John Day River pic

Welcome to the John Day River Permit website

Launch permits for Segments 2 and 3 will be available beginning March 1, 2012, at 7 A.M. PST and continuing through July 10, 2012.

50% of the available permits for each date will be released on March 1 at 7 A.M. PST, and 50% will be released on May 1 at 7 A.M. PST.

Permit Overview
An advance launch permit is required to boat the John Day River between May 20 and July 10 within Segment 2 (Clarno to Cottonwood) and Segment 3 (Service Creek to Clarno), for both day-use and overnight trips. Only one launch permit is required per group, with a maximum group size of 16 persons. There will be no fees charged for permits in 2012.

The launch limits are designed to reduce crowding on the Wild and Scenic River and ensure that overnight boating groups are able to find a suitable campsite on public land each night of their trip.

Trips launching before May 20 or after July 10, and all trips that do not travel any distance between Service Creek (River Mile 157) and Cottonwood Bridge (River Mile 40), do not require an advance permit and boaters may obtain a self-issue permit at the launch site.

For short day trips taking place completely within Priest Hole Recreation Site (a distance of one mile between River Mile 136.5 and 137.5), self-issue permits may be obtained at Priest Hole.

Launch Permit Availability
Launch permits will be released in two batches, on March 1 and May 1, to accommodate both long-range and short-range planners. Approximately one half of the launch permits available for each date during the primary boating season (May 20 to July 10) will be released on March 1 at 7 A.M. PST. The second half of the launch permits will be released on May 1 at 7 A.M. PST.

When all launch permits for a specific date have been issued, additional launch permits will become available when 1) a trip leader cancels a permit, 2) BLM cancels a permit that was obtained by fraudulent means, or 3) a permit is automatically re-deposited if not confirmed by the confirmation deadline; 10 days prior to the trip date.

Available Launches Per Day
Segment 2 - All trips launching from Clarno or Thirtymile 9
Segment 3A - Overnight trips launching from Muleshoe or Service Creek 9
Segment 3B - Overnight trips launching from Twickenham, Priest Hole or Lower Burnt Ranch 10
Segment 3 - Day-Use trips launching between Muleshoe and Clarno 24

Trip Leaders and Alternate Trip Leaders
A trip leader may name up to three alternate trip leaders per launch permit. Either the trip leader or one of the alternate trip leaders must present a picture ID at the launch point and be present on the entire river trip. Alternate trip leaders must be listed at the time the permit is first reserved.

Each person may be named as either a trip leader or an alternate trip leader on one overnight trip and up to three day-use trips at a time. To be named as a trip leader or an alternate on an additional permit, that person will need to either cancel one permit or complete one river trip.

Confirmation Requirement
A trip leader who reserves a launch permit will be required to return to the website to confirm their reservation between 30 and 10 days prior to their trip date. Reserved permits that are not confirmed by 10 days prior to the trip date will be re-deposited and made available to another user. Complete confirmation instructions will be provided when you reserve a permit.

Permit Regulations
Boaters must comply with all permit regulations. It is important to become familiar with the permit regulations as you plan your trip so you are prepared with the required boating equipment when you arrive at the launch point.

Permit regulations are listed here http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/johnday/regulations.php

For more information on John Day River Boater Permits please visit http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/johnday/permits.php

For questions about how obtain a launch permit please contact the BLM at BLM_OR_PR_JDRiverStudy@blm.gov or 541-416-6700.