John Day Day Use Permit: Route and Dates
John Day Day Use permits are first-come, first-served in Pacific Northwest Rivers.
This guide covers the John Day River Day Use permit.
$6 reservation fee, plus a $10 per group recreation fee for high-season day trips
Permit Cost
1 day
Duration
moderate
Difficulty
About John Day Day Use
One-day float on Oregon's longest free-flowing river. You book a launch segment and a date, and the desert canyon between Service Creek and Tumwater Falls is yours for the day.
The John Day Day Use route
- Route type
- point-to-point
- Trip length
- 1 day
- Difficulty
- moderate
John Day Wild and Scenic River. Nearest town: Fossil
John Day Day Use permit detailsandAll Pacific Northwest Rivers permits
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100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a John Day Day Use permit?
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John Day Day Use permits are available first-come, first-served. They can be booked online when they become available. Popular dates fill quickly.
When is the best time to visit John Day Day Use?
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BLM says May through late June usually has the best flows. Fall high season on Segments 1A and 1B runs September 1 to November 30 with a much smaller group limit.
How difficult is the John Day Day Use route?
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This is a moderate route, requires good fitness and some outdoor experience.
Don't Miss Your John Day Day Use Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors John Day Day Use availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit AlertsSet your John Day Day Use alert from your phone.
Someone cancels, and the opening shows up on your Lock Screen with the booking page one tap away.
