Nestled in the heart of Oregon, the John Day River Basin is a tapestry of natural wonders, rich geologic history, and breathtaking landscapes waiting to be explored.

From the vibrant hues of the Painted Hills to the rugged canyons carved by the Wild & Scenic John Day River, this region offers a captivating journey through time.

As longer and warmer days approach, here are four adventures to embark on this spring and summer in the John Day River Basin.

Weekend outdoor conditions

Central Oregon trail conditions: Central Oregon area mountains get fresh snow; Cascade View trails in good shape

North Fork John Day

The John Day River is Oregon’s longest free-flowing river. This means it flows undammed from its headwaters in the Blue Mountains all the way to its confluence with the Columbia River.

Up in the headwaters, the North Fork John Day flows through vast Wilderness and roadless areas and creates the perfect setting for a multi-day river trip in one of Oregon’s most remote landscapes.

The North Fork John Day and its tributaries provide critical spawning habitat for spring Chinook salmon and threatened mid-Columbia steelhead, and are home to several native trout species to cast a fly line at.

South Fork John Day

The South Fork John Day Back Country Byway is a 50-mile gravel road that parallels the Wild & Scenic South Fork John Day River and offers plentiful dispersed camping opportunities with stunning views of the river and surrounding basalt canyons.

Make sure to bring your hiking shoes and binoculars as the nearby Black Canyon Wilderness and Murderers Creek area provide ample opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing for deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and upland birds.

Painted Hills

No journey to the John Day basin is complete without a stop at the enchanting Painted Hills.

As you walk through the winding paths of the Painted Hills, you will be greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors — vibrant reds, ochre yellows, and earthy browns — painted across the hillsides.

These mesmerizing patterns are a testament to the geological forces that shaped this landscape over millions of years.

Wild and Scenic Lower John Day River

One of Oregon’s renowned river trips, the Wild and Scenic Lower John Day River is full of rugged canyons, breathtaking vistas of towering cliffs, Indigenous American pictographs, and abundant wildlife.

The most popular section for paddlers is the stretch from Clarno Bridge to Cottonwood Bridge. While much of this stretch involves easy Class-I rapids, the Clarno Rapids (just downstream of Clarno Bridge) can be up to Class III-IV, providing some excitement for more experienced paddlers.

Learn more about the preserving the basin

As you enjoy the natural beauty of the John Day River Basin, whether from a boat, a trail, or your car, make sure to take time to appreciate the efforts that went into keeping this river system wild and free-flowing.

Portions of the lower John Day, upper North Fork, and South Fork were designated as national Wild & Scenic Rivers in 1988.

Today, we have another historic opportunity to protect more of the John Day watershed through Senator Wyden’s River Democracy Act. This bill would protect additional stretches of the mainstem rivers as well as important tributaries such as Thirtymile Creek, Bridge Creek (next to the Painted Hills), Murderers Creek, the lower North Fork, and numerous others for fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities and natural splendor.

If you are interested in learning more about the John Day River Basin, register for Oregon Wild’s Wild Wednesday webcast at 6 p.m. April 3 at oregonwild.org. Nicholas Famoso, paleontology program manager for the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, will lead a journey through the rich and unique geologic and natural history of the basin.