Oregon ยท John Day Wild and Scenic River
John Day River rafting trips
A spring float through a quiet central Oregon canyon, on 281 miles of free flowing river. Compare every outfitter we found.
3 to 9 days / 2 to 8 nightsQuick answer
Guided John Day River rafting trips run 3 days, 2 nights to 9 days, 8 nights, in May and June, on two sections: Service Creek to Clarno and Clarno to Cottonwood. There is no lottery; high season permits are first come, first served. We list 6 outfitters, and prices start at $1,099 per person (checked September 2026).
The route
Service Creek to Cottonwood
The upper section runs 48 miles to Clarno. Below it, Clarno Rapid starts a 70 mile run through the canyon to Cottonwood.
- Mile 0Service CreekLaunch
- Mile 48ClarnoClarno Rapid, Class III to IV, below
- Mile 118CottonwoodTake out
Section miles and classes from the BLM (48 miles, then 70 more). Outfitters run each section as its own trip, and some combine both. Camps are set by the outfitter.
Compare outfitters
Every John Day River outfitter we found
We found no agency list of John Day outfitters. This table comes from each outfitter's own site, including fishing floats, listed alphabetically.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per adult | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrowhead River Adventures | 3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Raft; kayak option | May and June | 3 | $1,0993 day, 2 night trip, 2026. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Arrowhead |
| Bend Fly Shop | 3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights (bass fishing) | Drift boat | May to July | Not listed | $1,650Per angler, 3 day, 2 night trip, 4 angler minimum; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Bend Fly Shop |
| Helfrich Outfitter | About 5 days, Clarno to Cottonwood | Raft | Not listed | Not listed | Price not shown on the page we checked. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Helfrich |
| Little Creek Outfitters | 4 to 5 days (bass fishing) | Raft | June and July | Not listed | Priced per day: $600 per angler per day (2025). Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Little Creek |
| Oregon River Experiences | 4 days, 3 nights to 9 days, 8 nights | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak, cataraft | May and June | 6 | $1,3054 day, 3 night trip, Service Creek to Clarno, 2027 dates. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Oregon River Exp. |
| Ouzel Outfitters | 3 to 5 days (2 to 4 nights) | Oar, paddle, inflatable kayak | May and June | 5 | $1,1593 day, 2 night trip, Twickenham to Clarno; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Ouzel |
"Not listed" means we could not find it on the outfitter's site in September 2026. Where a site gives days only, nights are days minus one. Fishing trips are priced per angler. Confirm when booking.
Missing an outfitter? Tell us.
The no lottery way in
Guided trip or private permit?
There is no lottery on the John Day. In high season, overnight permits are limited by launch site and released first come, first served. A guided trip skips the booking race.
No lottery
Book a guided trip
- How you get a spot
- Pick a date with one of the outfitters above and book it.
- Trip length
- 3 days, 2 nights to 9 days, 8 nights on the trips we checked.
- When
- May and June, before the river drops.
- Boats and food
- The outfitter brings the boats, guides, meals and camp.
Private permit
Reserve a high season permit
- High season
- May 1 to July 15, Service Creek to Tumwater Falls.
- Release
- 7 am Pacific, 4 months and 1 month ahead, on Recreation.gov.
- Fees
- $20 per overnight trip per group, plus a $6 reservation fee.
- Group size
- Up to 16 people; 14 day stay limit.
Sources: Recreation.gov John Day permit, the BLM John Day know before you go page and the National Park Service.
On the river
What a day on a John Day rafting trip looks like
The BLM rates the river Class II to III above Clarno and Class II to IV below, with Clarno Rapid the hardest water, so days leave room for side hikes and camp.
- Morning
Breakfast in camp, then everything packs back onto the boats.
- Midday
Riffles and flat water, with lunch on the bank.
- Afternoon
A side hike or an inflatable kayak, then camp.
- Evening
Dinner cooked by the guides and a quiet night in the canyon.
What outfitters list as included
- Guides, boats and life jackets
- Meals on the river
- Camp gear
- Transportation, on many trips
Arrowhead picks up in Redmond. Check each outfitter's list.
Worth checking before you book
- Permit fees
- Travel to Service Creek, Clarno or Redmond
- Sleeping bags
- Guide tips
More on camp life, meals and the toilet in river camping, and on tips in tipping your guides.
When to go
The John Day rafting season
The Park Service says the John Day usually becomes unfloatable by July 4th for most boats, and the BLM recommends at least 1,000 cfs for rafts. Outfitters run in May and June.
Plan early: the season is short, and high season permits are released 4 months and 1 month ahead. See when to go rafting.
Who it suits
Which John Day trip fits you
Families
Arrowhead takes kids from 3 and Ouzel from 5, on Class II to III water above Clarno. See family rafting trips.
Longer trips
Oregon River Experiences runs the whole river in 9 days, 8 nights. See week long rafting trips.
Anglers
Bass fishing floats run May to July. See fishing float trips.
Questions
John Day River rafting questions
How much does a John Day River rafting trip cost?
On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, trips list from $1,099 for a 3 day, 2 night trip with Arrowhead (2026) to $2,650 for Oregon River Experiences' 9 day, 8 night full river trip. Confirm when booking.
Is the John Day a lottery river?
No. In high season, May 1 to July 15 from Service Creek to Tumwater Falls, overnight permits are first come, first served on Recreation.gov, released at 7 am Pacific 4 months and 1 month ahead. A guided trip runs under the outfitter's own permit.
Which section should I float?
The BLM describes Service Creek to Clarno as Class II to III, 48 miles, 3 to 5 days, and Clarno to Cottonwood as Class II to IV, 70 miles, 4 to 10 days. Clarno Rapid, rated Class III to IV, is the hardest water.
When is the John Day season?
Late spring. The Park Service says the river usually becomes unfloatable by July 4th for most boats, and American Whitewater calls May and June the best months.
What is the minimum age?
Arrowhead lists 3, Ouzel 5 and Oregon River Experiences 6. The fishing outfitters do not list one.
Can I fish on a John Day trip?
Yes. Bend Fly Shop and Little Creek Outfitters run multi day bass fishing floats. See fishing float trips.
How big can a group be?
Up to 16 people, according to Recreation.gov, with a 14 day stay limit.
Are campfires allowed?
No wood or charcoal fires are allowed from June 1 to October 15, according to Recreation.gov. Outside that window, fires must be in a metal fire pan and the ashes carried out.
Free download
Get the Overnight River Trip Planner
A packing list for river and camp, plus the lottery dates for the season in one calendar.
Keep planning
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- Grande RondeA spring float in northeast Oregon
- 3 day rafting tripsTwo nights on the river
- Week long rafting tripsFive nights or more
- Family rafting tripsCompare minimum ages
- Fishing float tripsDrift boats and fishing rafts
- River campingTents, meals and the toilet
- Outfitter directoryEvery outfitter we list, by name
- Rafting trip costHow prices compare across rivers
- Plan your tripAll planning guides
Ready to book
Pick your John Day outfitter
Compare trip lengths, boats and minimum ages, then check dates directly with the outfitter.