The Black Canyon Wilderness of Oregon is a wilderness area in the Ochoco National Forest. It is within the drainage basin of the South Fork John Day River. It lies in Grant and Wheeler counties in Oregon. The nearest city is Paulina, in Crook County. It was established in 1984 and encompasses 13400 acre.

Topography

The elevation ranges from 2850 to 6483 ft. There are about 17 mi of developed trail; 80 percent of the wilderness has a grade exceeding 30 percent, typically steep canyons and sharp ridges. Three sides of the canyon reach elevations to 6000 ft, while waters in the gorge have downcut through basalt lava, emptying into the South Fork John Day at 2800 ft.

Flora and fauna

Much of the Black Canyon Wilderness consists of a dry sagebrush environment, but ponderosa pine, mountain mahogany, juniper, and fir forests can also be explored. A wide range of vegetative conditions in the wilderness provide habitat for nearly 300 different species of wildlife, including black bear, cougar, deer, elk, and rattlesnake. Steelhead trout can be found in perennial streams, which they use for spawning. Wildflowers such as crimson columbine, lupine, and Indian paintbrush flourish throughout the wilderness.