Oregon whitewater, John Day River - North Fork Grant Umatilla county, Route 52 Bridge to Dale section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II-III     41 miles   If you're coming from Pendleton-Hermiston it's not a long drive at all to the put-in location, if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. The natural beauty of Oregon and the sparkling of the sunlight on the water are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. The Route 52 Bridge to Dale stretch of John Day River - North Fork is 41 miles long and is a class II-III section of whitewater according     to American Whitewater. Whether you're whitewater rafting or kayaking there are not so many other good rivers for that around here. A stretch of this length does require some preparations, so it looks like you will be camping out. If you've been out of state whitewater rafting and kayaking you might find the rivers here more demanding, so you'd better keep in mind that a large number of rivers in this state are not easy. Getting your paddling muscles activated and a chance to spend some time outdoors have a lot of people coming here. You might have to settle for a hotel a bit away from the river if you want to stay the night, but if you don’t have reservations   you might end up sleeping in your car. There are a few other sections in this river system that can be paddled as well. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. The beautiful Blue Mountains scenery is an added bonus. Briefly about the general area: Good hiking is available along the Cougar Creek Trail, and there's perfect hiking along the Kelsay Butte Trail. You'll truly wish for more hours in a day to enjoy all the entertaining things in the Blue Mountains. Not much rainfall falls here at John Day River - North Fork. The wettest month of the year is ordinarily November, that's the one that rains the most; the driest month of the year is July. John Day River - North Fork, Route 52 Bridge to Dale road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near John Day River - North Fork.   Whitewater Near John Day River - North Fork: John Day River - North Fork, Grant/ Umatilla County, 19 miles away       Class II-III - 41 miles long (Route 52 Bridge to Dale) John Day River - North Fork, Grant County, 19 miles away       Class II - 44 miles long (Dale to Monument) Grande Ronde River, Union County, 21 miles away       Class II-IV - 17 miles long (Tony Vey Meadow to Red Bridge State Park) Grande Ronde River, Union County, 28 miles away       Class II - 8 miles long (Red Bridge State Park to Hilgard Junction State Park)   Ski Areas Near John Day River - North Fork: Anthony Lakes, Oregon , 30 miles away, 900 foot drop, 3 lifts, 21 runs Spout Springs, Oregon , 58 miles away, 600 foot drop, 2 lifts, 14 runs Bluewood, Washington , 79 miles away, 1125 foot drop, 3 lifts, 23 runs   Hotels Near John Day River - North Fork: Rugged Country Lodge, Pendleton , 32 miles away Best Western John Day Inn, John Day , 33 miles away Holiday Inn Express PENDLETON, Pendleton , 35 miles away Super 8 Pendleton, Pendleton , 35 miles away Best Western Pendleton Inn, Pendleton , 35 miles away   Campgrounds Near John Day River - North Fork: Winom Creek, Ukiah, 3 miles away Oriental, Ukiah, 4 miles away Big Creek Meadows, Ukiah, 5 miles away   Trails Near John Day River - North Fork: Cougar Creek Trail, Grant , 1 miles away,  13 hiking miles, 2106 feet elevation difference Kelsay Butte Trail, Grant , 2 miles away,  7 hiking miles, 884 feet elevation difference Corral Creek Trail, Grant , 3 miles away, 7.3 hiking miles, 2646 feet elevation difference Basin Creek Trail, Grant , 3 miles away,  5.8 hiking miles, 622 feet elevation difference Pearson Trail, Umatilla , 3 miles away, 5.5 hiking miles, 926 feet elevation difference Old Desolation Driveway Trail, Grant , 3 miles away, 3.1 hiking miles, 2238 feet elevation difference Glade Creek Trail, Grant , 4 miles away,  13.6 hiking miles, 2882 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near John Day River - North Fork: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Kimberly - OR , 64 miles away Red Bridge State Park, Oregon , 29 miles away Hilgard Junction State Park, Oregon , 36 miles away