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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

John Day River

Boating General Information

Attention Boaters:

You are encouraged NOT to launch on Fridays or Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend through July 4th weekend. Launches and competition for campsites are extremely heavy on these days, but comparably light on other days. When planning your trip, please work around these dates, if you possibly can.


John Day River

Water Flows

The John Day River has no dams to control water flow; therefore flow levels fluctuate widely in relation to snow pack and rainfall. When planning a trip, it is a good idea to check flow levels regularly and be prepared to adjust trip dates if necessary.

The difficulty of rapids varies with river flow level. Prior whitewater boating skills are necessary to navigate all sections of the river. The most popular multi-day float trips are:

  • Service Creek to Clarno - Class II-III - 48 miles, average trip length = 3 days
  • Clarno to Cottonwood - Class II-IV (Clarno Rapid III-IV) - 70 miles, average trip length = 5 days

Recommended minimum flow levels are:

  • Drift boats- 800cfs
  • Inflatable rafts- 500cfs
  • Canoes- 300cfs
  • Inflatable kayaks- 200cfs

(Clarno Rapid (III-IV) can be unrunable at low water; scout left, portage on either side, line right. Canoeists floating at levels above 2,500 cfs should have whitewater experience and carry floatation bags.)


Trip Planning

Whenever possible, launching on Fridays and Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend through the end of June should be avoided due to crowded conditions and a lack of available campsites. During this time period, the best days to launch for a less crowded boating experience are Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

Private land is interspersed with public land in all river sections, so it is essential to carry a good map showing land ownership. Please respect private property by camping and hiking only on BLM lands. Prepare ahead to handle possible emergencies in a remote setting, as road access to the river is extremely limited and cell phone coverage is unavailable. The maximum party size is 16 persons between Service Creek and Cottonwood Bridge. Dogs are allowed and are not counted in party size limits. Due to high fire danger, campfires and charcoal fires are not permitted from June 1st to October 1st each year. Fishing regulations are available from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

All boaters are responsible for complying with the regulations listed in Boating Regulations and Leave No Trace.


Maps and Guidebooks

The BLM has two maps available of the John Day River. The 2004 Lower Deschutes and John Day Rivers map covers the mainstream between the town of Dayville and the Columbia River, including Service Creek to Cottonwood Bridge ($4). The 1991 Upper John Day River map covers portions of the North, Middle and South Forks, as well as the mainstream from the town of Kimberly upstream to the headwaters (free). The maps identify public and private land ownership, river miles and topography and are available by contacting the BLM at 541-416-6700 or by email at OR_Prineville_Mail@blm.gov.

The new John Day River Recreation Guide (with floater's guide) is available for purchase. Pick one up at the Prineville District Office (3050 NE Third St, Prineville OR 97754) or order by phone (541-416-6700). Cost is $5.00 per book. Visa/MC and debit cards accepted.

Currently, the following guidebooks are available through most bookstores. The first two books listed below contain valuable river logs with information on rapids and campsites for the John Day River and other Oregon rivers. The historical guide offers detailed information on the colorful history of the river canyon.

Oregon River Tours by John Garren
Garren Publishing, 1991, ISBN# 0-941887-01-4

Soggy Sneakers, A Guide to Oregon Rivers by Willamette Kayak & Canoe Club
Mountaineers Books, 1994, ISBN# 0-89886-330-9

John Day River Drift and Historical Guide by Arthur Campbell
Frank Amato Publishing, 1980, ISBN# 0-93660811-0