John Day River: Itinerary and Trip Highlights

North-Central Oregon
5 days
April 1 - June 30
Class II

Book a John Day River Rafting Trip
John Day Rafting Trip Schedule & Prices

 

 

First morning - Upper Canyon  and Combo trips

We meet at 8:00 AM on the date your trip begins at the Service Creek Trading Post, 300 yards north of the river, at the junction of Highways 19 and 207, in Service Creek, Oregon. Service Creek is roughly 250 miles southeast of Portland. (Please have your breakfast before our meeting time.) Here you'll meet our Lead guide and crew. After a brief orientation you will pack your things into our river bags, and park your vehicles nearby. (Our shuttle service will transport your car to our take-out.) We'll then conduct a safety briefing, which will include instruction on paddle and rowing techniques as needed. We’re normally on our way downstream by mid-morning.

First morning - Lower Canyon trip

We'll meet at 8:00 AM at the U.S. Forest Service Boat Launch Area at Clarno, where Oregon Highway 218 crosses the John Day River. Clarno is roughly 165 miles southeast of Portland. (Please have your breakfast before our meeting time.) Here you'll meet our Lead guide and crew. After a brief orientation you will pack your things into our river bags, and park your vehicles nearby. (Our shuttle service will transport your car to our take-out.) We'll then conduct a safety briefing, which will include instruction on paddle and rowing techniques as needed. We’re typically on our way downstream by mid-morning.

On the river

Each day is a bit different. But a typical day on the river begins with freshly brewed coffee around 7 AM, and breakfast by 8 AM. After breakfast we’ll pack our bags and load the boats. Then, after a brief orientation to the day’s adventures, we’ll head downstream.

We’re on the river an average of three to four hours per day. Along the way we stop for a riverside picnic lunch. We may also stop to explore historic sites. We usually arrive in camp by mid to late afternoon, and while the guides prepare hors d’oeuvres and dinner, you’ll have time to explore, read, or nap. (There are a few good hikes, but for the most part hiking opportunities are limited.)

Last day - Upper Canyon trip

We typically arrive at Clarno bridge, our take-out point, between 2:00 and 3:30 P.M.. Your car will be waiting for you there, and once you've unpacked your river bags, you'll be on your way.

Last day - Lower Canyon and Combo trips

We plan to arrive at Cottonwood bridge, our take-out point, between 2:30 and 3:30 P.M.. Your car will be waiting for you there, and once you've unpacked your river bags, you'll be free to be on your way.

Weather and Climate  

The weather John Day River is usually very pleasant. This is a semiarid environment: hot and dry summers are the norm. However, cool and windy weather is a possibility, even in May and June, and clear desert skies often makes for cool evening temperatures.

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