The South Fork John Day River Back Country Byway begins in Dayville and runs through a deeply cut canyon, parallel to the South Fork John Day River, which is designated a Wild and Scenic River. The Dayville Community Hall was built in 1920 by community shareholders and reopened after renovations in July 2022. If you’re considering Dayville for a trip to this area, you can focus on the route, wildlife viewing, or local history.

The Byway, the Canyon, and Two River Names

The Byway is a gravel road suitable for most passenger vehicles. However, some sections are only wide enough for one vehicle. Since road conditions can change, it’s a good idea to check them before you set out.

Nearby, 47 miles of the South Fork John Day River are designated as a Wild and Scenic River. The northern endpoint of this river section is 4.7 miles south of Dayville, on South Fork Road. The John Day River also flows right past Dayville. The Byway and the designated river section both relate to the South Fork John Day River; the John Day River flows directly past Dayville.

Wildlife Viewing and Trails Nearby

The nearby Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area offers year-round birdwatching. Bighorn sheep can also be seen there in winter and early spring. Birdwatching is possible year-round; in winter and early spring, you can also look for bighorn sheep.

For hiking, the nearby Sheep Rock Unit has seven trails ranging from 0.25 to 3.25 miles long. Also nearby, the Thomas Condon Visitor Center displays more than 500 fossil specimens from the John Day Fossil Beds.

Local History and Places to Visit

The Dayville Community Hall was built in 1920 by community shareholders. Its first event was the Armistice Day Dance that same year, which remained a Dayville tradition for many decades. After renovations, the hall reopened in July 2022.

The historic Dayville Mercantile is another local stop. Since 1896, it has welcomed travelers with gifts, traditional sweets, groceries, and local products. It is located near the Painted Hills. Homemade pie is the specialty at the Dayville Cafe.

The region also has another historical connection to cycling tourism. Beginning in 1973, the Dayville Community Church was used as a hostel for cyclists on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. When planning your trip, you can choose to focus on riding the Byway’s gravel road, which is one-lane in places, or hiking in the Sheep Rock Unit, which has seven trails ranging from 0.25 to 3.25 miles.

Discover more destinations: Long Creek, John Day.

For the broader travel overview: Grant County.