Three Forks Hike
The Three Forks Trail follows an old military wagon road along the mainstem Owyhee River.

Hike Rating: Moderate
Hike Length: 4.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 50’
Trailhead Elevation: 3,780’
Best Season: September, when days are
            cooler and river levels are lower
Driving Access: High-clearance vehicle


Plus Points
• Spectacular, 500'-high rhyolite cliffs and spires flank a placid blue-green river
• The mainstem Owyhee is designated as a Wild-and-Scenic River
• Three Forks is an historical river crossing, used by Native Americans and early pioneers
• The hiking is easy along the remains of an old military wagon road from the late 1800s
• Osprey, golden eagles and red-tailed hawks can be spotted soaring overhead
• Natural warm spring pools at the hike's end offer an enticing destination

Minus Points
• The final 1.4 miles of the access road is passable by high-clearance vehicles only
• Two knee-deep river crossings are required to complete the hike
• Rattlesnakes are a possibility throughout the summer, so caution is advised
• Solitude is not guaranteed, as campers and 4-wheelers frequently use the area

Download (PDF, 512 KB): Photos of Three Forks Hike
Download (PDF, 756 KB): Topo Map for Three Forks Hike
Download (PDF, 613 KB): Road Map for Three Forks Hike


Trail Notes
Map of Three Forks Trail
The hike starts 100 yards west of the public toilet building at Three Forks, in a large dirt parking area. The route then follows a sandy road southwest for about 0.2 miles to willow thickets near the confluence of the North Fork Owyhee and the main Owyhee River. The hike fords the North Fork (less than knee-deep in late summer), bushwhacks southwest up through willows, then crosses through tall reeds to a prominent line of big sagebrush at the bottom of the slope. Beware of stinging nettles near the river.

Once you reach the big sagebrush at the foot of the slope, about 100 yards from the river ford, you're on the old military wagon road and you'll find a prominent trail heading west into the canyon. The hike then follows this trail west, past an old wire fence and through big sagebrush to the edge of the main Owhyee River. For the next 1.3 miles, the trail is on the old military wagon road, built over stone embankments on the west and south side of the river, as it passes beneath dramatic, 500'-high cliffs of colorful rhyolite.

The hike ends at the natural pools of Warm Springs Creek, above the Owyhee River.
At about the 1.8 mile point, on a large river bend, the wagon road descends into the river channel and has been erased by flooding. The route here is cross-country to the west, through the willow thickets and across the knee-deep river. Once on the west bank, one enters an area burned by the massive Long Draw Fire in July 2012 and the old wagon road is easily seen as it climbs to the south along the river bank.

Follow the wagon road south through the burned area for about 0.3 miles until you arrive at Warm Springs Creek. Here, below the road, are a series of natural rock pools above a 10' waterfall with 95 degree water that is ideal for soaking your feet or body. Beware of poison oak here. It's also possible to have company at these warm pools as 4-wheel enthusiasts sometimes drive to the area just across the river. Return as you came.

Road to Trailhead
The trailhead parking area at Three Forks is only accessible by high-clearance vehicles.
On State Line Road (a.k.a. the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway), about 21 miles south of Jordan Valley or 9.2 miles north of the North Fork Campground, look for a major dirt road branching off southwest. If it's dry and hard, follow this road (a.k.a the Fenwick Ranch Road) for about 10 miles to an intersection, where signs point left (east) to Three Forks.

Drive about 2.7 miles further, staying on the primary route, until you come to a stock corral on the edge of the rim overlooking Three Forks. Those with low-clearance vehicles will need to park here and walk the 1.4 miles down to the trailhead, 900' below. High-clearance vehicles can navigate the steep, rocky track down to the river.

Camping Options
For tent campers with high-clearance vehicles: It's possible to camp right at Three Forks, either around the large flat parking area just west of the toilet building, or amidst willows near the confluence of the North Fork Owyhee and the mainstem Owyhee River. There is no drinking water or trash pickup at Three Forks, but there is the public toilet.

The North Fork Campground is nestled along the river below scenic rock pinnacles and rims.
The only developed campground in the area is the North Fork Campground, managed by the BLM. It's located about 30 driving miles south of Jordan Valley on the State Line Road (also known as the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway) and about 23 driving miles from the trailhead. This is a scenic campground on the North Fork Owyhee River, nestled next to the stream below tall rock pinnacles and rims. There are 7 free camp sites here that can accommodate anything from small tents to large RVs. Each site has a concrete pad with a picnic table, a fire ring and a cooking grill. The campground also offers vault toilets, but no drinking water.


Agency Contact: Vale BLM District, (541) 473-3144

DISCLAIMER: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, but the authors do not guarantee that it is either current or correct. The reader assumes full responsibility for any use of this information, and is encouraged to contact local federal land agencies to inquire about current conditions before traveling.

Page last updated: 1/18/13