Trail Overview

Fisherman Road is a challenging rock and soil route that ascends from Lake Owyhee near Indian Creek Boat Ramp to intersect with FS 7306 in the highlands of Lake Owyhee State Park. As of 2026, this road is again open after a substantial closure in 2025. The route is unmaintained by Oregon State Parks, and route conditions cannot be obtained through BLM or State Park resources. The route is a single lane, rough, and off-camber in sections, but offers fantastic views of Owyhee Lake and the canyonlands around it. The route should be ascended from the lake, with several tight switchbacks and no room to turn around. Trailers and vans are not recommended, and it is advised to have a scout vehicle confirm the route is clear of rockfalls before committing a group to the route. There is a “gatekeeper” off-camber section near the bottom to determine if you wish to continue the route. Do not attempt in snowy, wet, or muddy conditions. There are no facilities of any kind, and this route is not patrolled. The route can be closed at any time

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Difficulty

Adverse weather conditions may increase trail difficulty. The trail is primarily gravel and soils that can become difficult mud in wet conditions

Technical Rating

Conor Kelly

Jul 08, 2026

2024 Ford F-Series

Open

Normal

Trail was rated a 3 so I figured I’d try it with my just added topper. Ran it from top to bottom. The only place to turn around is at the cattle catcher when you enter the trail or way below on the first switchback near the bottom. Wasn’t what I’d consider technical but the entire trail felt narrow in my rig. There was one point I was tipped 22 deg toward the downside and felt sketchy but that was it. There’s another tippy spot just after the creek but there was no cliff to fall of so seemed easy. Much of the trail is packed dirt but some of it has plenty of loose rocks that make it feel like you’re driving on marbles. Should be rated at least 4 in my opinion for the tippy section near the creek and the one nearer the top. When I see a green 3 rating I think of a forest road that a full size suv can run. This is not that. Is only a 3 in a JK or similar. OnX trail ratings will usually have this issue for me as there aren’t many people wheeling in a diesel F250.

Jeremy Niblett

Jul 03, 2026

2017 Jeep Renegade

Open

NormalRough/Deteriorated

Very cool trail that offers amazing views of the lake owyhee at the top, there is a really washed out spot right at the start that requires precise wheel placement. You can see in the last 2 photos me and my buddies had actually attempted this trail about 6 months ago in the winter in a 2wd jeep patriot, getting high centered almost immediately on the washed out spot and we were stranded for a few hours before someone finally came along and pulled us out. Id say this trail is more of a 4 or 5/10 instead of a 3/10. A 4x4 with high clearance is definitely recommended, if you can make it through the first washout you'll make the rest of the trail its only really bad at the start the rest is just a super rocky bumpy road up. I took this trail in a 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk and had no problems making it up besides at the start a rock somehow flung up into my break caliper and was making a screeching noise but we just took off the wheel and fixed it right up then continued on.

Steve Childs

Jun 28, 2026

2024 Subaru Forester

Obstructed

Lots of large rocks on the road that had to be moved, muddy patches and a significant water feature that were very difficult to get through. At some point we clipped a rock and damaged our transmission fluid pan causing it to leak. Certainly not a 3/10 difficulty, even in a more suitable 4x4 vehicle this would be a very difficult road.