[3] Between Canyon City and Burns, to the south, Route 395 passes through parts of the Malheur National Forest.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.41 square miles (3.65 km2), all land.

[9] Canyon City was established in June 1862 as a result of the discovery of gold in Canyon Creek, which flows from the south to meet the John Day River at John Day.

[10] As up to 10,000 miners flocked to Whiskey Gulch and other sections of the canyon during the early stages of the rush, land values between Canyon City and John Day rose to about $500 per square yard ($600/m2).

[10] Little of this estimated population influx is reflected in U.S. Census Bureau tallies for Canyon City, which have fluctuated between 250 and about 700 since 1870.

[10] Rossiter Raymond, the U.S. Commissioner of Mining Statistics, reported an average of $1.1 million a year between 1865 and 1870, afterward gradually tapering downwards.

[10] The figures given by Lindgren and Raymond were based on the fixed value of gold at $20.67 per ounce.

These figures indicate that gross gold production from Canyon Creek for the 40 years between 1862 and 1902 was approximately 800,000 ounces.

Many miners and others entered the area along a wagon road linking The Dalles on the Columbia River, with Canyon City.

[10] The biggest employer in Canyon City as of 2002 was the county government, which had employees in the courthouse, the jail, and the road and health departments.

The next three biggest were Grayback Forestry, a reforestation and fire-suppression company; Jackson Oil, a gas station, mini-mart, and office; and an Oregon Department of Transportation maintenance shop.