John Day River Basin

Steve Roelof   Website

John Day River Basin

voices

Terry Butler, 2018 Volunteer of the Year

Terry Butler, 2018 Volunteer of the Year

“If I have to pick a favorite place in Oregon’s high desert, it would be Sutton Mountain, but I’m excited about all of the Wilderness Study Areas,” says Terry, adding, “Each is a gem to explore, and I hope they all get protection someday… I love the scale of the physical beauty of the desert.”

watch

Stewardship Pronghorn Fence

Stewardship Pronghorn Fence

fact

Western Rattlesnake

Western Rattlesnake

Also known as the Great Basin Rattlesnake, these pit vipers have buff-tan coloring and small, oval blotches to blend into their arid surroundings. Small heat-sensing indentations on each side of the snake’s snout detects warm-blooded prey for better striking accuracy in the dark. Source: The Oregon Encyclopedia

Latin name: Crotalus oreganus lutosus

Home to Wild Waters

The ruggedly beautiful John Day River Basin holds mountainous terrain, steep river canyons, and rich wildlife habitat.

Absent of dams and among the longest free-flowing rivers in the nation, the John Day River is home to wild steelhead, Chinook salmon, bull trout, westslope cutthroat, and interior redband.

Sutton Mountain

Jim Davis   Website

Horseshoe Bend

Spring Basin

Jim Davis   Website

Lower John Day

Steve Roelof   Website

Spring Basin

Jim Davis   Website

Cottonwood Canyon

Jessica Brothers

A Record of Ancient History

The John Day River Basin is a geologic wonder, where Oregon’s ancient history is on display. The region’s famous John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a starting point for exploring 50 million years of natural wonders.

Preserving a Native Fish Stronghold

For decades, Oregon Natural Desert Association has aimed to protect and restore this region’s natural legacy. From critical habitat for fish and wildlife, to the captivating experience the region offers visitors and beyond, the John Day River Basin is worthy of strong conservation action. ONDA’s vision for new protections centers on Sutton Mountain, with more potential in the Lower John Day and in the areas known as Horse Heaven and Cathedral Rock.

Jim Davis   Website

Sutton Mountain

At 4,700 feet tall, Sutton Mountain towers over the surrounding landscape. With a steep, craggy west side and a rolling, grassy eastern face, the mountain has a mysterious Jekyll and Hyde quality. Sutton Mountain is home to bountiful wildflowers in the spring and vibrant herds of pronghorn, elk, and mule deer. Here solitude is...

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Tyler Roemer   Website

Horse Heaven and Cathedral Rock

Deep canyons, remnant old-growth pine forests, and rolling hills covered with juniper, sagebrush, and bunchgrass define the character of the remarkable public lands included in the Horse Heaven and Cathedral Rock proposed wilderness areas.

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Greg Burke   Website

Lower John Day

Drawn to the exhilarating rapids, remote canyons, and thriving fishery, more than 10,000 people float the 72-mile long Clarno to Cottonwood stretch of the Lower John Day River each year.

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Our favorite places in the John Day River Basin

Senator Merkley Steps Up
for Sutton Mountain

Today, Sen. Jeff Merkley, announced that he will introduce the Sutton Mountain and Painted Hills Area Preservation and Economic Enhancement Act that would establish the Sutton Mountain Wilderness to protect an area in the John Day River Basin renowned for spectacular scenery and prime wildlife habitat. “With this legislation, we’ll make sure that future generations […]

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Advancing conservation priorities

Oregonians love our land, and there is a lot to love. Millions of acres of public land across Oregon’s high desert enhance our lives every day. And, these lands aren’t just ours. Public lands in Oregon are a natural legacy shared by all Americans. Without active caretaking, we stand to lose places we cherish, but, […]

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