The Middle Fork John Day River is a 73 miles (117.5 km) tributary of the North Fork John Day River

North Fork John Day River

The North Fork John Day River is a tributary of the John Day River in the U.S. state of Oregon. It begins in Grant County about northwest of Baker City near the crest of the Blue Mountains. It flows generally west to the community of Dale on U.S...

 in the U.S. state of Oregon

Oregon

Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...

. It originates in the Blue Mountain

Blue Mountains (Oregon)

The Blue Mountains are a mountain range in the western United States, located largely in northeastern Oregon and stretching into southeastern Washington...

s of northeast Oregon in the Malheur National Forest

Malheur National Forest

The Malheur National Forest is a National Forest in the U.S. state of Oregon. It contains 1.7 million acres in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. The forest include high desert grasslands, sage, juniper, pine, fir, and other tree species. Elevations vary from about 4000 feet to the 9038...

 near Austin

Austin, Oregon

Austin is an unincorporated community, considered a ghost town, in Grant County, Oregon, United States. It is located north of Oregon Route 7, near the Middle Fork John Day River in the Malheur National Forest.-History:...

 and flows generally west to the North Fork about 18 miles (29 km) above Monument

Monument, Oregon

Monument is a city in Grant County, Oregon, United States. The population was 151 at the 2000 census. It is located near the confluence of the North Fork and Middle Fork of the John Day River.-Geography:...

. The Middle Fork drainage basin covers about 806 square miles (2,087.5 km²).

The Oregon Scenic Waterways Program, administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department , officially known as the State Parks and Recreation Department, is the government agency of the U.S. state of Oregon which operates its system of state parks...

(OPRD) protects the river for most of its length. The state lists a 60 miles (96.6 km) segment of the Middle Fork from about 71 miles (114.3 km) from the mouth to about 11 miles (17.7 km) from the mouth as a Scenic River Area and the lower 11 miles (17.7 km) as a Natural River Area. People planning to cut trees, mine, build roads or structures, or to make other substantial changes within 0.25 mile (0.402335 km) of the river must first notify OPRD and seek its approval.