Monument | Oregon
Set along a quiet stretch of the North Fork John Day River, the Monument Boat Launch and Picnic Area offers primitive river access and a peaceful spot to picnic, relax in the grass, or wrap up a multi‑day boating adventure. Just outside the town of Monument, the site serves as a convenient stop for fishing, wildlife viewing, and exploring nearby public lands amid classic high‑desert canyon scenery. Small‑town services and access to surrounding scenic byways are only minutes away.
Know Before You Go
- Open year-round; there are no fees.
- Day use area has picnic tables, a primitive boat ramp, two vault toilets, a kiosk, and some shaded areas.
- No drinking water or utilities are available.
- No cell phone service here.
- There is no garbage service here; please pack out your trash.
- Pets area allowed on a leash or under physical control. Please pick up after your pet.
- No campfires.
- From June 1 though October 15 smoking is prohibited, except while in non-public buildings, closed vehicles, in boats on the water, or while standing in the water. Commercially manufactured metal camp stoves used for cooking and shielded lanterns fueled by propane or liquid fuel are exempt from okay to use.
Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)
There is no cell phone reception at this free day-use site.
The packed-gravel lot for this site has room for about 20 vehicles. There is 1 designated accessible parking space on a cement slab next to the restroom facility. This parking space has 2 access aisles for wheelchair vans.
A concrete walkway leads from the parking space to the accessible double-vault toilet. At the other end of the walkway is a partially shaded information kiosk and a picnic table.
Information posted near the top of the kiosk may be challenging to read from a sitting position. The picnic table, which sits on concrete, has a cut-out seat to accommodate mobility device users.
This site has no potable water.
Descriptions and photos uploaded October 2026. Please note that actual on-the-ground conditions may vary due to natural events (e.g., weather, wildfires, erosion), normal wear and tear, or site improvements.
Contact Us
Activities
Addresses
Geographic Coordinates
Directions
From Kimberly, Oregon: Drive 13.8 miles north on State Highway 402. Drive through the town of Monument and take a right before the bridge over the North Fork John Day River onto Cavender Lane. Drive .4 miles to the end of the road.
Fees
No fees.