John Day River

River in north-central Oregon. From its source near Canyon City, it flows for some 450 km/280 mi before joining the Columbia River 45 km/28 mi east-northeast of The Dalles.

The river rises near the Strawberry Mountain peak in the Blue Mountains range, and then winds north and west past the trading and ranching city of John Day; population (1990) 1,800. Both the river and the city were named after a renowned frontiersman of the early 19th century. Other towns on the river's course include Kimberly, Spray, and Clarno.