Pillars of Rome

The pioneers who passed this way thought they were looking at the ruins of a temple. They weren't — but you can see why they reached for the comparison. The Pillars of Rome rise from the desert floor like a colonnade left behind by some lost civilization.

Near the tiny community of Rome, on the banks of the Owyhee River in southeastern Oregon, a long wall of pale clay cliffs stands eroded into columns and buttresses. They were striking enough that early settlers named the place after the Roman ruins they evoked. This guide covers what they are, why they're worth a stop, how to find them, and how to fold them into a larger Owyhee trip.

What are the Pillars of Rome?

The Pillars are a formation of light-colored clay and sedimentary rock, roughly a hundred feet tall and stretching for several miles, that erosion has sculpted into vertical columns and fluted walls. The pale stone against the sagebrush and big desert sky gives them an almost monumental quality — hence the name, which carried over to the nearby settlement of Rome and the historic Rome Station along the highway.

Unlike the volcanic drama of Leslie Gulch, the Pillars are quieter and softer — a study in pale tones and long horizontal lines, best appreciated when low-angle light rakes across them and throws the columns into relief. They're also refreshingly easy to reach, which makes them a perfect first taste of the canyonlands.

Why it's worth the trip

The Pillars are the most approachable wonder in the area — a high-impact stop that doesn't demand a four-wheel-drive epic. Here's the draw:

• Easy access. Unlike most Owyhee destinations, the Pillars are close to Highway 95, so you can see them without committing to hours of dirt road.
• The light. Sunrise and sunset turn the pale cliffs warm and throw the columns into dramatic shadow — a photographer's reward for timing it right.
• The history. This was a landmark on the old emigrant routes and remains a waypoint into the Owyhee country today.
• The quiet. Even though they're easy to reach, you'll rarely share them with a crowd.

How to get there

This is the easy one. The Pillars of Rome are near the community of Rome, just off U.S. Highway 95 in southeastern Oregon — well within reach on mostly paved roads, making them one of the few Owyhee highlights you can see in an ordinary vehicle without a major backcountry drive. Local roads near the formation are unpaved, so a little care in wet weather still applies.

A few honest notes before you go:

• Mostly paved. The drive is far gentler than other Owyhee sites — but the closest viewpoints are reached on short dirt spurs that can get muddy when wet.
• Bring water and fuel. Even on the highway, this is remote country with services far apart. Top off in Jordan Valley before you head out.
• Respect private land. Some of the surrounding ground is private ranchland — view from the public road and signed access points.
• Time it for light. Midday flattens the cliffs; morning and evening make them sing.

When to go

The Pillars are visible year-round, but they're at their best in the low, warm light of early morning and late afternoon, when the columns cast long shadows. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures; summer middays are hot and wash out the cliffs' texture. Because access is mostly paved, this is one of the few Owyhee stops that's reasonable even in the cooler shoulder seasons.

See it before you go

Here's a short look at the cliffs and the river that runs beneath them, to help you plan the stop:

Make the Pillars of Rome part of a bigger trip

Rome is the launch point for Owyhee River rafting trips and a natural gateway deeper into the canyonlands. From here it's an easy add-on to a bigger loop taking in Birch Creek, Leslie Gulch, the Owyhee River, and — for the well-prepared — the remote hot springs at Three Forks. Make a few days of it.

Image credits

• Hero — "Pillars of Rome rock formations, Malheur County" by Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives. Source via DPLA / Wikimedia Commons. Used under CC BY 4.0; cropped and resized.
• Pillars with rabbitbrush — "Pillars of Rome rock formations, Malheur County" by Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives. Source via DPLA / Wikimedia Commons. Used under CC BY 4.0; cropped and resized.
• Pillars close-up — "Pillars of Rome rock formations, Malheur County" by Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives. Source via DPLA / Wikimedia Commons. Used under CC BY 4.0; cropped and resized.