At 281 miles, the John Day is the longest undammed river in Oregon and one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the contiguous United States. The river cuts through the Painted Hills and high desert canyon country of central Oregon, offering multiday wilderness float trips through some of the most remote landscape in the Pacific Northwest. Fossils from the John Day Fossil Beds span 40 million years of evolution.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.