John Day is a scenic, small-but-charming gateway to the John Day Fossil Beds and the John Day River—perfect for multi-week stays with daily hiking, trout fishing, scenic drives, cozy cafés, a friendly downtown and occasional community events, all with a lower cost of living that helps longer assignments feel like a real getaway.
While quieter than Oregon’s bigger towns, the area’s draws—world-class paleontology sites, wide-open high‑desert landscapes and easy access to backcountry trails—mean you won’t be stuck with nothing to do and can build a restorative routine between shifts.