Owyhee to Wild Horse Reservoir

This route is the other way to head south from the Boise metro area. Normally folks head out 95 to Winnemucca or through Twin Falls to 93. Both are fine, but if you're looking for something a little off the beaten path, this route's for you.

Most of the road is out on the rolling grasslands and hills of Southern Idaho and Northern Nevada, but there's a glorious canyon section between Owyhee and Wild Horse Reservoir that is almost worth the extra two hours it adds to the trip to Las Vegas or to Southern California. Almost.

The turns are tight and twisty as you follow a lovely little creek through the canyon. You're mostly in 2nd gear, but there are some sections to shift up into 3rd. Traffic is usually minimal, and most of the folks I've gotten stuck behind pull over quickly.

Road surface is decent, watch for cattle guards and cattle on the road. Be on the lookout for police as you enter the Duck Valley Reservation lands; they like to pull speeders over as you're entering the different small towns on the reservation.