The wilderness area is named after and protects the upper Owyhee River, its tributaries, and the surrounding desert canyon landscape.

[citation needed] The Owyhee River Wilderness was created by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 and signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 30, 2009.

Although camping and fishing are allowed with proper permit, no roads or buildings are constructed and there is also no logging or mining, in compliance with the 1964 Wilderness Act.

Animals such as bighorn sheep, cougars, prairie falcons, bobcats, and pronghorn live through the region.

A variety of plant life such as lupine, Eriogonum salicornioides, Phacelia lutea var., and bitterroot can also be found in the area.