John Day
3. Clarno to Cottonwood
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 68.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Permit | Online permit required from Recreation.gov year-round as reservations distributed on a rolling four month basis. |
| Gauge | John Day River at Service Creek, or |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 744 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 13, 2026 |
River Description
The John Day is one of the great river trips of the West which takes you down one of the lower 48's longest undammed rivers. Designated a Wild and Scenic River, the 70 mile section from Clarno to Cottonwood passes through remote canyon country with great camping and spectacular scenic vistas. This section is closed to jet boat use at all times (areas upstream and downstream are open to jet boats from October to April). Good weather and dependable flows make May and June the most popular time to float the river. Outside of the spring run-off you'll want to pay close attention to the river gauge as it usually too low to boat.
The river has less challenging rapids than nearby rivers like the Deschutes or Grande Ronde but the spectacular scenery makes this a great river trip with opportunities for hiking and exploring the canyons. Two named rapids are Clarno Rapid and Basalt Rapids. Clarno is 5 miles from the put-in and rates class III/IV with some big waves and a hole to avoid at high flows and rocks to navigate at lower flows. As long as you are paying attention, the rapid is easy to scout from river left. Marking the entrance to the canyons where you leave the ranch land, Basalt Rapids is class II. Most of the ranch country comes in the first few miles but there are parcels of private land along the length of the river.
The river is popular for fishing with the largest populations of wild spring chinook salmon and summer steelhead remaining in the Columbia River system. Smallmouth bass and channel catfish are non-native but support a vibrant fishery in the lower river.
Regs/Permits/Etc.: The BLM requires an online permit year round, a river toilet for overnight trips, and a fire pan for having fires outside the annual fire ban season. Visit Recreation.gov for day use permits and overnight permits. For further regulation
...River Features
Clarno Put-in
The Clarno put-in is on river right below the bridge.
Upper Clarno
Clarno Rapid starts with an upper section followed by the slightly more challenging lower section. Even at high flows you can eddy out between the two sections. River mile 104.8.
Lower Clarno
The lower section of Clarno Rapid is the most challenging drop on the run. At high flows you can find a clean line between a good-sized hole on the left and the big wave train down the middle. At lower flows you will need to thread your way through the rocks. It's easy to scout from river left. River mile 104.5.
Basalt Rapids
There is a straightforward line down the middle or you can sneak to the left between a large boulder and the left bank. River mile 92.9.
Thirtymile Access
River access on river right with primitive camping available.
Cottonwood Take-Out
Take-out is below the bridge on river right. No camping at the access site but camping is available nearby at Cottonwood Canyon State Park across the river.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThis is a great stretch of canyon: a true gem.
We ran it between 2500-3000k, second week of June, 2017 over five days. Great current at that level and fish were still caught. There were some rough upstream breezes on most days, especially later in the afternoon.
Everyone says that you can't drink the water and that you have to bring all of it. Not true. With alum crystal settling techniques (like they use in the Grand Canyon), a carbon filter on your water purification device, and a few drops of iodine, you are good to go. None of our 16 guys had any gut issues, and the water tasted fine.
Hammocking can be done, but can be a bit challenging at a couple of camps.
Enjoy!
Ran this section the first week of June. The level was 3800 cfs which was a very nice level. The first day we had very strong upriver winds all day but the rest of the trip we only had intermittent winds mostly late in the day. One day after pulling into camp we ended up getting about three hours of moderate rain, we were sitting under the canopy enjoying a cocktail and a 20 foot section of the columnar basalt on the opposite side of the river fell off the wall broke into three pieces and into the river. Wow! How often do you get to see that? Also observed many Big Horn Seep. This is a must do trip if you have done this one before. If your looking for white-water you will be disappointed. If your looking for an awesome five day scenery trip then the John Day is for you.
The take-out at Cottonwood on the downstream river right side of the bridge.
The take-out at Cottonwood is on the downstream river right side of the bridge.
The lower canyons of the John Day feature some outstanding examples of columnar basalt.
Columnar basalt on the John Day River.
Hundreds of cliff swallow nests can be seen hanging from basalt columns along the John Day River.
The Palisades on the John Day River at river mile 66.6.
A unique geologic formation visible on the John Day at river mile 60.
The John Day has some great hiking opportunities along the river where you can climb up for a view. This is the view looking downstream from above the camp at river mile 55.4 across from Little Ferry Canyon.
On the first few miles of this run the river passes through ranch land.
Ranch on the John Day River.
At Basalt Rapids you can take the line down the middle or sneak the main rapid by aiming for the narrow chute between the boulder and the left bank.
Below Basalt Rapids more mid-channel boulders create fun hydraulics at higher flows.
The ramp is located on the downstream river right side of the bridge.
At higher flows the rocks are well covered and there are some good-sized hydraulics but if you take the time to scout you can find the line.
Coming around the corner just downstream of Clarno Rapid.
At high flows there is an easy line down the left that sets you up for the eddy to scout Lower Clarno.
This is a nice run @ 3700.
Be on the lookout for these guys
View from Hoot Owl rock
Upstream of Clarno put in