The John Day River basin drains nearly 8,100 square miles of central and northeast Oregon. It is one of our nation’s longest free-flowing river systems. Elevations range from 265 feet at the confluence with the Columbia River to over 9,000 feet at the headwaters in the Strawberry Mountain Range.

The John Day River system is fortunate to have designation under two important river preservation programs; the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. Together, these two acts, one a federal program and one a state program, provide the best protection available today for the natural, scenic, and recreational values of our river environments.

Recreation opportunities include hunting, fishing, sightseeing, horseback riding, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing, camping, and whitewater rafting.

Attention Boaters:

Advance permits are not required to float the John Day River.
However, we are encouraging folks 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. more>>

Navigability
The State Land Board asserted state ownership to the submerged and submersible land to the line of ordinary high water from River Mile 10 (Tumwater Falls) and 184 (Kimberly). For additional information contact the Department of State Lands at (503)378-3805 or visit the John Day Navigalbility Study