OwSR No. 10: Crooked River

Cataraft on No Name Rapid on the Crooked River

No Name Rapid on the Crooked River | Photo: Zach Collier

Quick Facts

  • Managing Agency: Prineville District (BLM) and Crooked River National Grassland (USDA Forest Service)
  • Lower Crooked Designated Stretch: National Grassland Boundary to Opal Springs (9.8 miles)
  • Chimney Rock Designated Stretch: Bowman Dam to State Scenic Highway 27 mile marker 12 (8 miles)
  • Designation Length: 17.8 miles (17.8 miles Recreational)
  • Lower Crooked Designation Outstanding Remarkable Values: Scenic, Recreation, Geology, Hydrology, Wildlife, and Botanical/Ecological
  • Chimney Rock Designation Outstanding Remarkable Values: Scenic, Recreational, and Fish Resource
  • Wild and Scenic River Designation: October 28, 1988

More Information

Celebrated by Emily Little, Dan Kaler, and Brian Thibeault by kayaking the Loewr Crooked on March 18, 2017.

Stories

Rafters on the Crooked RiverZach Collier: I was invited by the legendary Val Shaull to paddle the Crooked River from Lone Pine Bridge to China Dam. The Lower Crooked only has enough water to paddle a handful of days each year so I jumped at the chance. The whitewater was amazing but what really stood out was the amazing scenery. Floating through Smith Rock State Park was special as well as the vertically walled canyons downstream of Highway 26. It took us several trips to hike our catarafts out of the canyon below China Dam but we all agreed it was worth the effort.

Learn about Oregon Wild and Scenic River No. 11: The North Fork of the Owyhee River >>

Partners

Northwest Rafting Company Exploratory Division