river canyons, Owyhee Mountains, Bruneau Dunes State Park, C.J. Strike Reservoir, historic Silver City.

Services: limited in Grand View and Jordan Valley (gas and a few other services), with food in Bruneau.

Accommodations: available in Mountain Home.

Getting here: Access this byway one of two ways: from the east on Idaho 78 near Grand View or from the west via Highway 95 through Jordan Valley, Oregon. You’ll travel primarily on one to one-and-a-half lanes of gravel road, so choose an experienced driver and watch for potholes, ruts, or washboarding.

Local’s tip: Most vehicles can drive the road without problems, but an SUV or truck with higher clearance and all-wheel drive will handle some sections of the route better. Also, have a properly inflated spare tire and the tools to change it.

Known locally as “Mud Flat Road,” this byway traverses an extremely remote area that can get dicey during bad weather. Come prepared with a full tank of gas, extra food and water, a first aid kit, GPS, and a map. Before setting off, download the BLM’s guide for detailed mileage maps and highlights along the way. 

Fishing and Dark Skies

We recommend beginning your journey in Grand View, 80 miles southwest of Boise and 25 miles from Mountain Home. This starting point will put you near C.J. Strike Reservoir and Bruneau Dunes State Park, both of which are worth a detour. (In terms of accommodations, the Big Idaho Potato Hotel is only a 30-minute jaunt from Grand View — y’know, if you’ve always wanted to stay the night in a famous tater.)

C.J. Strike Reservoir is located at the confluence of the Snake and Bruneau Rivers. This 7,500-acre body of water is notable for its abundant recreational opportunities and appeal to anglers (C.J. Strike has a diverse fish population that includes species such as bass, crappie, and catfish). 

Starting with the Bruneau Shoshone tribes that once inhabited the area now known as Bruneau Dunes State Park, humans have long found inspiration and respite in this special place. It’s particularly appealing for stargazers, as the site was officially designated as an International Dark Sky Park in 2024. 

The park is open year-round, with miles of hiking trails, two fishable lakes, a day use area, three campgrounds, 600 acres of sand dunes, and the tallest single-structured dune in North America. At 470 feet tall, this giant natural wonder merits a climb — and a satisfying sled or sandboard ride to the bottom — if only for the bragging rights. Should you want to explore at an even higher altitude, two public observatories (open from April to October) offer a peek into outer space via two of the most powerful public telescopes in the state.

History

Long before the arrival of early settlers, this region was part of the homeland of the Shoshone, Bannock, and Paiute Tribes. The byway eventually became a wagon route that provided access to remote ranches. You’ll find evidence of exploration and settlement: homesteads, cabins, small cemeteries, rock walls, cairns, historic cowboy and sheepherder camps, and Basque carvings on trees and rocks. 

Off-Road and In-Water

With access to four wilderness areas and three wild and scenic rivers, many opportunities for adventure lie beyond the main road. There’s hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, off-road trails, and multiple access points to the Owyhee River, which is known for its whitewater rafting. The North Fork Recreation Site is a launch point for kayakers eager to paddle Class IV rapids that run almost the entire length of the river. For a calmer backcountry experience, set up camp or enjoy a lunch break; there are picnic tables, fire grates, and a vault toilet at the site.

The region is also a birder’s dream. There’s a high likelihood you’ll spot species like the greater sage grouse and mountain bluebird and raptors such as hawks, falcons, and golden eagles. Birdwatchers appreciate the Al Larson Bluebird Trail, which runs along the byway between Nickel Creek and Pleasant Valley. Over 370 bluebird boxes have been installed here since 1991; look for white boxes on posts along either side of the road approximately a quarter of a mile apart.

A Mining Ghost Town

For the extra adventurous, consider a side quest to Silver City, which is located about five miles south of Murphy. This former settlement once served as a major mining center, but like many others, eventually went from boomtown to ghost town. Hundreds of surrounding silver and gold mines have been closed to the public due to safety hazards. Remarkably, the town hasn’t succumbed to development or wildfires, so 70 of its original buildings have been preserved. A glimpse into what life would’ve been like in a 19th-century mining community.

The longer you wander Silver City’s dusty streets, the more you’ll discover—like a schoolhouse, saloons, a Masonic Temple, and even a brothel. Don’t miss a stroll through Cemetery Gulch, where weathered marble and granite gravestones memorialize departed residents. You can also access hikes from downtown Silver City, such as the eight-mile Presby Creek loop. When it’s time to wind down, the historic Idaho Hotel’s lovingly restored guest rooms provide a welcoming sanctuary for visitors. (The hotel is open seasonally, and the town is usually only accessible during summer months, so plan accordingly.)

As your journey comes to a close, you’ll travel along Jordan Creek until reaching Jordan Valley. This valley once served as a supply depot for the region’s mines, with several isolated ranches remaining. The days of heavily mined silver and gold may be long past, but the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway holds other treasures— reminders of the West’s frontier spirit and the enduring wilderness in this captivating part of Idaho.