The South Fork John Day River byway is in central Oregon about 140 miles south of Pendleton. It begins in Dayville at the intersection of Park Avenue and South Fork John Day Road. It travels south to the Malheur National Forest entrance, a few miles south of Izee. The byway is 50 miles long and follows CR 68 and South Fork John Day Road. Most of the byway is a gravel road, varying from a single lane to two lanes. South of Izee the road is paved. Sections of the byway may become impassable during winter or spring, otherwise it remains open all year.
The byway takes travelers through a scenic river canyon, along hillsides covered with sagebrush, juniper, and scattered stands of ponderosa pine. The canyon narrows as the byway climbs into higher elevations where the sagebrush and juniper landscape gives way to ponderosa pine and the occasional Douglas fir and white fir. Willows, shrubs, and hardwood trees line the banks of the river.
The byway passes Murderer’s Creek Wildhorse Management Area about ten miles south of Dayville. This 150,000-acre area is home to approximately 100 wild horses. It is also an excellent area for viewing mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. Other wildlife found in the area are black bear, coyotes, eagles, and hawks.
The South Fork of the John Day River flows alongside the byway from start to finish. This part of the river is a National Wild and Scenic River, preserving its free-flowing waters. All along the byway anglers are provided excellent opportunities for trout fishing. Private parcels of land do exist along the byway; obtain permission from land owners before crossing private property. The BLM has maps of the area that show public and private land.
About 23 miles south of Dayville is a primitive campground with sites for tents and recreational vehicles. There are no facilities available. Camping is also permitted nearly anywhere along the byway on BLM land.