John Day

1. NF John Day (Monument) to Service Creek

Reach banner
DifficultyI-II
Length43.5 mi
Avg Gradient7 fpm
GaugeJohn Day River at Service Creek, or
Flow Rate as of 1 hour
1350 cfsrunnable
Reach Info Last UpdatedFebruary 26, 2023

River Description

This section starts on the North Fork and continues on to the mainstem John Day. There is limited public land and few campsites on this reach, much of which is roadside through agricultural land, but there are a few small campgrounds along the way. There are alternate access points for shorter runs or this whole section can be used to weave together a long multiday adventure starting on the North Fork and continuing down the John Day.


River Features

Monument Park Put In

Distance: 0 mi
Monument Park Put In

River access site with a paved loop and parking for approximatley 40 vehicles, toilet, picnic tables, and information board. The ramp is a single lane gravel ramp that can get congested on busy weekends.

Lone Pine Campground

Distance: 13.56 mi
Access Point

Campground with access to the river administered by Bureau of Land Management. Located on river right.

Shady Grove

Distance: 22.34 mi
Access Point

Recreation site with toilet and picnic tables along the highway on river right.

Spray Campground

Distance: 29.58 mi
Access Point

Community park in the town of Spray with launch site, toilet, and campground.

Wooden Bridge Boat Launch

Distance: 38.3 mi
Access Point

Good river access but no toilet or camping available.

Muleshoe Campground

Distance: 41.06 mi
Access Point

Campground with toilet and river access.

Service Creek Take Out

Distance: 43 mi
Take Out

Access on river right upstream of the Highway 207 Bridge. Toilet and camping available.


A few photos from a North Fork Trip that ended in Monument to illustrate the site.